The discussion echoes wider trends, includinga 2026 Harris Poll showing 74% of U.S. adults value financial stability in partners, amid a ‘dating recession’ fueled by debt and costs.
By Joe Udo
CAPE TOWN (CONVERSEER) – South African woman, ELE, known as @ReleGlo, on Wednesday, posted about the emotional toll of dating someone broke, explaining how it leads to downplaying money’s role despite its importance.
Replies flooded in with agreement, criticism like ‘You cannot hate what you are, and advice to date richer partners or build her own wealthshe clarified she already has her money.
The discussion echoes wider trends, includinga 2026 Harris Poll showing 74% of U.S. adults value financial stability in partners, amid a ‘dating recession’ fueled by debt and costs.
“Dating a broke guy can be really draining. You end up pretending you don’t like nice things just to protect his feelings, and acting like money doesn’t matter when it actually does,” @ReleGlo post on X read.
Dating a broke guy can be really draining. You end up pretending you don’t like nice things just to protect his feelings, and acting like money doesn’t matter when it actually does 😪😭 pic.twitter.com/im5SSLwKHy
— ®️ E L E (@ReleGlo) March 18, 2026
One of the replies by @PeopleWhoTrade wrote: “Sounds like a problem a father needs to solve for her daughter to grow up not reliant on money from sexual favours.”
@ThembaM60: “So you can’t buy yourself the nice things? Means you broke too mos.”
@kikh16: “Why does he need to buy the nice things you like for you,
Why can’t you just work like every normal person and buy the nice things you like, or betterstill ask your parents.”
Why does he need to buy the nice things you like for you,
Why can't you just work like every normal person and buy the nice things you like, or betterstill ask your parents. https://t.co/F5NtZEMR6b— KEHINDE (@kikh16) March 18, 2026
