“Money can’t buy me love,” said The Beatles, but Australian singles are determined to prove them wrong. According to ING Direct’s 2017 Cost of Dating report, Aussies happily hand over nearly $12 billion per year in the name of finding their happily ever afters.

The exact figure is $11.65 billion, a price tag that’s sure to induce sticker shock in almost any dater, regardless of how deep their pockets run. Australians reportedly spend an average of $79 on a first date, with one third of singles going on at least one first date per month, and a further 32% going on two or more first dates per month. Additionally, almost one in five (18%) have paid for dating services, an expenditure that tallies up to $80.7 million each year.

When it comes to first dates, Australians err on the side of tradition. More than half (56%) of single men are prepared to pick up the tab. Baby Boomer males (33%) are particularly committed to this classic notion of romantic chivalry, followed closely by Gen X men (27%) and Millennial men (26%).

A dating app with a hook-up reputation is getting it on IRL, too. In July, the popular dating app hired event organizers to throw parties for its most exclusive members in a rented house in the Hamptons. Unfortunately, partygoers (and Tinder) were soon booted out.

According to an article in Gizmodo, the company threw “a series of parties at telecom mogul Michael Hirtenstein’s oceanfront home...Over the weekends of July 14th and July 21th, cops reportedly visited the property multiple times due to noise complaints from neighbors.”

According to Page Six, attendees were also cited for carrying open containers and illegally parking.

For 6 days eHarmony in the United Kingdom is offering free trial memberships to new members. From the 24^th - 29^th August, 2017 are when these trial memberships are available.

So what does a free trial get you? Well it means you are allowed to communicate (send and receive messages) to any match you receive on eHarmony.co.uk! To increase your chances of finding your long term partner all you need to do is signup to eHarmony and fill in the profile and questionnaire. No credit card is required. Then eHarmony's matching algorithm will send you a bunch of new quality matches everyday for you to review. If any spark your interest you can then message them right away. eHarmony is extra busy during the free trials so if you are interested, it is recommended you sign up at the beginning of the promotion so you have more time to use the dating service. One thing to note is that during the free trial period photos are not displayed with the profiles.

For more information about this United Kingdom dating service, please read our review of eHarmony in the UK.

How to use the Bumble SuperSwipe

Dating apps are not only looking to differentiate themselves in a crowded market, they are trying to find ways to monetize without alienating customers. And now, female-friendly app Bumble is taking a leaf out of Tinder’s playbook and adding a new feature called SuperSwipe, similar to Tinder’s Super Like.

SuperSwipe allows users to call attention to someone they are really interested in, by clicking a heart on the chosen profile before swiping right and hoping for a match. The benefit is that your SuperSwipe can see that you’re interested before he swipes left or right, which hopefully increases your chances of matching with him.

Super Like on Tinder is very similar; your potential match can see that you’ve chosen to Super Like him in advance. Super Like is also only available via the app’s premium service, and it seems Bumble is following suit.

In the wake of the violence in Charlottesville, Virginia last weekend, two dating app companies have stepped forward to ban white supremacists from their platforms and offer donations to organizations that fight against hate groups.

OkCupid has offered a donation to a Charlottesville victim relief group, which is helping support victims of the attacks that shook the community in early August. Bumble has also stepped forward, announcing its partnership with the Anti-Defamation League, pledging a “zero tolerance policy against misogynist, abusive, and inappropriate behaviour.”

Bumble stated it will use the ADL’s “research and terminology” to identify and categorize hate symbols, and prevent people who use hate speech and symbols from using the dating platform.

Dating app Hinge wants to reward you for taking dating seriously. In a new promotion, the company is offering free gifts from its “Milestone Marketplace” when a couple who meets over the app hits certain relationship milestones. Unfortunately, it’s only for a limited time. The happy couples can claim their rewards until August 23^rd.

Some milestones include the first sleepover, moving in, getting a dog, getting engaged, honeymooning, and even having a baby. There are eleven total milestones that Hinge celebrates with free gifts, which include pillows, an electronic toothbrush, birthstone stud earrings and a $200 vibrator, among other gifts. Hinge had a little fun with the prizes. For “meeting the parents,” couples get a $50 credit to Minibar for wine.

For getting engaged, couples can earn $100 for a Zola registry, a nice gift for newlyweds.