February 14th is just a few weeks away, and that can only mean one thing for lovebirds across the country: Valentine’s Day!
The problem with Valentine’s Day is that people can get so caught up in the hype that they make bad decisions with their money. They spend and spend and spend until the Valentine’s Day bill begins to compete with the Christmas budget.
But I’m here to tell you that you don’t have to spend a ton of money on Valentine’s Day. Yes, you can keep it simple and inexpensive and still have a great time. How? Here are several tips for making Valentine’s Day special without breaking the bank.
Go Out Before or After Valentine’s Day
To avoid those jacked-up prices, go out the night before or after Valentine’s Day. Not only will you save money, but you’ll avoid all the crowds.
Choose Coffee and Dessert
If the budget is tight but you still want to go out, then simply head down to the coffee shop. Grab a coffee and a nice dessert for you and your date, and you’ll save a lot of money while still enjoying time together and great conversation.
Deliver Your Own Flowers
Guys, if you’re buying flowers, you’ll pay a lot more through a florist who delivers. Go to a farmer’s market or a local grocery store, buy your own flowers, and deliver them yourself. Chivalry isn’t dead, so prove it! Delivering the flowers yourself adds a romantic touch that your date will love.
Stay at Home with a Movie
Sure, it’s not that creative, but you’ll still have a lot of time to talk and spend time together. Pop some popcorn, watch a movie on Netflix, and you’re good to go!
Invite Friends Over and Cook
When I was single, my group of friends used to get together on Valentine’s Day and cook a big meal. Besides being a lot of fun, this is a great way to save money because each person is only responsible for one thing. And, even if you don’t cook — well, I’m sure you can bring dessert.
Valentine’s Day is only as expensive as you make it. The quickest way to ruin a perfect date is to overspend and make bad decisions with your money. Remember, the relationship is what’s important — not where you eat for dinner! So enjoy this Valentine’s Day by staying on a budget and avoiding credit cards at all costs!
*As a #1 New York Times best-selling author and seasoned communicator, Rachel Cruze helps Americans learn the proper ways to handle money and stay out of debt. She’s authored two best-selling books: Love Your Life, Not Theirs and Smart Money Smart Kids, which she co-wrote with her father, Dave Ramsey. You can follow Cruze on Twitter and Instagram at @RachelCruze and online at rachelcruze.com, youtube.com/rachelcruze or facebook.com/rachelramseycruze.
