Oh the season of love . . . aisles packed with every shade of pink and red scream “Buy me!” Every florist shop teams with orders. Each starstruck lover seems to be enamored with showing their affection and spending their hard earned cash. But before cupid puts your budget in the red, pause. It’s time to think through your spending and find better ways to save money! Check out these tips to keep your Valentine’s Day full of fun, but your wallet happy, too.
Skip the Hype
You don’t need Valentine’s Day kitchen towels or curtains or every single novelty item you discover. Before you head down that packed seasonal aisle at your favorite big box store, have a specific plan in mind. Know exactly who you are buying for and have a budget in mind. Blindly picking through the items leads to impulse buys and overspending every single time.
Make Your Own Valentine
Rather than dropping $5 on a card that will be read once and then stowed away in a box (or worse, the trash!), consider making your own Valentine this year. You could get all crafty with your badself or you could simply write a letter. There are plenty of great FREE printable Valentines on Pinterest, too.
Be Smart About Flowers
From online to the side of the road, it seems everyone is selling flowers at Valentine’s Day. If you want to surprise that special someone with a big bouquet, be smart about what you choose and where you buy.
- Visit your local florist today instead of ordering online to see if there’s a special deal or a lower priced arrangement that you can purchase.
- If you’re a last minute shopper, don’t forget to check out the flowers at your grocery store or a warehouse store like Sam’s Club or Costco.
- Industry experts say skip the van on the side of the road, though. Even though the price is lower, these flowers are considered to be subpar and they won’t last long.
- Flowers kept at cooler temperatures are more likely to keep their bloom, too! Look for those refrigerator cases when you buy.
- Of course you could also always buy a potted plant that will bring spring just a little bit earlier to your indoor spaces and can be placed outside once the temperatures warm.
Opt for Lunch or Just Dessert
On the evening of February 14th, nearly every restaurant will be packed with lovers dining on their favorite foods. To keep the cost of the meal down and the crowds far away, choose a lunchtime date instead. If you really want to go out for the evening, consider ordering dessert instead of a full meal to save a few dollars.
Long Live the Mixtape
The technology and times have changed, but everyone loves a great love song. Make a mixtape *ahem* playlist or burn a CD with songs inspired by your significant other.
Simple Cute Candies
Instead of dropping $30-50 on expensive chocolates, find simple, cute candy and dress it up with ribbons and bows or place it in a fun coffee mug. There are always plenty of candy coupons this time of the year.
Celebrate a Day (or Two Late)
It never ceases to amaze me what we as consumers will pay top dollar for just because our calendar indicates its a holiday. One week later, the exact same product is marked down to a fraction of the price. You can celebrate your love of significant others, kids, friends, and family any day of the year. Don’t let the crazy calendar boss you around. Agree to celebrate the holiday later in the week or on the weekend. Pick up sweet treats and gifts a day or two later and then shower those you love with special gifts that cost a fraction of the price.
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