Albertans dating less ahead of Valentine’s Day due to financial stress: survey

A new survey shows Albertans are dating less and not spending as much money when they do go out. CTV News Edmonton's Amanda Anderson reports.

If you’re not dating anybody this Valentine’s Day, you’re not alone, in a sense.

A recent release based on a TD survey from early February indicates that 36 per cent of Albertans are dating less this year due to money stress.

An email from a TD communications liaison suggests that percentage is higher in Alberta than in the rest of Canada, as 30 per cent are opting for less expensive dates due to economic conditions.

“There are a lot of things that people are reducing in their life based on rising costs. That’s real, that’s something that everyone feels,” said Shelley Smith, a TD investment advisor.

“I think people are looking to say, if I’m going to spend time with someone … I want it to be meaningful to me and meaningful to them.”

The release from TD also said it found Albertans were prioritizing financial transparency and would be willing to break up over bad spending habits, risky investment or never offering to pay for anything.

Edmonton matchmaker Megan Tyschuk says findings like the survey’s reflect a feeling she’s had for a while.

“A lot of burnout,” she said in an interview Thursday. “A lot of people are like, ‘I don’t want to be doing this anymore.’ It’s hard. It’s expensive. It takes a lot of time.”

Based on her client database, Tyschuk says she finds financial stability to be non-negotiable for many in the city.

“What it means is that they’re looking for someone who is good with money, or can save, can prioritize things, not just blowing money on a bunch of stuff.”

But she said not to keep your expectations too unrealistic, at least not in this economy.

“Sometimes we have this big long list of all the things that we want in someone, and unfortunately we will never find a partner that hits everything on the list,” she said.

“Be kind to yourself in appreciating what you want in a partner, but also being able to see that there are some things that are really important, and others that can be compromised on.”

With files from CTV News Edmonton’s Amanda Anderson