A date has traditionally been a chance to impress by splashing out, but it seems singletons are shaking off the stigma around money-saving and opting for cut-price methods to woo potential partners.
One cashback website has reported that an increasing proportion of its members are willing to produce a discount voucher to reduce the cost of a first date.
And their choice of venue also shows signs of thrift. TopCashback.co.uk revealed the three most popular discount codes from the week beginning 7 February - when many couples made plans for Valentine’s Day - were a 20 per cent off voucher for Frankie & Benny’s followed by 20 per cent off all food at Harvester and three courses for £12.95 discount at Pizza Express.
Discount dating: Frankie & Benny's has proved popular with dating couples.It said that it is now common practice for cash strapped would-be couples to use discounts vouchers on a date - with a third of its users saying they had used one to help reduce the bill. Just 12 per cent said they should wait until the second encounter.
More... 'British Gas insisted that a Polish man was living in my beauty salon and hounded me with a shock bill' First Utility customers face £200 energy bill hike as supplier pushes up prices by 18% Get free cashback when you buy onlineOnly 13 per cent of members said they would ditch their date if they paid for dinner on the cheap.
With spare cash under more pressure than ever, almost nearly 90 per cent of respondents said they wouldn’t be offended if their date used a discount code to help pay the bill.
DISCOUNT FINDERWebsites like vouchercodes.co.uk, Savoo.co.uk and myvouchercodes.co.uk are a reliable source to find and check vouchers. You don't want to turn up to a date with a dud discount!
Check cashback websites like TopCashack and Quidco for in-store and online discount codes too.
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While a third said that you should wait until you’re officially a 'couple' before showing off your thrifty side.Only 1 per cent, of the 1,500 people surveyed by the cashback website, said that a voucher should never be used on a date.
Natasha-Rachel Smith, from TopCashback.co.uk, said: ‘With recent news that 32 per cent of households have reported a squeeze in their finances, it’s clear that budgeting and money-saving continues to be high on our agenda.
It’s due to this that we’re seeing a change in the perception around using discount vouchers, codes and cashback deals, which are increasing in popularity and forming part of consumers’ everyday spending habits, to the point that using a voucher at a restaurant has become the norm – even a prerequisite - for many.’
