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From cheaper first dates to financial red flags, rising costs are reshaping modern romance in surprising ways

• Dating is getting more expensive and its changing behavior: Most singles say rising costs are leading them to go on fewer dates and think more carefully before making plans.

• Low-cost dates are no longer a turnoff: Simple ideas like coffee, walks, or staying in are increasingly seen as thoughtful even a green flag.

• Overspending can actually hurt your chances: Many singles view flashy spending or bragging about money as a red flag, with authenticity mattering more than price.

Dinner, drinks, maybe a movie dating used to feel pretty straightforward. But lately, romance has come with a price tag thats harder to ignore. As inflation pushes up the cost of everything from meals out to gas, more singles are rethinking how and even whether they date at all.

New research from DealSeek highlights just how much things have shifted. A majority of singles say dating has gotten more expensive in the past year, and many are going on fewer dates or opting for lower-cost alternatives instead. Whats emerging is a new kind of dating culture one where budgeting, financial transparency, and even couponing are becoming part of the equation.

ConsumerAffairs spoke with Hailey Neff, Creative Strategist on behalf of DealSeek who explained that these financial pressures are quietly rewriting the rules of attraction, expectations, and what it means to make a connection.

How do finances impact dating?

Neff explained that the biggest shift in the dating scene is how often people are going out.

A lot of singles are doing the math now, she said. In our study, 71% said dating has gotten more expensive, and 40% said theyre going on fewer dates because of it.

So its not just noticing higher prices, its actually changing behavior. Dating feels a bit less casual than it used to. Even deciding whether to go on a date can feel like a budget choice.

Low-cost dating options

If youre on the dating scene, you can still pull out all the stops without breaking the bank.

About half of singles said suggesting a low-cost date is actually a green flag, and even things like using coupons are viewed positively by a lot of people now, Neff said. Thats a big shift from the old idea that you have to spend to impress. It really comes down to the thought behind the plan more than the price.

Here are some ideas for lower-cost date options:

• Coffee or a walk. These are still some of the easiest first dates because its low effort in a good way.

• Lean into things like local events, galleries, or outdoor plans. About 37% said theyve suggested free options like parks or community events just to keep costs down.

• Stay in instead of going out. Staying in is more common than people might expect. Cooking together or doing something simple at home can feel more natural than a big night out.

Most people think the expectation is higher than it actually is, Neff said. The majority want to keep a first date under $100, and more than half prefer under $75.

At the same time, trying too hard financially can backfire. Around 61% see overspending as a red flag, and nearly 8 in 10 say bragging about money is a turnoff. Its less about cutting corners and more about being real about it. A simple plan that feels considered usually lands better.

From mystery packages to parking meters, scammers are using everyday QR codes to steal personal information

• The USPS is warning about a rise in QR code , including mystery packages designed to trick people into scanning malicious codes.

• Scammers are placing fake QR codes in everyday placeslike parking meters, emails, and public signswhere people are used to scanning without thinking.

• Experts say the best defense is to slow down: check where the code came from, preview the link, and never enter personal or payment information unless youre sure its legitimate.

QR codes have quietly become part of everyday life used for everything from restaurant menus to package tracking. But now, that convenience is being turned against consumers.

The U.S. Postal Service (USPS) is warning about a surge in mystery packages arriving at homes with QR codes inside, designed to lure people into scanning them. Its just one example of how scammers are evolving, placing malicious codes on everything from parking meters to emails that look legitimate.

ConsumerAffairs spoke with Sharat Potharaju, CEO & Co-Founder, Uniqode, to break down why QR-based have become so widespread, how these are evolving, and outline exactly what consumers need to do to protect themselves before scanning.

What do these look like?

Potharaju explained that one of the biggest challenges with QR is that they usually look like normal QR experiences at first glance which is also why theyre so effective.

They can appear on a public parking meter with a prompt to pay, on a restaurant menu that looks like it came from the business, or on a missed package note with a message asking you to fix a vague problem, he said. But theyre also showing up in emails, text messages, public signage, event posters, and other places where people have grown used to scanning.

Some warning signs to look for:

• If a QR code is on a sticker placed over another code, thats a clear risk.

