Paying while on a serious date, if its worth it, pay for it.
Thats going back to the basics of life. If the girl is worth it and your able to, don't become the 'bitch' that pays everything for her.

So just do what your guts tells you todo, this what also got you into dating in the first place.

This are just my $0,02

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True communication is communion―the realization of oneness, which is love! ~ Eckhart Tolle

I agree Kasabi. If I was my natural self, I would just insist on paying -- not because I expect sex but because it's polite. Hell, if I'm out with my friends or co-workers, I sometimes do the same.

Ok, I finally made it through all these replies and there's some good advice and... sadly, some really bad advice too. As to your specific question, tell her ahead of time that, as a rule, you believe in splitting the bill on the first few dates. Say you feel it makes it seem like less of a "date" and makes both party's feel more comfortable and doesn't set up any... expectations (there's no way she can argue with this without coming off as a gold-digger since it seems like you're doing this for her). As far as her "financial situation" goes, if she knows this ahead of time you guys will be able to pick a place within both of your budgets. Definitely do not neg her after the bill has come. Chances are, if she didn't go for her wallet, this will shock her and she'll take it as bitterness on your part. She may even get defensive and tell you that if you wanted to split it you should've told her ahead of time or just asked; then you're back looking at the next internet profile trying to decide if the girl in the picture is fat or not.

Next, you need to handle every girl the PUA way. PUA skills are just as necessary for establishing relationships. My brother is one of the greatest PUA's I've ever seen. He's married, he's faithful, and he gets burgers in bed at midnight. Hell, when his daughter was born he put her in the spare room with his wife and put a fan on the other side of the door so he could sleep through the night the first few months. Is that the kind of relationship you want? Or would you rather be just another AFC who's girlfriend/wife ends up dominating him?

Ok, I finally made it through all these replies and there's some good advice and... sadly, some really bad advice too. As to your specific question, tell her ahead of time that, as a rule, you believe in splitting the bill on the first few dates. Say you feel it makes it seem like less of a "date" and makes both party's feel more comfortable and doesn't set up any... expectations (there's no way she can argue with this without coming off as a gold-digger since it seems like you're doing this for her). As far as her "financial situation" goes, if she knows this ahead of time you guys will be able to pick a place within both of your budgets. Definitely do not neg her after the bill has come. Chances are, if she didn't go for her wallet, this will shock her and she'll take it as bitterness on your part. She may even get defensive and tell you that if you wanted to split it you should've told her ahead of time or just asked; then you're back looking at the next internet profile trying to decide if the girl in the picture is fat or not.

Next, you need to handle every girl the PUA way. PUA skills are just as necessary for establishing relationships. My brother is one of the greatest PUA's I've ever seen. He's married, he's faithful, and he gets burgers in bed at midnight. Hell, when his daughter was born he put her in the spare room with his wife and put a fan on the other side of the door so he could sleep through the night the first few months. Is that the kind of relationship you want? Or would you rather be just another AFC who's girlfriend/wife ends up dominating him?

It's only a lame dinner if you make it lame dinner. You can buy EVERYTHING and still make it spontaneous and make a great connection. You can also be a cheapskate and still make it work. You're advocating one particular habit of social interactions and it's based on financial expenditure:
What I am trying to convey is that it's not the actual differences in monetary expenditure that creates mistrust and failure of a connection but rather our society's general belief in money that trips up most guys. Most spend money to get something in return. We act in order to get something in return. As you already mentioned, if one is caught up with this mindset, then he/she should force themselves to go 50/50 in terms of financial input. But then, you'd also be stuck dating ONLY girls in your socio-economic class. There's more to life than that.

Pecos,

Again . . . this is good advice if you're only dating girls in your socio-economic class. Look . . . if a girl is to used to the high life, you might be able to squeeze one date out of her for a pop corn and a walk around the park but eventually, she's going to want to enjoy the life to which is she is accustomed. What will you do if you can't split the bill? And what if you're interested in a girl who can't split the bill for the lifestyle YOU are accustomed to. Will you then sacrifice your lifestyle for the sake of "dating"?