Sometimes, simply being with them is all I need. This is just my pov ofc, and people prefer different things in a relationship which is totally okay. I don’t have a lot of money, so I like going on intimate dates that don’t require a lot of spending (picnics, going for a walk in the park, making snacks and watching a movie together at home, etc)
Also I know we’re talking about effort and it does definitely matter. No question. But if we just look at this post objectively, dinner reservations imply that it’s about spending money. It’s just how dating works. Guys paying on dates is the social norm. Most people don’t say it upfront, but for a lot of women, effort means paying. Also, saying “I don’t want to see you” sounds more like wanting the full fancy treatment, not just hanging out and spending actual quality time with that person.