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Celebrate Valentine’s Day Within a Budget

Valentine's Day Hearts

Valentine's Day Money Saving Ideas

Once upon a very long time ago, Valentine’s Day was all about romance.  Romance wasn’t expensive.  It was long warm glances across a room, sweet kisses stolen from smiling lips, and promises sealed with heart-shaped cards.  According to National Retail Federation, it appears that love is measured in dollars as Americans are expected to spend over 21 billion on more than just candy hearts.   And that’s during a pandemic!

As a small business owner who must watch every penny, I’ve found fantastic ways to spend this day of love and keep from draining my wallet.   Follow along as I share my tips with you.

Sentiments shouldn’t cost more than a car payment.

Like a typical woman, I like gifts.  And jewelry?  Those little boxes give me goosebumps.  However, as much as I love a nice piece of sparkly, I’d rather save those dollars.  I reconcile my girlish tendencies by shopping at thrifts.  It’s amazing how much I can find there for a few dollars.  In addition, every dollar I spend helps others. 

Alternatively, our local Cost Plus World Market typically sells earrings at a discount – my favorite – right before Valentine’s Day.  The man in my life can pick up a couple pairs and still have change from a twenty.  They even offer a cute little cloth bag as a unique wrapping—much cuter than a little box. 

Cook dinner for your loved one.

According to a finder.com study, this year’s valentines plan to spend on average $70 on dining out—down significantly from previous years.  Still, for that amount, I can have any type of dinner I want paired with my favorite wine and still have money left.  Moreover, it’s just more romantic when my hubby does the cooking for me.  He knows exactly how I like my steak.   

Total cost for steak dinner with a bottle of $15 wine for the both of us: $30.  A romantic evening at home = priceless.

Be creative with romantic symbols.

No doubt that roses are synonymous with love here in the states.  However, a dozen roses delivered can set a person back $50+.  This is when ingenuity comes to the rescue.  Since I’ve introduced my hubby to the nearby thrift store, he shops there first for items like vases.  He found a nice slender one for fifty cents.  Dollar store works too. 

Stopping off at a local grocery store, he picks up a single rose tied up with a pretty red ribbon for $2.  Keeping true to his thrifty, and yet thoughtful nature, we finished off his display of love with a $5 Starbucks gift card—mochas…yum.  Total savings: $42.50

Of course, I loved it!

Don’t forget the sweet romantic symbol.

A heart-shaped box of chocolate is another indelible symbol of love this time of year.  However, a box of the good stuff is typically about $20 or more.  Waiting until the day after Valentine’s Day, I can pick up that box for my sweetie at 70% off.  It all tastes the same, even if one day late.

Ditch the store-bought card.

I stopped purchasing cards years ago.  Instead, I create my own with desktop software I also use for my business. (previous year’s version: $15) The cards are lovely, personal, and are the price of the paper I use—usually less than a nickel.  That said, creating a digital card is simple these days. 

Be creative, save money and enjoy each other.

More by Rebecca

How I Cut My Food Bill in Half

How I Get My Budget Under Control

Three Top Gas Saving Tips


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