How much does it cost to be in love on Valentine’s Day?

MANILA, Philippines—As much as we don’t want to put a price on love, we can’t help but ask that during these times of economic difficulties, how much does dating cost nowadays?

People have been very practical with spending their hard-earned money these days and Valentine’s Day has been reduced to something corny.

But for people in love, this day of hearts is an opportunity to show how he or she truly loves his or her partner.

For this auditing task, we divided the type of date into two:  the economical Juan de la Cruz, a simple but sweet guy on a budget date; and Ritchie Reyes, the dress to impress date.

And since it is the gentleman’s way to shoulder all the expenses for the date, we have concluded to show you the money that will come out of the male’s wallet.

The expenses start at the point of getting in touch with your date.  Juan dela Cruz would go to the sari-sari store to buy P20 cell phone load to text his date.  Ritchie Reyes, on the other hand, would call for the formal invite and add sweet nothings which will cost him around P50.

Assuming both lover boys will just wear their best clothes in their closet to cut expenses. But if Ritchie wants to impress his date, he will buy a new shirt, which can cost him P1,000 to P2,000.

Third: Transportation. Juan would take public transportation to go to his date’s house to pick her up. Since it’s Valentine’s Day, he will take a cab and this will cost him around P200 to P250 (depending on where his date lives). Ritchie, on the other hand, would drive his car.  Let us put the gas and parking fees at P500.

Juan and his date would eat at a casual resto and spend P1,000 for food. Ritchie will take his date to a semi fine dining restaurant and would spend around P3,000 for dinner.

Juan will forego flowers. Since he’s on a budget, instead of spending money for flowers, he will just spend it on the date itself. Ritchie will buy a bouquet of flowers, which costs at least P1,000 at a flower shop, and a box of chocolates at P500.

Juan would take his date on a romantic stroll around the mall or by the bay and then spend around P300 for dessert or coffee. Ritchie and his date would go see a concert at the Smart Araneta Center, tickets would cost around P2,500 per head for the middle box seats.

Total costs for Juan de la Cruz: P20 (cell phone load) + 250 (commute) + 1000 (dinner) + 300 (coffee) + 250 (commute to go home) = P 1,820.

Ritchie Reyes: P50 (cell phone expense) + 500 (gas and parking) + 3000 (dinner) + 1500 (gifts) + 5,000 (concert) = P 10,050.