When you sign up for a new online dating site – especially if this is your first time trying online dating, the temptation is always to go for the shortest membership possible. Your inner dialogue sounds something like this: “I may totally hate online dating,” “I don’t want to commit to anything right now” or “I’m not going to be here long because I’ll probably meet someone right away.” Although there may be some truth to these statements – after all, one of my best friends met her husband within the first week of trying online dating, for the most part, stories like hers are the exception to the rule. Dating of any kind requires a lot of trial and error. By telling yourself that you “probably won’t like it” or that you won’t be sticking around for long, you’re shooting yourself in the foot by setting a negative expectation from the get-go.
Knowing what I know now, I’m here to let you in on a little secret: smart online daters sign-up for longer subscriptions. Here’s why –
1. It’s more affordable – I’m a frugal person by nature and one of the key things I’ve learned over the years is that if you can buy in bulk, you should. When you buy in multiples, you usually end up paying less per item than you would if you bought them individually spread out over time. This logic definitely applies to online dating. Online dating sites like eHarmony and Zoosk want you to get the most out of their services, so they’ve made longer subscriptions the most affordable option.
Take eHarmony’s memebership breakdown for example:
3 months: $39.95 per month
6 months: $29.99 per month
12 months: $19.95 per month
The way I see it, dropping $59.95 per month for 3 months is rather daunting. And, as you can see from the figures above, if you opt for the 12 month subscription you’re getting the service for over half the price. As someone who is trying to stay on a strict budget, spending $19.95 a month versus close to $60, is a lot easier for me to work into my monthly expenses.
If you’d like another example, Zoosk’s subscription prices are structured in a very similar way.
1 month: $29.95/month
3 months: $19.95/month
6 months: $12.49/month
Although Zoosk’s 1 month subscription is still very affordable, the 6 month subscription is half the price. Given my own experiences online dating, I would definitely opt for the longer subscription as well. Also, because the cost is so affordable across the board, Zoosk is a great option for students and young professionals on a budget who want to try out the service without making much of a financial commitment. (I don’t know about you guys, but I probably spend more than $15 a month on Starbucks, alone!)
2. Realistically, you don’t know how long you’re going to be using online dating – When I think back to when I first started online dating and insisted on paying for pricey single month subscriptions, I just laugh. What I’ve discovered about online dating is that it takes a while to find your groove – especially if you’re coming into it as a newbie.
Like I said before, online dating involves a lot of trial and error. Despite what advertisers may suggest, you don’t just sign up and find love instantly. You may end up exchanging a lot of messages with different people and going on several dates before you really firm up what you are and aren’t looking for from the experience. Like many of you, I have a really busy lifestyle. I don’t always have a lot of time to devote to “online portion” of online dating: searching for matches, sending messages, replying to messages etc. With a longer membership (ie. 6 months) I’m able to date at my own pace without worrying that “I’m not getting my money’s worth” like I might if I had only signed up for 1-3 months.
3. You’re a mature dater – Online dating sites like OurTime.com is specifically designed for mature singles. They recognize that your attitude and expectations towards dating in your 50s and beyond are likely to be significantly different to your attitude and expectations in your younger years. If you’re a mature adult, there’s a good chance that you’re trying to ease back into the dating scene following an extended period where you weren’t single or dating. OurTime.com understands that you may need time to get the hang of things and transition into your newly single life, which is why they’ve also made their longer subscriptions very affordable. At $11.99 per month for a six month subscription, you can conveniently date at your own pace, without worrying that you’re on a set timeline.
4. You can use coupon codes – For the true bargain hunters and frugalistas out there, choosing a longer subscription period often means that you’re privy to even deeper discounts in the form of special promotions and coupon codes. For example, eHarmony is currently offering their 12 month subscription for $15.95 a month when you use the coupon code EHCODE12. That’s a great offer if you’re serious about online dating and saving money.
At the end of the day, online dating is a commitment – time wise, emotionally and financially. However, if you’re serious about meeting someone you need to make this commitment. Good things often take time and patience. By committing to online dating for longer than a month, you’re saying to the Universe, “Hey, I’m here. I’m ready to meet someone!” and giving yourself that window of time to meet a person you really connect with. With the money you’ll save with a longer subscription, you can take that adorable creature you spotted online last night out for a really nice dinner. Just a suggestion.
