To answer the 'keeping cost down' question. I always play the 'treat me!' card; Get them to take you out! Doesn't always work but it will at least stops women expecting to be taken out and paid for... you can say... "Hmmm alright then, we'll go halfs' ... still to this day have avoided paying for the whole lot.

Also... as cheap as it sounds... I manage to get to places that don't cost much... bars mainly.