It’s Red Tuesday: Data Shows You’re Most Likely to Get Dumped Today

If your relationship feels like it’s on thin ice, you might want to watch out for "Red Tuesday." Celebrated (or mourned) as the most common day for breakups, this Tuesday before Valentine’s Day is when many people decide to "un-subscribe" from their partners. Talk about a "heart-stopping" trend.

The site Illicit Encounters got the term "Red Tuesday" trending in 2015. A survey found that around one in four people have broken up with someone the week before Valentine's Day.

Why Breakup Now?

It usually comes down to the looming pressure of February 14th. Many realize they aren’t ready to invest in expensive dinners or sentimental gifts. As one expert put it, some people simply "don't want to buy the gift or fake the romance." It seems for some, breaking up is the only way to avoid a "bank-rupt" heart and wallet.

A New Relationship "Pressure Test"

This trend hits hardest for couples in the three-to-six-month range. Matchmaker Susan Trombetti notes that while older couples stay steady, newer ones often fold. “New relationships have a lot of hope, and breaking up right before a romantic day leaves someone really sad and defeated,” she says. It’s a tough way to find out you weren't "the one," but at least you save on chocolate.

Avoiding the Valentine’s Vow

Psychiatrist Carole Lieberman, M.D., suggests many people—often men—flee due to high expectations. They realize they don't have the "money to buy the expected gift... or realize they don’t have enough love to give." Rather than "limping along," they decide to pull the plug early.

If you make it through today, congratulations! You’ve survived the ultimate relationship audit.