The number one Latino dating app Chispa has partnered with Gigi González, the famed Gen Z money guru known as “The First Gen Mentor,” transforming the Latinx community and first-generation students' financial illiteracy. The collaboration is part of Financial Literacy Month which aims to educate the Latino community, especially Latine singles, on being conscientious about spending habits, especially when they start dating. 

AL DÍA was able to speak with Gigi about this collaboration. 

Infla-dating 

Chispa has over 7 million downloads and is helping people create meaningful connections with others within their community—something Gigi says creates a profound connection because you are meeting like-minded people that share the same background as you. 

Chispa's “Latinx in College” study, the first dating app-led research study on Hispanics in college, asked its users their preferences about how they manage their budget when starting to know that special someone and found that 54% of respondents prioritize moderation when meeting people and would meet them online before planning a coffee date. The study also found that 75% of respondents said they are now more careful about spending money. 

Gonzalez provided some tips for low-cost dates besides a coffee date, advising others to consider a smoothie date or check free local concerts and low-cost community plays because it is a “budget-friendly way to still go out through a fun activity with someone that you are dating while still supporting local artists in your community.” 

However, 49% of respondents said they will wait until “officially dating” before talking about money—a shared mentality by Gigi, who believes that officially dating is when you are exclusive with somebody and are not actively dating other partners. She adds that if you wait until exclusively dating, it might be too late to know how the other person values money. 

Gigi assures that finance discussions are as important as asking about politics and life goals because “how you handle money and your relationship with money is a very personal value” and should be discussed as soon as the third or fourth date.

There are ways to bring this topic up, says Gigi, noting that asking questions about retirement plans and whether or not you want to have a vacation home (to name a few) will allow you to hear their response and their receptiveness and engagement will demonstrate the type of relationship they have with money. 

Although these are great suggestions, they can get tricky when navigating cultural norms. 43% of respondents said they are willing to compromise when looking for a partner, citing financial health is not a deciding factor. 

Gigi candidly shared her enjoyment of being treated during dates and being raised that the one who invites takes care of the bill; a similar sentiment shared by 68% of respondents that agreed taking turns paying is the right way. 

She concluded that a meaningful connection with someone that grew up in the same culture as you creates a deeper connection.