Cuffing Season on a Budget: 5 Ways to Build Your Relationship, Not Your Debt

Rom-com weather is here. 

Are you craving Love Actually cosy core? Snow, soft streetlights, someone scrawling ‘to me, you are perfect’ on a cue card. 

Finding your perfect person usually means dating, and dating means spending. And that’s hard! Especially when you’re trying to make smart money moves.

Here’s how to win hearts this Cuffing Season with intentional spending, that protects your financial wellness, too.

What is Cuffing Season?

Coined in the 2010s, it meant a casual hook up, with “cuffing” being an obvious (and sometimes slightly awkward) nod to handcuffs. 

Anyway… From there, the phrase made its way into popular culture, and before long, we were all using it! 

Now it’s a TikTok trend, a catch all for love and relationships at the cosy time of year.

Baby, it’s cold outside

When that first cold breeze in October sends shivers down your collar and blows last night’s fallen leaves into your face, a couple of glasses of wine and a chat with someone new feels like a welcome distraction.

Although, £14 for a glass of wine, £23 for a ticket to a Friday night show and £30 for the train fare, it’s steep.

Financial pressure leads to date rationing. A choice between love and money. Cuff or curb?

Our take? You should go dating. Fun date nights are what Cuffing Season is all about. 

We’ll show you how to use your money differently, confidently, so you’re the only thing on their mind. What you’ve spent doesn’t even factor in.

1. Explore a Christmas market on a smart money date

Who doesn’t enjoy a good Christmas market? 

Eggnog, warm freshly baked cakes and carol singers in full swing. What’s not to like? Plus, those cakes are made even sweeter when you think a mooch around and a slice each is probably a cosy afternoon for less than a fiver. A win-win in our books.

Second date ideas can be just as tricky as the first, and the Christmas market idea could be your get-out-of-jail-free card.

Enjoyed the first market? Maybe you could take a look at the one in the next town over.

2. A scenic hike to see the autumn leaves with hot chocolate

A hike and a hot drink, it’s an irresistable combo.

And you’ve got to make the most of those autumn colours before we settle into the heart of winter. 

Another hot tip from us: make your own hot chocolate in a flask. 

That way you get to enjoy your drinks for the whole walk, and they’re a darn sight cheaper.

3. A cosy night in with homemade pumpkin spice lattes and movies

Is there anything sexier than a chef with a tea towel slung casually over their shoulder, cooking up a delicious meal from scratch? 

(Someone with money confidence with financial wellness swagger, you say? Well, yes, that too!) 

Cooking something together has the potential for drama. 

The spice, the heat, the passion! Not to mention stolen looks across the kitchen island, plus a cheeky chance to peak inside all the kitchen cupboards.

All that, plus a homemade pumpkin spice latte, talk about a budget belter.

4. Free fireworks displays on Bonfire Night or New Year

Cuffing Season just isn’t complete without the obligatory silhouette photo of your date in front of the fireworks. 

Sparks will fly! Bonfire and fireworks events are often free or, if there are ticket prices, they’re likely to be budget-friendly. 

You could also walk up to a viewing point and escape the crowds for some romantic quiet time.

Remember your layers, or cuddle up, your choice.

5. Visiting a free museum, gallery, or indoor event

It’s a classic budget date idea, but with a few personal flourishes, your personality will outshine what you’ve spent.

Cheap entry, plenty of quirky conversation starters, and an easy, well-signposted exit if the whole thing goes pear-shaped. Winner. 

An extra tip from us: make this date into two with a coffee meet-up before sitting down to plan the museums you’d like to visit. 

It’s a good chance to chat about what you’re both into and get the vibes flowing.

Does your city have a few free museums? 

Maybe you could go for a sort of free museum “pub crawl” idea. 

Find a few that you and your date would like to visit and spend the day exploring them all.

If the date’s gone well, you’ve got an easy way to keep things going with a drink and a debrief.

Dating with intentional spending

Whether Cuffing Season is for you or not, it doesn’t have to cost a fortune. 

Whatever way you woo your winter love, be proud of your money moves! 

Get creative on your first date with some left-field experiences.

Talk with your date and come up with some alternative ideas. The chances are they want to save money too, so it’ll end up as a win-win.

Our parting thought is that you can have love AND money, not either or. 

You don’t need to shackle yourself to a restrictive budget. Smart spending and proud money moves, that’s the love story that will last the ages.