Tag: cost of living

“I can’t afford to leave my partner – so I found freedom in an affair”

* A heartbreaking new poll reveals that 58% of people are trapped in unhappy marriages because they simply cannot afford to leave their partner.
* Of those financially constrained people, a massive 84% admit they would leave their husband tomorrow if they weren’t fearful of the financial impact of divorce.
* Susan* and Anthony* are just two examples of how worries of financial ruin through divorce can be a catalyst for infidelity.
* Study conducted by IllicitEncounters.com, the UK’s largest extramarital dating site.

For many people, divorce isn’t always a choice. Some stay in unhappy marriages not because of love, but because they simply can’t afford to leave – and for a growing number, that financial trap is pushing them towards affairs instead.

A new survey of 2,000 members (split evenly between men and women) on IllicitEncounters.com, the UK’s largest extramarital dating site, reveals that 58% of people admit they stay in their marriage for financial reasons – and of those, a staggering 84% say they’d leave tomorrow if they weren’t fearful of the financial impact of divorce.

For Susan, 50, from Dorset, that statistic hits painfully close to home. She’s been married for 15 years, but the love faded long ago. “ I stay because I can’t afford not to – there’s no affection, no sex, nothing romantic left. We even sleep in separate rooms.” she says.

Susan’s husband had an affair 14 years ago, when she was pregnant with their child. Though they stayed together, she says she “never truly forgave him” but feels she cannot leave because of the costs that would come with divorce. 

But it’s not just women who are feeling trapped because of the potential financial impact of divorce. Anthony*, a 53-year-old business consultant, says, “I have a great salary, and that’s exactly the problem. The thought of a divorce is terrifying – my wife would take half of everything I’ve spent my life building. She knows that, and I think on some level, she uses it to her advantage. We haven’t been intimate for years, but I stay because the alternative could destroy me financially.”

He says joining IllicitEncounters.com gave him “an escape” without the life-ruining cost of divorce. “It’s not about being a player or chasing excitement – it’s about feeling appreciated again, without losing everything I’ve built.”

Relationship expert Jessica Leoni, from IllicitEncounters.com, says these stories are increasingly common. “Financial entrapment is one of the hidden drivers of modern infidelity,” she explains. “Many people feel they have no real option to leave – the cost of housing, childcare, and living expenses means they’re effectively locked into their marriages. For some, an affair becomes a way to reclaim a piece of themselves without tearing their whole life apart.”

Sometimes it’s the only form of therapy and self-discovery that fits within their economic reality. They aren’t looking to blow up their family’s home; they’re looking for a way to survive living in it.”

*Name has been changed

Tomorrow is the day people are most likely to break up with their partner

* Red Tuesday, which falls on the Tuesday before Valentine’s Day, is the most popular day of the year for breakups.

* 31% of people break up to avoid the pressure of Valentine’s Day expectations.

* Of the 36% of people who ended a relationship in the week leading up to Valentine’s Day, men are more likely to do so on Red Tuesday (62%) compared to women (38%), with millennials (ages 28-43) being the most likely to call it quits (40%).

* Study conducted byIllicitEncounters.com, the UK’s largest extramarital dating site.

If you’re in a shaky relationship, tomorrow might not be your lucky day. The Tuesday before Valentine’s Day – dubbed Red Tuesday – is the most popular day of the year for breakups, and it has become a notorious time for couples deciding to call it quits.

A recent poll conducted by the UK’s largest extramarital dating site, IllicitEncounters.com surveyed 1,200 people and found that 36% of respondents have ended a relationship in the week leading up to Valentine’s Day – of those, 66% broke up with their partner on Red Tuesday.

The reasons vary, but the most common one – cited by 31% of participants – is wanting to avoid the pressure of Valentine’s Day expectations. For many, the thought of planning a romantic evening or buying a meaningful gift for a partner they no longer see a future with is enough to push them to end things beforehand. 

Meanwhile, 27% admitted they wanted to avoid the guilt of faking affection on the most romantic day of the year.

