LIFESTYLE

Soaring prices caused by inflation impact the dating game

Kathryn Nickell

MIDLAND – They say love doesn’t cost a thing, but dating in 2022 with inflation currently at a 41-year high is pricey. From rent prices to the grocery store, inflation has impacted almost every aspect of Americans’ lives. Love lives included.

The latest Lending Tree Survey, which polled 1,578 U.S. consumers on their dating habits, found that Americans, on average, are currently spending about $91 per date.

“Everything is getting more expensive,” Lending Tree’s chief credit analyst Matt Schulz said. “It’s not just the new clothes, roses, ride-share, fancy dinner, concerts, or the after-show coffee, it’s all of it. Even a quiet night at home with a bottle of wine and some takeout is pricier than it used to be.”

“The extra cost of each of these things individually may not be earth-shattering,” Schulz continued. “But added together, they can be a very big deal, especially when you’re living on a budget.”

About one in five surveyed said they are now going on fewer dates because of inflation, and 77% of daters say dating would be easier if they had more money.

Another 14% said they are trying to spend less money on dates, and 4% said they are getting more selective about who they are going on dates with.

Additionally, 6% shared that they have had their card declined on a first date.

Rising costs are making it harder to pay for dates, leading singles to rethink how they pursue romantic interests, and some choose not to date. Many single individuals are content with holding back on scheduling dates to prevent themselves from spending money on clothing, gas, public transportation, dinner and drinks, outings, and more.

“Dating has always been expensive,” Schulz said. He noted that most daters may already have kids, student loan debt, and a higher rent payment. “Throw rampant inflation into the mix, and it can make an already challenging situation even tougher.”

Shawn Connor, 25, is a local single from Midland shared that inflation has affected him greatly, and he can not imagine trying to date right now.

“I just can’t go on dates or potentially date anyone right now,” Connor explained sadly. “I am not financially stable to be able to give my partner everything they would need and deserve.

“I can barely afford groceries for myself with the rise of prices,” Conner continued, “I quit buying meat altogether for meals because it is too expensive, and I can buy more veggies for the same price. I have lost about 30 pounds this year because of not being able to afford groceries; there is no way I would try to date someone knowing I am barely getting by myself.”

Like virtually everything this year, dating has become significantly more expensive across the board for singles due to inflation. But that is not the only daters inflation has affected, established couples are also feeling the hit.

Riann Svejcara, 25, and Owen Strong, 23, are a couple from Mt. Pleasant who have been dating for two years. At the beginning of their relationship, they went on multiple weekly dates to upscale restaurants, shows, and exciting activities. But what happens when the shadow of money looms large over even the most well-intentioned romantic relationships?

“It has been really challenging,” Svejcara said. “We don’t go on dates anymore. We occasionally will cook meals together, but for the most part, we play board games, video games, and watch movies at home.”

Strong says it has been difficult having to shift his mindset from being able to spend his money freely to having to prioritize both time and finances to save money. Rent, gas prices, bills, and groceries have all played a vital role in dating in his relationship.

“I like the finer things in life, especially going out to nice dinners,” Strong explained. “Now, even when I try to save money by buying groceries and cooking at home, an average dinner still costs $30. How is that even helping me save money when grocery prices are so high along with everything else?”

riann sveJcara and owen strong enJoying one another’s company around a bonfire; photo credit kathryn nickel

Date night ideas that don't drain the bank

Dating in the age of inflation may be challenging, but that doesn’t mean your love life should suffer. It’s time to get creative with wallet-friendly date night activities.

Get outside together and go sledding! Many local parks with great sledding hills are available in the Tri-Cities: Veterans Memorial Park in Bay City, City Forest in Midland, and Hoyt Park in Saginaw. Warm up afterward with a hot chocolate.

Movie ticket costs are rising, but if you’re a fan of a classic movie date, there is still a budget-friendly option. Every Tuesday, all movie tickets cost $5 at Quality 10 in Saginaw and $6 at NCG Cinemas in Midland for both matinee and evening shows.

Suppose you are interested in an artistic date. In that case, Painterly Pottery in Bay City offers “Ten Buck Tuesday” every Tuesday that allows you to choose a featured pottery item, head to the color bar and choose from over 80 glaze colors, find a comfortable seat for you and your date, and start painting! The $10 includes all materials, studio time, and artwork processing.

A dinner date might be hard to afford nowadays, but The Taste of Midland and The Taste of Bay City have got you covered! Tacos are only $1 every Tuesday in Midland and every Wednesday in Bay City’s location.

