Is being financially responsible sexy?
NEW YORK, Aug 8 (Reuters) – This was originally published in On the Money newsletter, where we share U.S. personal finance tips and insights every other week. Sign up here to receive it for free.
Who knew being financially responsible could be sexy?
Many Gen Z adults in the United States — those currently in their teens and 20s — are frugal daters these days as they struggle with the high cost of living, according to a new Bank of America survey.
According to a poll of more than 900 people between the ages of 18 and 28, more than 50% of respondents said they didn’t spend any money on dating at all. Of those who did, 25% of men and 30% of women spent less than $100 per month, the survey showed.
So where does their money go? More than half of the survey respondents said they were increasing their savings, while 24% were paying down debt as a way to improve their finances.
I posted this data on LinkedIn and asked readers to send me their cheap-date suggestions. I got some great responses, including “Make Lasagna” from Heather Bonparte, co-author of the upcoming book “Money Together, Opens a New Tab” with her husband Douglas, a New York-based financial advisor.
“When Douglas and I were young in the city and earning what seemed like negative money, making lasagna took time and care, and the reward was delicious,” she writes. “It was a lot cheaper than a fancy night out, and we could have leftovers for a week.”
Maureen Kerrig, a public relations consultant, offers these summer ideas:
Happy Hour: Always better than dinner. Grab a drink, share some apps, then go for a walk.
Farmers’ Markets and Outdoor Fairs: Buy a few items from local vendors to make a great meal at home.
Movie Nights: Many parks offer free outdoor movie nights during the summer.
I’ll also throw a free concert into the mix. Bring a picnic blanket, some wine, and snacks. Any other suggestions? Write to me at the email address below.
I don’t have cheese
While I haven’t written about tariffs for a while, the recent news that Switzerland will be imposing import taxes on cheese caught my eye, especially since my sandwich today included … Swiss cheese! Plus, my favorite cheese on earth is called Alp Blossom, opens in a new tab.
Alas, Switzerland was reeling from the news of the 39% tariff this week — the Swiss government thought it had struck a deal for lower-level duties.
And here’s a fun fact: The United States is the main market for Swiss cheese, buying 11% of Swiss cheese exports like Gruyere and Emmentaler last year, according to Swiss customs data.
