How much does it cost to be a contestant on The Bachelor?

Have you ever wondered how much it cost to be a contestant on The Bachelor? When you break it down, the women who appear on show are required to shell out some serious dough in order to indulge their reality TV fantasies.

The contestants don’t have to pay a fee to participate, but they do have to pay an exorbitant amount of money for everything that goes in to earning the coveted rose.

This isn’t groundbreaking news but a recent report broke down some of the biggest expenses.

First up, the clothing.

ABC doesn’t provide a wardrobe for the contestants. In fact, the only article of clothing they provide is one dress for each of the two finalists in the season finale. Other than that, you’re on your own sister.

Jillian Harris is one bachelorette who broke the bank when she reportedly spent $8,000 on her wardrobe. Eight grand may seem like a small fortune but it’s chump change when you consider Olivia Caridi is rumored to have spent more than $40,000!

Ashley Spivey, on the other hand, was clever enough to get a sponsor for her season back in 2011. Instead of dishing out the dinero herself, her dresses were provided by a designer for free. Smart cookie!

Another aspect of the show some fans may not realize is the investment the contestants make to put their lives on hold.

Filming takes place over a six to ten week period which, for most of these women, means putting a hold on their careers and thus their paychecks. But just because their paychecks stop, doesn’t mean their expenses do too.

Bachelor contestants still need to pay their bills including credit cards, cell phones, and rent which can prove to be a tough feat when there’s no money rolling in.

According a Dana Weiss from Possessionista, she personally knows cases of contestants who went into substantial debt and even cashed in their 401k’s just to join the show.

But, it’s not all doom and gloom.

Many of the bachelorettes garner enough fame to cash in on their celebrity– even if they don’t take home the man. With fame comes followers and with followers comes cold hard cash.

Go Banking Rates consulted with a leading LA-based social influencer management company to understand how much money can be made from sponsored posts. Flat Tummy Tea anyone?

$100 to $250 per post for 100,000 followers
$750 to $1,500 per post for 250,000 followers
$2,000 to $3,000 per post for 500,000 followers
$5,000 to $15,000 per post for 1 million followers

Of course, there’s plenty of ways to make money other than promoting teeth whitening kits.

Ali Fedotowsky, Emily Maynard, and Courtney Robinson have gone on to have lucrative careers post reality TV.

Don’t forget to tune in to the series finale of The Bachelor on Monday, March 13th at 8/7c on ABC.

PHOTOS: Instagram