Try cooking a new recipe using only ingredients you have at home. Create a contest to see who can decorate the best cookies. Go ice skating together at a local park. Or volunteer at a humane society or food bank.

www.deltacollegiate.com Student tips for your 2023 resolutions

Get your body moving in 2023

By Ruby Schwalm

Looking to cut yourself off from alcohol in 2023? Here’s a few tips from Healthline to help you get started.

Take some time to think about your drinking habits. If you feel like you are drinking too much, ask yourself what causes you to drink. Is it for social reasons? Is it for dealing with pain? Is it a reaction to stress? Knowing what causes you to drink will help you avoid alcohol in the future.

Talk about your goal. Sharing your desire to cut back- or completely cut out- alcohol with friends and family usually makes it so you are more determined to stick with your goal. That extra bit of support can be just what you need to stay strong and away from drinking.

Know how to turn drinking down. Most people will respect your decision to stay away from the bottle, but sometimes people can be pushy. In these cases, it is a good idea to have a response ready. If you are comfortable with it, you can share that you are cutting back for health reasons, or just because you want to. Alternatively, it is perfectly okay to share a white lie if it makes it easier. Just say you are the designated driver for your friend group, and you should be all set.

Keep busy with other things. Sometimes staying away from drinking is as easy as doing something else. You could try a new hobby, make an old favorite recipe, or finish that book you swear you were going to get to. Just occupying the mind can help.

Need more tips to stop drinking? Head to www.healthline. com for more information.

The New Year is the perfect time for you to get fit and strong. It can mark a new beginning for personal goals and accomplishments. Creating a resolution to get in shape and exercise may be more beneficial than you think.

Karah Schwalm, personal trainer and self-defense instructor, says fitness is an “outlet” for stress and other struggles, as well as a way to stay healthy. “It truly is a great way to keep a healthy mind and body. If you keep your body moving, you’d be surprised with how good you feel.”

Harvard Health Publishing had a similar view. “In the short term, exercise helps to control appetite, boost mood, and improve sleep. In the long term, it reduces the risk of heart disease, stroke, diabetes, dementia, depression, and many cancers.” So, how can you make this goal and accomplish it? Types of exercise: • Strength Training - Lifting weights to obtain muscular endurance and bone strength • Cardio Training - Exercises that increase your heart rate and improve your overall endurance • Stability Training - Includes moves that help your joints achieve a better range of motion and • flexibility Workouts to try: • Tabata - Time interval cardio training • Weight Training - Use free weights to work your muscles and your stability • Yoga - Works flexibility in muscles and joints while practicing stability • Kickboxing - Cardio training with punching bags • Agility Training - Cardio workouts while helping your start-stop movements.

Breaking free from the bottle

By Noah Brasseur

Tips on finding a job this new year

By Shibi Prabhakar

Spend more time with your friends and family this new year

By Sarah Ritcey

Hey Michiganders, as the new year approaches, are you looking for a change in your life or some extra money, or are you fed up with the work you do now? Are you a college graduate looking to start your career? If any of these questions apply to you, perhaps it’s time to start looking for a new job.

According to the Harvard Business Review, the first thing to do in this process is to “dust off that resume.” It might have been a few years since you did this, but it is worth it. They say to “think of your resume as a story you’re telling the reader, not just about your accomplishments but the context in which you achieved them.”

The whole point is not to sell yourself short. Be confident about your accomplishments and the talents you can bring to the workplace.

Even if you have a job now, there are still ways you can find a job discreetly, as Business Insider states. You must be smart about it. The main point is not to tell anyone at work until you have everything finalized.

But the most important thing when looking for a job, no matter what stage you are in your career, is to make sure you are coping well. This can be a significant change, and anxiety is perfectly normal. Almost 70% of college students feel somewhat nervous/stressed about starting their new, according to this study done by timely MD. Remember, you are not alone.

As Mary Tyler Moore says, “take chances, make mistakes. That’s how you grow. Pain nourishes your courage. You have to fail in order to practice being brave.”

This new year you should be prioritizing spending time with your friends and family. There are mental health benefits to doing so and here are some tips on how to do it.

Making specific plans with friends or family will pretty much make you have to see them and spend time with them. Having sit-down family or friend dinners is a great way to enjoy each other’s company as well as catching up.

Make a bucket list to do with your friends or family! You can have as many as 10 things to do together or up to 100 things.

Doing everyday things with your friends or family can make chores easier and more fun. You can invite them to help clean your room up or organize. You can also workout with them! If you’re interested in quality time and time to really connect, do a spa night. Do nails, facials, face masks, yoga, or just have a sit down and talk or rant.

There are many things you can do this year in order to spend more time with your friends and family. Doing this can also benefit your own mental health. It can reduce your stress, boost confidence, and combat loneliness for all parties. This is your sign to call up your friends and family to make some plans to hang out.