How Much Money To Spend When Going On A Date
This post contains affiliate links; please read our Disclosure for more information.Getting to know someone is an exciting and nerve-racking experience.
When planning a date you may want to keep things low key and simple.
Or, you may want to make a good impression and try to make a special moment.
Despite your preferred style, money plays a big part in dating.
You need money to pay for things when going on a date.
This guide helps you to decide how much money you should spend on your date.
Table of Contents
Dating And Money, What’s The Big Deal?
Naturally, you want your date to go well.
If things pop off you may just find ‘the one’ to settle down with.
But the unfortunate (or fortune) truth is that your date may not work out.
You may realise during the date that you’re not a match and decide to go your separate ways.
Some see this as a gamble of their money.
If things work out it’s a good ROI but if things go south it’s a wasted investment.
Although the feeling of wasted time is probably the worst, dating and money is also a big deal.
Say you spend £50 on four separate dates in one month, you’d have spent £200.
Should the dates not work out, how would you feel about that £200?
How Much Money Should You Spend Going On A Date?
A survey found that on average people spend £106 per date thirteen dates per year.
£45 of that is spent on the actual date, the majority is on a new outfit and hair-do.
This shows that spending money on a date is more than the cost of the date itself.
You should also include travelling costs such as bus tickets or parking fees too.
There’s so much to consider, but how much money should you spend on the actual date?
Around £50 sounds reasonable but that’s so subjective.
So, let’s look into some key questions to help you answer this for your situation.
Ultimately, ensure you allocate money for dates in your budget.
How Well Do You Know Each Other?
You could be strangers and are meeting up for the first time to get to know each other.
Or you may know each other from being in the same circle but never spent time alone.
You may be stepping up the game for an official date after some occasional friendly meetups.
This influences how you would approach this date.
If you’re still getting to know each other I personally wouldn’t spend too much.
I get it, you want to make a good first impression for various reasons.
But as I said earlier, it’s too early to tell if things will go anywhere so why spend a lot of money?
If you already know each other and are looking to spend time alone, you may choose differently.
For instance, you may go to a fancy restaurant to show this isn’t the usual friendly link up.
Either way, how well you know each other counts towards this decision.
What Type Of Date Are You Going On?
Taking a walk in the park with coffee will be different from a dinner date.
An event-based date going to a concert or social event will be different from the Netflix and chill vibe.
Your first date will look differently from your fifth date.
The first few dates are usually about investigating and weighing your potential.
Beyond that, it’s about getting to know each other and spending more time together.
The type of date you’re going on will influence how much you should spend going on a date.
A coffee date taking a walk might cost you around £10 including a muffin.
But going to a festival for the weekend would cost you much more than that.
This gives you an idea of how you could be chipping in for the date.
Who’s Planning The Date?
Hear me out on this, if I didn’t have a say in the date I shouldn’t be expected to chip in.
Maybe I would’ve chosen a cheaper alternative or something I’d be willing to pay for.
But I hold myself to the same standard.
When I plan the dates I plan to pay for everything.
Should my date offer to chip in that’s one thing, but I wouldn’t ask them to if I planned it.
However, if both parties plan the date things should be different.
Since you both had a say in what you’ll do, you should both anticipate to chip in.
In fact, as part of the planning conversation, you should ask “how are we going to pay for this?”
Leave nothing to assumption and don’t feel shy or awkward talking about money.
How Much Can You Afford?
Before planning a date or going on a date, figure out how much you can afford.
Did you make room in your budget for date nights?
Just because you can afford to spend £250 on a date doesn’t mean you should.
If you’re planning the date do so within your affordability.
If you’re not the one planning the date, I’d say you should still be willing to chip in.
But chip in what’s within your affordability.
It takes two to tango and both of you make the date so, why not.
How Much Can’t You Afford?
In the same spirit as above, know your limit.
If you can’t afford to take your date to that nice steakhouse then don’t.
If you can’t afford to book the Hilton’s hotel for your weekend trip then don’t.
Don’t go broke trying to impress others, even your date.
At the end of it all, you’ll be the only one who will bear the weight of your financial decisions.
Don’t fall into the trap of borrowing money to pay for a date attempting to make false impressions.
This includes paying for a date using your credit card.
How Much Money To Spend When Going On A Date?
I’ve read that many experts in this field say you should spend no more than £50 on a date.
The survey I mentioned earlier said on average Brits spend just under that on a date.
To be honest, this is not a bad amount but it’s all subjective.
I’d say spend enough money to make it worthwhile without spending too much.
There’s a chance things won’t work out so spend what you’re willing to lose should things go south.
Don’t think too hard about it, do what feels right for where you are.
Just make sure it’s affordable to you.
Hopefully, the above questions have you thinking about how much you’re going to spend.
Make the date fun and enjoyable, within a reasonable amount of course.
Dating And Money, What’s The Main Point?
The main point of dating is the opportunity to check out the potential of your date.
It’s your moment to spend time together to get to know each other.
Going to fancy restaurants or weekend trips is great fun.
Everyone likes dressing up, eating nice food and doing interesting activities.
But a date shouldn’t be about showing off your materialistic possessions.
I get making an effort to impress your date but don’t lose sight of the point of it all.
You’re doing it to see if there’s a spark between you.
Chemistry and conversation are so much more important than the other stuff.
I’ll take great chemistry with coffee over a five-course feast with no vibes.
But, once the chemistry box is ticked feel free to wine and dine with each other.
Take Action
Calculate how much you can afford for dates in your budget.
Dating and money is a sticky topic but remember the main point is to see if you have the potential for a relationship.
Check out our Ultimate Money Plan to get in control of your money and smash your financial goals
Share this to others if you found value in it and feel others should too.
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Knowledge is powerless without action
So take action, and take care
Thando
