Nearly one third of Gen Z singles are going on dates just for free food: 'A girl's gotta eat'

For members of Generation Z, romance can come with a price tag — and a budget, according to a new report.

Nearly one in three singles (31%) born between 1997 and 2012 admit they’ve gone on a date just for the free meal, according to an Intuit survey of 1,500 US adults conducted in September.

The study found that money is increasingly shaping relationships, from date-night budgets to deciding who pays the bill.

Overall, 51% of Americans said they’re dating less due to economic concerns , with Gen Z hit hardest at 58%. Yet many are redefining a “good” date around affordability and creativity.

“For Gen Z, financial habits and ambition are becoming part of the new love language,” said Ashleigh Ewald, a Georgia Tech public policy student in her twenties.

“Money and financial securi