Meeting up new girls and paying for first dates is making me broke.

I am from Asia where it is still an expectation that the guy should pay. It is also those cities where property prices are sky high so people usually meet outside.

The most ridiculous part is these days girls u meet just sometimes meet you for the free meals. I am ok with rejections and ghosting after the first date but deep inside I am sore about how they are making use of me to have free meals.
Just want to hear all your thoughts about this topic.