Solo-maxxing: Gen Z embraces single life over cost of dating

Solo-maxxing is a new term for being single because relationships are too expensive to sustain. Data from the Bank of Montreal’s 2026 real financial progress index in February noted that the average gen Z date in the US — including food, drinks, transport and grooming — now costs $205 (£152).

Let’s say you need to go on 20 dates to find the love of your life. That’s $4,100 (£3,044), before all the maintenance dates you’ll need to go on once you settle down. TikTokers are all over it, with one user describing "the ability to do things by yourself and not depend or lean on anyone else" as "the number one skill you should learn and master in your twenties".

Much of the trend looks like filming yourself going for a run, filming yourself at restaurants, filming yourself at the cinema — performatively being alone for likes.

United States

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