I'm not a super hardcore mustachian - I'm only at about a 50% savings rate and have a high salary to boot so I do still go out/get the odd takeaway. Here's my hints:
- typically there are multiple events happening on a given weekend that your friends will be at. You should always choose the house party or other cheap option, because whatever you do you'll probably have fun, as it about seeing friends ;-) Also in terms of meeting the opposite sex this is far easier at a house party where you can say "So how do you know Bob?" as your opening line. Because you both know Bob, you're automatically not some creep, but Bob's friend or Bob's friends, friend, which makes women more likely to want to talk to you.
-If you're planning a one on one with someone do this at each other's houses. Save the "going out" fund for hanging with larger groups of friends or where there is something happening you're interested in (for me this is live bands).
-Going out can be free: offer to Desi your friends, in exchange they'll probally pay your drinks/entry fees.
-If I ride the bus, pre game and stick to basic beer and good night out can be had for approx 1 hour of my (before tax) pay. This is a worthwhile trade off for me. Spending 2-3 hours of pay isn't. (I live in a "socialist" country where alcohol taxes are extreme!)
- Do not miss the last bus. Set an alarm on your phone if you need to.
- I play in a band, so on the nights we pay we typically break even (we use our payment to pay for a taxi and we get free beer). YMMV with this hint ;-)
-Takeaway - Keep a nicely stocked Freezer. You don't need takeaway. It does nothing for you. Drinks mean you get to socialise and might help you meet the opposite sex. A lardy waistline probably is working against you. I mean as the odd treat it's ok, but no more than once every two weeks or so.
-Go to community events. Today I am going to a festival with free music and art shows... all FREE! Read your community newspaper
- Go to "young professionals" networking events (often free or very cheap). I'm part of my professional body for my career path, one for my industry (all careers) and I sometimes go to one for a related career. These are all free or the price of 1-2 drinks at a bar and includes drinks and nibbles. They are also great for professional networking, but a bonus is meeting other young successful singles ;-)