As for how people chose to deliver the bad news, 33% preferred to break up over the phone, while 29% opted for a text message. Surprisingly, only 26% ended things face-to-face, and a small percentage turned to social media (7%) or email (4%) to cut ties. A cold-hearted 1% admitted to ghosting their partner entirely.

Interestingly, the survey also revealed that 75% of people having an affair still choose to spend Valentine’s Day with their primary partner. However, 18% said they will prioritise spending time with their lover over their spouse, while 7% plan to skip celebrating altogether.

The poll found that men are more likely to initiate Red Tuesday breakups, accounting for 62% of them, while women make up 38%. 

When it comes to age groups, Millennials (ages 28-43) are the most likely to call it quits on this day, representing 40% of breakups, followed by Gen Z (18-27) at 34%. Gen X (44-59) accounts for 18%, and Baby Boomers (60-78) make up just 8% of those ending relationships on Red Tuesday.

Jessica Leoni, a sex and relationships expert at IllicitEncounters.com which conducted the poll explains the trend, “Red Tuesday breakups happen because people don’t want to fake their feelings on Valentine’s Day. Rather than go through the motions of romance, they’d prefer to be honest – even if it means heartbreak. 

It’s also a time when people reflect on their relationship and decide if they truly see a future together. Some feel trapped by Valentine’s Day and the expectations that come with it, and rather than putting in effort for a relationship they don’t see lasting, they cut ties instead. 

Ultimately, Red Tuesday has become a day of reckoning for many couples, and it’s no surprise that we see a massive spike in breakups right before Valentine’s Day.”

Inflation Fuels Affairs: Data Reveals Link Between Rising Prices and Infidelity

* Rising inflation is creating tension in relationships, pushing people to seek emotional or romantic escapes.

* A 22% surge in membership for extramarital dating site IllicitEncounters.com followed the latest inflation hike announcement – a trend which was also seen when inflation rose in August.

* 65% of new members who joined within 48 hours of the inflation increase cited financial pressure as their main reason for joining.

* Study conducted by IllicitEncounters.com, the UK’s largest extramarital dating site.

Could rising inflation be driving people to cheat? A leading affairs website has revealed a startling correlation between rising inflation rates and increased membership on their platform. 

Following the latest inflation announcement on Wednesday, IllicitEncounters.com saw a 22% jump in sign-ups in just 48 hours, and this isn’t the first time the platform has experienced such a trend – when inflation rose in August of this year, the website saw a 19% rise in new members.

65% of new members who joined within 48 hours of this week’s news that inflation had risen to 2.3% cited “financial stress” as their primary reason for joining.

“We’ve come across a clear pattern: each time inflation rises, our membership numbers boom,” says Jessica Leoni, spokesperson for the affairs site. “It’s fascinating to see how economic factors can influence people’s personal relationships. When financial stress increases, it can put a strain on marriages and partnerships, leading some to seek solace or excitement elsewhere.”

Leoni also confirmed that the extramarital dating site has no plans to raise its prices, even as inflation drives up costs elsewhere. “Our members are looking for relief, not more stress. We’ll keep our platform accessible, no matter the economic climate,” she said.

For Emma*, a 34-year-old member of IllicitEncounters.com who joined this week, the most recent inflation report was the final straw. “We’ve been arguing constantly about money,” she admitted. “The bills keep piling up, and we just don’t connect anymore.”

Emma* signed up for the affairs site just hours after hearing about the latest interest rate hike. “I know it’s not the solution, but I needed something that was just for me. Somewhere I could feel alive again without the constant stress,” she said, adding that she’s already begun chatting with several potential matches.

* Name has been changed

Married people are unhappier in their marriages as a result of the cost of living crisis and many are turning to open relationships

* The majority of married people (78%) revealed they are unhappier in their marriages as a result of the cost of living crisis.

* 1 in 3 people considering divorce say that the high costs involved are an obstacle, which has led spouses to find a cheaper alternative.

* Open marriages are becoming increasingly popular, allowing couples to satisfy their emotional and physical needs while remaining legally bound – avoiding the burden of divorce.

