How much does it take to get over a break-up? New research found that, for Gen Z, it takes more than a pint of ice cream – they’re spending close to $4,000 to heal their hearts, per the survey.
The New York Post reported on the data, citing the Gen Z-geared finance app Frich. By tallying up expenses such as housing, travel, dating, and post-breakup spending, they found that the average cost of a break-up for this cohort born from 1998 to 2012 is $3,862.
Costs can include nights out, retail therapy and “other extreme behaviors,” according to the Post. Frich’s survey also revealed that 34% of Gen Zers who wanted to quickly move on from their breakup were willing to spend, on average, $131 on a date, while a “girl’s night out” costs on average a little over $92. Some Gen Zers even splurge on post breakup vacations that cost nearly $2,000.
“Breaking up isn’t just an emotional upheaval: it’s a financial reset,” said Aleksandra Medina, CPO and co-founder of Frich, according to the Post. She added that things can be especially difficult for couples who have a lease together or shared finances.
Just 18% of Gen Z chose options such as a workout class or getting a haircut, but those could cost up to around $100. The same percentage of Gen Z said they had stayed in “not great” relationships and close to 40% said they would move in with their partner even if they weren’t ready to take that step. Research released last year by the dating app Feeld also indicates that Gen Z prefers monogamy more than older generations.
“Among Gen Z, monogamy was the single most preferred relationship type (23%),” said Feeld. “For Millennials and Gen X, it was ethical non-monogamy (24% and 27%, respectively), while for Boomers, it was friends with benefits (27%).”
Audacy’s Chad Hartman discussed the findings from Frich this week, and his team agreed that spending upwards of $3,800 on a breakup seemed like a bit too much. Producer Dave Harrigan, a 40-year-old millennial, said he would usually grab a few pints of Ben & Jerry’s to soothe breakup woes.
In addition to its survey about Gen Z breakup spending, Frich also published a “Breakup Survival Guide” last month.
“When the breakup bomb drops, 38% of Frichies prefer to stay in and wallow for a bit, and that's okay. Sometimes you simply need a Netflix binge and a tub of ice cream,” said Frich (which also noted that around 50% of people keep using their ex’s streaming accounts after a breakup). “But if you’re ready to get back out there, 32% of Frichies immediately download a dating app and start going on dates. And for 29%, spending money going out with friends is the best medicine. Whether it’s a wild night out with friends or finding a rebound to keep your mind off things, a good distraction can work wonders.”