The Costs of Online Dating

By Jayde Johannsen

There are thousands of people signing up for dating sites each day, which shouldn't come as a surprise. There hasn't been an opportunity like this ever before, with people having the ability to get to know tons of different potential mates. In the past, you were limited to people working your office, or classmates in school, or perhaps the odd romantic partner introduced by a mutual friend. In 2009, however, for a nominal fee charged to your credit card every 30 days, you can meet millions of kindred souls from all over the world.

Of course, like anything else, these dating services have different price tags. Some don't cost a cent, or offer a free trial period during which you can evaluate whether they are the right choice for you. Keep in mind that many times, unpaid sites aren't as effective as their paid counterparts. Many won't allow you to sort potential mates according to hobbies or interests. There's a good chance that you'll have to dig into individual profiles, which can be a time intensive process.

Sites that require a monthly payment, however, have powerful search engines that allow you to quickly find exactly the kind of mate you're interested in. Do you love chess? Plug that into the field, and you'll find someone with a similar passion. Of course, if you live in a small town with hardly any people interested in online dating, this isn't a big deal. You can simply sort through the profiles on a case by case basis, looking for a mate. But if you're searching in New York City or Paris, with millions of potential suitors, it can be quite another story.

Here's another cost that slips most peoples' minds. You're probably going to be spending more cash on dates! For men, this is a double whammy, if they plan on picking up the whole check. Along with the physical dangers of meeting a stranger without knowing them well, this ranks high on the reasons why you should take a substantial amount of time getting to know someone before meeting them in person.

Websites that are targeted at specific races or religions are usually more expensive as well, simply for economic reasons. Dating services that target the broad public have a ton of competition; you could likely rattle off a few names from the top of your head. In contrast, sites aimed at specific demographics can be more selective, because they own a lion's share of the market. For the consumer, this likely means a higher cost per month.

One last thing to keep in mind: it's very easy to sign up with your credit card, and then completely forget about it! A year later, you check your card statement, and realize you've been paying for it the whole time. That could mean a whole lot of wasted money.

Online dating sites can be a great and inexpensive way to meet the love of your life, but you have to exercise some caution when choosing a venue. Do the proper research, and you'll be just fine. - 31368

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