About dating this pretty wealthy man?

[NearlySpring]

I've met a guy who Ive been dating for a while now. He is lovely and we really get on well. He's funny and charming and we have lots in common, except that he probably earns about 10 times what I do (at a guess I don't know exactly).

I have a decent job and work hard but as a single parent with a house to run I don't have a lot left at the end of the month. He has no idea how much I earn as I work in sales and the salary for my job can vary massively. I'm not desperately short of cash and have money for nights out, nice meals etc but obviously no where near as much as he does. He likes fancy restaurants and expensive wine, designer clothes etc- all things I cannot really afford.

AIBU to have a chat with him and make him aware that my income doesn't stretch to his expensive tastes. I hate discussing money but as we are seeing each other quite a bit I feel like it's very close to me having to say "we can't go there I can't afford it". I don't like the idea of him paying for me (he always tries to but I always pay half.) But at the same time I think I need to be honest with him.

Yes, you should have the chat, hope it goes well.

I think it's very admirable that you'd rather split the bills, but if it's a choice between keeping on your budget or being treated occasionally it sounds like he would rather treat you. Try and enjoy it! As long as you don't feel he is trying to buy your affection/use his money to influence you it is rather sweet of him and not something to worry about.

Why not take it in turns to pay for dinner, instead of paying for half? Then when it's your turn pick a place that is more to your budget.

Agree completely with what Pag said. If he has plenty of money, him paying for you is probably far more of an issue in your head than it is in his head.

Definitely do have the chat with him. But I expect he may well say (or at least think) "that's fine, but every now and then I'd like us to go somewhere expensive, and I'd rather pay your half than not go there at all". And I think in those circumstances, you should say "that's fine" and not worry about any possible imbalance etc. If he is a nice guy then he won't think that him paying for you "means" anything, i.e. it doesn't mean you own him anything.