* Study conducted by IllicitEncounters.com, the UK’s largest extramarital dating site

As the cost of living crisis tightens its grip on households, marriages find themselves navigating uncharted waters, with financial challenges placing massive strain on relationships. 

With divorce rates at their lowest since 1971, you might think that couples in the UK are doing a great job of maintaining a solid relationship despite the financial woes they’re experiencing. 

But, it turns out distinctive trends are emerging – couples are increasingly turning to open relationships as an unexpected lifeline to weather the economic storm, or they’re using infidelity as a coping mechanism.

A study by extramarital dating site IllicitEncounters.com revealed that a staggering 78% of spouses are unhappier in their marriages due to the cost of living crisis. 

Polling 1,500 of its members, one in three married people who are contemplating divorce see the prohibitive costs associated with the process as a significant obstacle, preventing them from pursuing the traditional route to separation.

As a result, a new trend has emerged – infidelity as a coping mechanism. For some couples, engaging in extramarital affairs has become a means of making their relationships more bearable when divorce seems financially unattainable. 

However, an even more shocking development is the rising number of couples turning to open relationships as a cheaper alternative to traditional divorce.

18% of those polled who are considering divorce but are unable to afford it have opted for open relationships with their spouses, openly seeing other people with their partner’s blessing.

Dominic from Newcastle who took part in the survey said, “We’d been on rocky ground for over a year – we’d tried marriage counselling but it just made us more hostile towards each other. 

Divorce seemed inevitable, but the costs were a roadblock and that’s when IllicitEncounters.com became our unexpected lifeboat.

Although the love might not be there anymore, we do still respect one another and we both want each other to be happy. So, knowing that we wouldn’t be able to face the financial strain of divorce at the moment, we mutually agreed that we should see other people.

It’s had such a huge positive effect on us mentally and emotionally.”

Jessica Leoni, spokesperson for IllicitEncounters.com said, “Despite divorce rates reaching their lowest point since 1971, the decline isn’t necessarily an indication of marital bliss – it actually conceals dissatisfaction in relationships that stems from economic challenges.

We’re seeing more and more couples on the site who, rather than ending their marriages, have chosen transparency and openness about seeing other people as a way to satisfy their emotional and physical needs while remaining legally bound – avoiding the financial and emotional burden of divorce.

It turns out consensual non-monogamy is the secret to a long-lasting marriage!”

Frome crowned the UK’s new adultery capital as the town’s housing crisis causes an ‘avalanche’ of affairs while couples struggle with huge rent rises during the cost of living crisis – while Blackpool is declared the most faithful town

* The posh Somerset market town – recently declared the ‘best place to live in the South West’ – tops the new cheating map listing the UK’s 400 top places for extra-marital affairs

* Frome has 1,309 people having affairs – 7.32% of the town’s population

* The award will be added to Frome’s mantelpiece, having also recently been recognised as the best place to live, the most stylish town and one of the most welcoming places in the UK

* Cheating in Frome is out of control with a massive 131% rise in adultery since 2022 as rising rents leave couples looking for a cheaper alternative to divorce 

* Figures are featured in the new Infidelity Index cheating table compiled by IllicitEncounters.com, the UK’s leading affairs site

The cheating capital of the UK is swanky Frome in Somerset, according to a new map of the country’s top 400 infidelity hotspots.

The picturesque market town – recently declared the ‘best place to live in the South West’ – has now officially been named the area people are most likely to cheat on their partner.

Frome has 1,309 people who are having affairs, which makes up 7.32% of the town’s population – a ‘Frome-nomenal’ 131% increase on 2022’s data of just 566 affairs.

The spike in affairs has been linked to the housing crisis that was officially declared by the town last month – with couples struggling to keep up with soaring rental rates paired with the cost of living crisis, people are looking for a cheaper alternative to divorce.

The most faithful town is Blackpool with just 0.38% of the town’s population having affairs (570 cheats).

The interactive Infidelity Index allows users to search a town, city or postcode to discover how many people are having affairs in any locality.

