In the swipe-right economy of modern romance, money has become the elephant in the room that everyone pretends not to see while simultaneously performing financial gymnastics to impress it. Fifty-one percent of young adults now fake wealth or exaggerate financial success while dating, with Gen Z leading at 54 percent. Even more alarming, 37 percent are willing to overdraft accounts or plunge into debt just to look good on a date.
We’re all pretending money doesn’t matter while going broke trying to prove we have it.
Men bear the heaviest burden here. Forty-six percent would overdraft to impress dates compared to 28 percent of women. Forty-one percent of men report taking credit hits for romance. The financial toll is real: men in relationships spend $1,200 to $1,800 more monthly than their single counterparts, who redirect those funds toward investments, retirement accounts, and side businesses instead.
The irony? Wealthy men—the ones who’ve actually made it—face a completely different struggle. They’re not worried about impressing anyone with money. They’re worried about finding someone who sees past it. High-net-worth men earning seven figures and leading companies want emotional connection, shared values, and legacy. They’re tired of wondering if partners are interested in the person or just the paycheck. A 2017 Harvard study found that financially secure men prioritize emotional connection and shared values over beauty or status symbols.
Meanwhile, over 50 percent of people view high credit scores as making someone more attractive, and one in five want dating apps to display credit scores upfront. Money has become a dating credential, yet 70 percent of women and 60 percent of men avoid discussing finances with friends. We’re performing wealth we don’t have while staying silent about the finances that actually matter. When it comes to actual relationships, only 8 percent consider poor credit a marriage dealbreaker, while 48 percent would marry someone with shaky credit.
Here’s what works now: wealthy men seek partners who match their ambition without demanding they perform or prove anything. They want someone building their own life, not auditioning for a lifestyle upgrade. High-achieving women aren’t intimidating to high-caliber men—they’re exactly what these men want. Physical attraction matters, yes, but it’s not the whole equation. What seals the deal is mutual respect, emotional depth, and seeing each other as people first. The performance can stop. Authenticity wins. A clean, well-fitted outfit and genuine smile can help convey that authenticity from the first date, signaling honest intent before a word is spoken.
