6. One course and done
Whether you’re paying or not don’t go for more than one main course. It’s budget busting and you are more likely to have a heap of drinks to wash it down with and before you know it that’s a good £60 /£70 spent on a date that was mediocre at best. If you’re going to eat then stick to one course and MAYBE a shared dessert if you’re both really feeling it. This also keeps the date shorter.
7. Compress your dating into a day or week.
So many people date all throughout the month which is a waste of effort. If you plan all of your dates for one week and weekend you can plan your grocery shopping around that and save yourself from wasting food. You can also go to the hairdressers and salons and be date ready the weekend before. This maximises the fresh hair look on dates. I used to date all Saturday which meant I planned to live out of Waterstone’s Piccadilly and just pop off to different places in and around central London for the whole day. And I got to spend more money on my books. Are you sensing a theme yet?
8. Discounts do count
So lots of restaurants have struggled during the pandemic and are offering lots of deals especially on slow nights. Maximise this. You may think this is more of a second date thing but what’s the harm in saying you’ve got a deal or discount and would they want to join you. Just remember dinners can be long. Also some people eat with their mouths open. And order food with more garlic then dating sense would suggest was wise.
9. Plan your trip
Ubers aren’t expensive but they add up especially when that surcharge hits. That’s why night dates can get risky as you’re more likely to hit an uber surcharge time. Often times a date will start with drinks and then someone (me, the foodie) will suggest a restaurant nowhere near where we’re having drinks and before you know it I’m in a dodgy pub in East London at 2am dancing to Kylie. So yeah, plan ahead. Day dates saves you money and hangovers.
10. Have fun
Having fun is rarely expensive. Posh restaurants aren’t relaxed. Neither are hipster, pretentious ones so yeah, I’d suggest you plan dates which are fun and inexpensive. Art galleries aren’t a bad option if you’re into art or a walk in the park, British weather permitting. You want to get to know the other person. Save the interview and credentials check for date 2, if you click.
The Dating Budget 10 money saving tips: And … keeping track of your dating spend is fun. You’re really spending all of that on yourself not them but it shows you clearly expensive dates don’t always lead to date 2.
Happy Dating!
© Chelsea Black® 2022