What is it like to be a sugar baby?

Being a sugar baby: What is it like? You may be asking yourself because you’re thinking of signing up for a sugar dating site. Or, perhaps you have a loved one who is talking about becoming a sugar baby. Either way, you want to know what it’s really like for people who choose this lifestyle.

In this Q&A article, we’ll share the benefits and challenges of having a sugar daddy relationship from the perspective of experienced sugar babies! Plus, our contributors have some advice for getting started.

Hannah, Los Angeles, CA

What made you decide to become a sugar baby?

Maybe it’s kind of cliché but I started sugaring when I was in college. I was kind of lost, and didn’t know what I wanted to do after graduation, but I knew that I was probably going to have a lot of debt. I thought, “I can get a corporate (soul-crushing) job with a steady income. Or, I can get creative.” So I got creative.

I’ve always been interested in comedy and stand-up but because it’s so hard to get started, I didn’t think it would be an option for me. But, sugaring gave me the financial backing to start getting serious about stand-up. In the very early days, I would make my sugar daddies take me out to bars that I knew had open mics that night! It was so embarrassing, but eventually, it paid off because one of my dates was friends with a club owner. He obviously liked my set because he told his friend he had to book me! It was my first big break.

What is a wrong assumption that people make about sugaring?

I think new sugar babies get intimidated by the idea of dating someone way above their own income level. But, at least in my experience, I’m not dating billionaires. They tend to be men who make enough to live comfortably and treat their sugar babies well. I think keeping that in mind takes some of the pressure off, at least for me.

Chad, New York City NY

What is one pro and one con of sugaring?

The biggest pro for me is being able to enjoy the side of NYC that I never would have access to on my own. Like, I come home and my roommates ask me, “Okay, who was the most famous person you met on this date?” Because one time I dated a sugar daddy who was the stylist for…well, I can’t say. But, I got to meet her at the event that my sugar daddy took me to and I was just dying. I couldn’t believe it.

As far as cons go, it’s definitely harder than most people think. You have to tap into your inner performer and show up with a smile, looking your best, dressed well. You never know who you’re going to meet and your sugar daddy is expecting you to make a good impression on their colleagues. So, you can’t be shy or in a bad mood.

What advice would you give to another male sugar baby?

Competition is fierce, so make sure that your profile is fire. One mistake can cost you a second date (or even a first one!) so take it seriously.

Chleo, Nomad

How does sugaring fit in with your travel lifestyle?

Hands down, I would not be able to live this lifestyle without sugaring. Okay, maybe I would, but it definitely wouldn’t be the same. I have online work but it’s kind of sporadic and I don’t want to ever feel like I’m stuck in one country because I don’t have my next project lined up.

Having a sugar daddy takes a lot of that anxiety away because I know I’m going to be taken care of no matter what.

But, it’s more than just the practical side. Having sugar daddies all over the world is like having a personal tour guide in every country, only way better. If I want to go wine tasting in Italy or snorkeling in Bali, I can just look for a sugar daddy in those places and I’m set.

What advice do you have for sugar babies who want to be nomads?

This lifestyle certainly isn’t for everyone, and I would say, give it a good year before you decide whether you want to stick with it or not. Traveling can be stressful, and meeting sugar daddies can be stressful. So, doing both at the same time is challenging! But, the more you do it, the easier it gets. And, it may sound basic, but having a gratitude journal helps to keep things in perspective!

Mario, Melbourne, Australia

How did you meet your first sugar daddy?

My first sugar daddy was actually a sugar momma! She was a close friend of my family and offered to mentor me because I was interested in going into her field. To be honest, I always thought she was beautiful and confident. I wanted to spend time with her. It ended up not working out, but I was left with that experience of being with an older, successful woman. So I signed up for a sugaring website.

How do you deal with the downsides of sugaring?

What downsides? Ha! Just kidding. Of course, there are challenges, just like with any kind of relationship. For sugar babies, you have to find a partner who really treats you like a person. Like, yes, you both know what you’re signing up for, but if there’s no chemistry or emotional connection, it will end up feeling like a transaction instead of a partnership. So, I guess, one of the downsides is that learning process. Of having to go through a few bad dates and realizing that you have to have your own back.

One of the ways that I got through it was to remind myself of my first sugar partner. I told myself that I had one good experience in the past, and I could find it again. And it kind of gave me the hope and motivation to keep trying. Then, it’s just a numbers game. The more you date, the more likely you are to find sugar daddies or mommas who treat you well.

Advice for aspiring sugar babies

Now that you’ve gotten an inside look into sugar baby experiences, you might be ready to try it out for yourself! Before you get started, here are some parting words of advice from our contributors:

• Think hard about what sugaring can do for you. Having specific goals is key.
• Find the right kind of arrangement. There are different styles of sugaring, some more casual and others more committed.
• Treat it like a job. Show up on time, be professional, dress for the part, put in the hours, etc.
• Stay positive, but realistic at the same time. Optimism is not the same thing as naivete. So, believe in yourself without letting anyone take advantage of you.
• Learn from your mistakes. Every sugar baby has made a mistake. The successful ones reflect on them and learn.
• Have fun. Sugaring takes time and effort. But it should also be fun. Being a sugar baby should elevate your life, so make sure to enjoy the ride!