This year’s table from IllicitEncounters.com, the UK’s leading dating site for married people, shows that cheating has risen by 7% nationally since the start of the year as the cost of living crisis takes its toll on relationships. 

It is the highest annual rise in the 20 years since the dating site was founded.

Click here to find your local figure – based on data from one million postcodes – 

www.infidelityindex.co.uk
 

In second place is Weybridge with 946 cheats (5.95% of the population), followed by Wilmslow in third place with 1,484 cheats (5.77% of the population), Fulwood is fourth with 1,684 cheats (5.73% of the population) and Egham comes fifth with 422 cheats (5.72%).

Caerphilly is Wales’ hotbed for infidelity, coming 8th in the table with 1,998 people cheating on their partners (5.31% of the town’s population).

Motherwell has been declared Scotland’s most unfaithful town taking 10th place, with 1,447 cheats (5.14% of the town’s population).

Northern Ireland, on the other hand, is the most faithful country in the UK with its top town for cheating taking 157th place with 541 cheats in Newtownards (just 2.35% of the town’s population).

IllicitEncounters.com spokeswoman Jessica Leoni said “Frome is the new cheating capital of the UK. There’s been an avalanche of affairs, as no doubt couples are bearing the brunt of the cost of living crisis, and that reflects in these statistics. 

High mortgage repayments, rising rent, sky-high energy bills, an increase in food prices – with all of this financial strain is it any wonder that relationships are being so badly affected?

On top of that, divorce is a costly and drawn-out process – a headache no one wants to deal with unless absolutely necessary. Having an affair is a cheaper and more accessible alternative, so it’s not surprising that numbers have shot up this year.”

More than 1.5 million people have registered with IllicitEncounters since it started in 2003.

The average income of men on the site is £56,000 a year – with most working in professional jobs – while the female average is £48,000 a year.

The UK’s top 20 cheating hotspots
 

1. Frome, Somerset – 1,309 cheats (7.32% of the town’s population)

2. Weybridge, Surrey – 946 cheats (5.95%)

3. Wilmslow, Cheshire – 1,484 cheats (5.77%)

4. Fulwood, Lancashire – 1,684 cheats (5.73%)

5. Egham, Surrey – 422 cheats (5.72%)

6. Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire – 1,288 cheats (5.53%)

7. Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire – 526 cheats (5.35%)

8. Caerphilly, Caerphilly – 1,998 cheats (5.31%)

9. Leatherhead, Surrey – 589 cheats (5.21%)

10. Motherwell, North Lanarkshire – 1,447 cheats (5.14%)

11. Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire – 847 cheats (5.11%)

12. Redhill, Surrey – 1382 cheats (4.89%)

13. Beverley, East Riding of Yorkshire – 1,222 cheats (4.87%)

14. Arnold, Nottinghamshire – 1,946 cheats (4.87%)

15. Newton Abbot, Devon – 1,019 cheats (4.86%)

16. Kidsgrove, Staffordshire – 1,040 cheats (4.82%)

17. Chorley, Lancashire – 1,430 cheats (4.82%)

18. Farnham, Surrey – 1,007 cheats (4.80%)

19. Warwick, Warwickshire – 1,226 (4.77%)

20. Cambuslang, South Lanarkshire – 1,043 cheats (4.71%)

The UK’s top 10 most faithful towns
 

1. Blackpool, Lancashire – 570 cheats (0.38% of the town’s population)

2. Brentwood, Essex – 296 cheats (0.39%)

3. Wigan, Greater Manchester – 965 cheats (0.40%)

4. Craigavon, Craigavon – 229 cheats (0.43%)

5. Hartlepool, County Durham – 339 cheats (0.47%)

6. Ballymena, Ballymena – 103 cheats (0.49%)

7. Barry, Angus – 222 cheats (0.50%)

8. Bournemouth, Dorset – 780 cheats (0.51%)

9. Paignton, Devon – 272 cheats (0.51%)

10. Washington, Tyne and Wear – 296 cheats (0.54%)

AI:Do – New research reveals people are turning to AI to fix their marriages

* 66% of people have used AI tools like ChatGPT as a form of marriage counselling

* Majority of people say that couples therapy isn’t an option due to the high cost, seeking cheaper alternatives

* Study conducted by IllicitEncounters.com, the UK’s largest extramarital dating site

From unlocking your phone with face recognition to creating personalised playlists to match your listening habits, artificial intelligence is transforming the way we live, work and connect. Now, it seems people are turning to AI to fix their marriages.