• If it comes in an unexpected text or email and tells you to act quickly, thats another.

• Any QR code that opens an unfamiliar URL or uses a misspelled domain is suspicious.

• After the click-through, if youre taken to a page that immediately asks for sensitive information, thats a good moment to stop.

Ultimately, the simplest rule is to pause before tapping through, Potharaju said. They should ask themselves: Where am I scanning? Wheres this supposed to take me? Would this company really need this information from me?

Familiarity powers the

One of the reasons that these types of have become so popular is because theyre based around something thats very familiar to consumers.

Potharaju said that a recent Uniqode report found that 70% of consumers now scan QR codes at least once a month, 71% describe them as genuinely helpful in daily life, and 83% are now willing to share data after a scan.

That kind of adoption is great for legitimate businesses. But it creates a big opportunity for bad actors too, he said. The more common a behavior becomes, the easier it is for scammers to hide inside it.

This isnt a case of QR codes suddenly becoming unsafe. Its more that scammers follow consumer behavior. Email, text messages, and social platforms have all gone through the same pattern. QR codes are now going through it too.

Know how to protect yourself

With these gaining ground, knowing how to protect yourself is key.

Here are some of Potharajus best tips:

• Before scanning, the first question to ask is where the code came from. If its on a sign, menu, meter, package, or flyer, double-check whether it looks original or if something was stuck on afterward. And if it came by text or email, dont assume its safe just because the sender name looks familiar.

• If you do scan, pause at the link preview. The domain should look familiar and match the company or service you thought you were scanning for. If it looks strange, is spelled slightly wrong, or doesnt match the context, stop there.

• Avoid entering payment details, passwords, or personal information from a QR landing page unless the source is clear. If youre in doubt, use the companys app or type the website in yourself.

Its usually not the act of scanning itself, but what comes next, Potharaju said. If someone shares a password, payment information, or even worse, a Social Security number, through the wrong page, that information is out there. Then the risk can become fraudulent charges, account access, identity theft, or more targeted later. This can go on for quite some time too.

Thats why slowing down and checking where the page is taking you is so important.

If you want a refill, soon you may have to ask

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• McDonalds is testing the removal of self-service beverage stations in select U.S. locations.

• The move is tied to operational efficiency, hygiene concerns, and evolving store formats.

• Customers may soon need to request drink refills directly from staff instead of serving themselves.

One of the customer perks at most fast-food restaurants is the self-service beverage station. Many customers top off their drinks as they leave. At McDonalds, that perk may be on the way out.

Various industry sources report McDonalds is quietly experimenting with a significant change in the way it dispenses drinks. The fast-food giant has begun eliminating customer-accessible beverage stations in select locations, signaling a broader shift that could reshape the dine-in experience.

The change is already visible in newer and remodeled restaurants, particularly in urban markets and smaller-format stores. Instead of customers refilling their own drinks, beverages are now dispensed behind the counter by employees.

While the company has not announced a nationwide rollout, the trend suggests a long-term move away from self-service.

Whats behind the move?

Several factors are driving the shift. Operational efficiency is a major one centralizing drink service allows staff to better manage inventory, reduce waste, and streamline cleanup. Self-serve stations have long been associated with spills, sticky floors, and inconsistent portion control, all of which add to labor demands.

Hygiene has also become a bigger concern, especially following the COVID-19 pandemic. Shared touchpoints like soda fountain buttons and lids raised questions about sanitation, prompting many restaurants to rethink customer-facing equipment. By limiting public access, McDonalds can maintain tighter control over cleanliness standards.

Another influence is the companys evolving restaurant design. McDonalds has been investing in smaller footprints, digital ordering kiosks, and drive-thru-focused layouts. In these formats, self-service beverage areas often dont fit the streamlined, efficiency-driven model.

Customer reaction is mixed. Some diners appreciate the cleaner environment and faster service, while others miss the convenience of unlimited refills and customizing their drinks. For families and frequent dine-in customers, the change represents a noticeable departure from the traditional McDonalds experience.

Industry analysts note that McDonalds isnt alone in reevaluating self-service. Other chains have also reduced or removed soda fountains in recent years, reflecting broader trends in automation, labor optimization, and health awareness.