According to recent research by IllicitEncounters.com, the UK’s leading married dating site, 66% of people have used AI tools like ChatGPT as a form of marriage counselling. 

When it polled 2,000 of its members, 19% said they had been to couples therapy in a bid to salvage their relationship. Of those who said they’d never been to marriage counselling with their partner, 22% said they plan to do so in the future, whilst 62% said it’s too expensive for them to consider.

With the cost-of-living crisis still having a huge impact in the UK, people are looking to cut costs in all aspects of life, and it seems that now includes marriage counselling. 

Sophie, 37 from London, a member of IllicitEncounters.com said, “I’ve been with my husband for nearly 12 years now and I absolutely adore him. He’s a highflier working in the City and after a promotion at work, the time we spent together became practically nonexistent. I’ve got an incredibly high sex drive, and I found myself constantly getting pushed back by my husband with the usual excuse of him being too tired, which brought me to breaking point.

In February, I heard everyone talking about ChatGPT and I started using it to ask mundane questions to see how reliable it was. Then, I thought I’d delve deeper to see if it could help with relationship advice. 

Explaining my situation and sharing that I was considering having an affair, ChatGPT of course tried to sway me away from infidelity and emphasised how important communication is. So, one evening, I plucked up the courage to sit down with my husband and explained exactly how I felt.

Having told him how sexually unsatisfied and lonely I was, to my surprise, he suggested joining an affairs site to find someone who could give me what I needed, with just one rule: it had to be purely for sex, with no emotional attachment allowed. 

My husband is fully aware that I use IllicitEncounters.com, so I wouldn’t really describe myself as having an affair, but I can’t tell you how positive an impact this has had on my marriage. We communicate so much better, there are no secrets between us, and our bond is stronger than ever.”

Sex and relationships expert for IllicitEncounters.com, Jessica Leoni, commented, “AI is being used in so many parts of our lives nowadays, and with the use of counselling and mental health AI-driven apps becoming increasingly common, it’s no surprise that people are now considering bots to save marriages. 

When misunderstandings in relationships pop up, AI’s can be like a friend who steps in with a “Hey, have you considered this?” or “How about trying this?”. AI doesn’t get moody or hold grudges, it just lays out the facts and keeps emotions in check, exactly like a marriage counsellor.”

Surge in women cheating on partners in shocking trend – broke blokes beware

* Number of women cheating is rising due to their partners earning less than them

* 79% of women say they’re not willing to date a partner who doesn’t match or exceed their own salary

* The findings come from IllicitEncounters.com, the UK’s largest extramarital dating site
 

According to recent reports, there’s a surge in women cheating on their partners, and the culprit might just be a little thing called money. It seems that as more women climb the ladder of success, some are straying from their partners who just can’t keep up financially. 

Gone are the days when women were content with being arm candy for a high-rolling suitor. Today, they’re taking control, refusing to settle for anything less than what they bring to the table. Nowadays, women have their sights set on partners who can match their ambition, drive, and, according to a new poll, their bank accounts.

A recent survey of 2,000 women conducted by the married dating site IllicitEncounters.com sheds light on this emerging phenomenon. Astonishingly, a whopping 79% of ladies expressed their unwillingness to date a partner who earns less than they do. 

When asked about how much their partner earns compared to their own salary, the survey yielded intriguing results. Among the responses, 47% said their partner earns less than them, while 31% said their partner earns a similar amount. Only a minority of 22% said their partner earns more than them.

So, why are women choosing to cheat if their partner earns less than them? One of the reasons cited by the ladies included heightened resentment from their husbands after no longer being the financial “superior” in the relationship. Partners who are unable to match a woman’s drive and ambition was also highlighted as a key factor when it comes to opting for infidelity, with ladies seeking fulfilment and a connection elsewhere.

Emily, a member of the married dating site, said “My marriage has completely broken down since I brought up the issue of my husband earning less than me. It’s not about being materialistic, I just don’t want to be the one that has to cater for them – surely it should be the other way around, or at least share the responsibility? I’m the one who covers the bills and pays our ridiculously high mortgage while he just sits back and earns his peanuts.”

Olivia, another user of the website, commented “The relationship with my husband has become so tense since I started earning more than him. All of a sudden he feels inadequate and it gets his back up that I’m now the one able to splash the cash. Our arguments have gotten so petty that I’ve had enough now, so I’ve turned to IllicitEncounters to find someone who praises my success instead of being jealous of it.”

When asked to comment on the results of the survey, sex and relationships expert for IllicitEncounters.com, Jessica Leoni, said “When it comes to relationships, money can really stir up a mixed bag of emotions, especially for the modern woman. It’s a real shame that men have a hard time accepting relationships where women earn more than them.

Times have changed. Women are more successful than ever in the workplace, and they don’t want to have to provide for someone earning below their pay grade. Could it be time we started adding salaries to dating profiles?”

Stresses of cost of living crisis causing marriage breakdowns 

* 78% of people admit to being unhappier in their relationship as a result of the cost of living crisis

* 53% of people have considered divorce because of current financial turmoil

* Study conducted by IllicitEncounters.com, the UK’s largest extramarital dating site
 

After the surprise increase in the UK’s interest rates at the end of March and continuing rise in inflation, a new survey conducted by IllicitEncounters.com shows that financial woes aren’t the only thing we should be concerned about – marriages are increasingly at risk too.

More and more people are undeniably feeling the pinch during the current cost of living crisis, and it appears that relationships are suffering as a result.

The extramarital dating site surveyed 2000 members, asking if they are unhappier in their relationship as a result of the cost of living crisis. A whopping 78% of members agreed that it did indeed have an effect, suggesting that marriages are increasingly coming under pressure in the current financial climate.

Of those who declared they’re unhappier because of the gloomy economic situation, more than half (53%) have considered divorce due to marital tension as a result of the cost of living crisis.

However, divorce for many isn’t an option. The costly and drawn-out process is a headache no one wants to deal with unless absolutely necessary, so seeking an affair appears to be the cheaper and more accessible alternative.

Jeremy, a member on IllictEncounters.com said “The atmosphere at home over the past year was so bad that I just couldn’t stand being around my wife. I’d look for any excuse to stay away from her because I was so fed up with the arguments about how we were going to pay our bills that month. Obviously, with that amount of tension at home intimacy was the last thing on her mind, and since I wasn’t getting any at home I felt forced to find a release elsewhere.”

Lucy, another member on the site, said “I’d felt really isolated since the cost of living crisis came around. With my husband working non-stop trying to earn enough to cover the increased mortgage we’re paying, I’ve barely seen him. When we do finally get some time together, let’s just say that his performance is well below par – I’m lucky to get two minutes out of him but most of the time he doesn’t get aroused at all! Can you blame me for looking elsewhere?!”

IllictEncounters.com sex and relationships expert Jessica Leoni said “It’s no surprise that people are wanting to find a bit of happiness in what are pretty bleak times. With relationships bearing the brunt of the cost of living crisis, people are wanting to find ways to get those dopamine levels up again. Constant bickering about bills, turning the heating down or having shorter showers isn’t exactly sexy and definitely won’t get your engine revving.

We’ve actually seen a huge rise in new registrations over the past year. Taking that into account, as well as the figures released in the survey, it really just highlights how the current financial situation in the UK is having an impact on relationships, and the increased need to seek solace in the arms of others.”


Results

Are you unhappier in your relationship as a result of the cost of living crisis?

Yes – 78%
No – 19%
Unsure – 3%

Have you considered divorce as a result of the cost of living crisis?

Yes – 53%
No – 34%
Unsure – 13%