Valentine’s Day is right around the corner. With the end-of-year holiday shopping season barely behind us and the bills still coming in, now is not the time to take a chance on blowing your budget in the pursuit of romance. Here are 12 ideas to make this Valentine’s Day more affordable and special.
1. Set a spending budget.
Before you think about spending money on gifts or making plans, set a clear budget for how much you will spend on the entire day. This will help avoid overspending or impulsive purchases. Consider your financial situation and set a budget that won’t strain your wallet. Valentine’s Day is about expressing your feelings, not how much you spend.
2. Gift thoughtfully, not expensively.
Instead of buying expensive jewelry or electronics, consider handmade or personalized gifts. A thoughtful letter, a homemade dinner, or a scrapbook of memories of your time together can be meaningful and cost-effective. Instead of giving a physical gift, plan an experience you can enjoy together. It could be a hike, a picnic, or a visit to a museum—these can be more memorable than material things.
3. Show your wallet some love with discounts and coupons.
Many retailers offer discounts or special promotions leading up to Valentine’s Day. Use coupons, promo codes, or take advantage of loyalty programs to save on gifts, flowers, or dining. Check for online deals or flash sales, as many stores offer discounts for Valentine’s Day, and you can easily compare prices across digital platforms.
4. DIY and Save.
Make your gifts, like a batch of homemade chocolates or cookies, a framed photo, a memory book, or a jar filled with handwritten notes expressing why you appreciate your partner. A little effort can go a long way in making the gift feel special and more memorable than the traditional gifts of flowers and candy.
5. Avoid restaurant markups.
Instead of going out to a pricey restaurant, create a romantic dinner at home. You can set the mood with candles, music, and a homemade meal, which is more affordable and personalized than dining out.
If you decide to go out to dinner, remember that many restaurants increase their prices around Valentine’s Day for special prix fixe menus or meals with extra add-ons. If you’re craving restaurant food, consider going a few days before or after the holiday to avoid inflated prices.
Smaller, local eateries or food trucks might offer a more affordable yet equally special experience than the big chains.
6. Consider budget-friendly flowers.
If you plan on buying or sending flowers, send them before or after Valentine’s Day. Flowers are often more expensive on Valentine’s Day due to demand. Consider ordering or buying them a few days earlier to avoid the Valentine’s Day rush.
Instead of ordering from high-demand online services, check out local florists, grocery stores, or local farmers market, where you might find fresher and more affordable options. While roses are the go-to choice for many, consider other types of flowers to lower the cost.
7. Plan a low-cost, memorable date.
Sometimes, the most romantic things in life are free. Take a walk in a park, woods, or along the beach to enjoy each other’s company without spending a dime. Plan a cozy movie night with homemade popcorn and your favorite romantic films. It’s a simple, inexpensive way to celebrate the occasion without spending big on movie tickets or concession stand snacks.
8. Prioritize experiences over things.
Instead of focusing on material gifts, plan an activity that creates lasting memories. Taking a dance class together, cooking a meal, or going on a scenic drive can provide more joy than any store-bought item.
9. Track you spending.
As mentioned at the start, set a budget and track your spending. It can be easy to get carried away when buying gifts or planning activities, but tracking your spending can help prevent overspending. Use an app or a simple spreadsheet to ensure you stay within your financial limits. Adding items along the way or in addition to your primary experience or gift can quickly inflate the cost of the day. For example, if you go out to eat, will you have to pay for parking or valet service? If you decide to have food delivered, delivery and service fees can quickly push a reasonably priced meal into budget-busting territory.
10. Consider sharing your financial goals.
There’s nothing more romantic than talking about money. Okay, there are many more romantic things, but if you’re in a long-term relationship, this might be a good time to discuss shared financial goals. Consider planning how you want to handle finances together going forward—whether it’s budgeting for travel, saving for a future home, or investing in experiences rather than things. Our “Family Conversations About Money” online learning module in our Financial Education Center may be just what you need to jumpstart your money conversation.
11. Nothing says I love you like estate planning.
Love may be eternal, but life is not. A little preparation can help build wealth and financial security for your partner and family. As a Credit Union Member, you can save 20% on online estate planning from Trust and Will. Creating an estate plan helps prevent potential family disputes, gives you control over how your estate is handled, and can help avoid probate so beneficiaries can access their inheritance faster.
12. Give the gift of life.
Use the season of hearts to consider becoming an organ donor. As of December 2024, there are approximately 3,500 people in the United States waiting for a life-saving heart transplant.* Seventeen people die each day waiting for an organ transplant. Have a serious talk with your loved ones now about your wishes. Each state has its process for becoming an organ donor – learn more here.
Bonus tip: Share the love.
Just as Friendsgiving has become a popular way to gather with those you care about who may not have traditional Thanksgiving plans, consider opening Valentine’s Day to a larger group to help everyone feel special. Host a karaoke night potluck. Or consider having a game night. Here’s another way to share the love this time of year and earn some extra cash to help pay for a Valentine’s Day gathering. Refer everyone you know to join the Credit Union, when they join, you both can each earn up to $150 when they open select accounts with qualifying activities.**
Final thoughts.
By thinking strategically about how you celebrate Valentine’s Day, you can keep the day meaningful without breaking the bank. Whether you opt for DIY gifts, experience-based activities, or savvy shopping, we hope these 12 ideas help you make Valentine’s Day more affordable and special while being mindful of your finances.
*“Organ donation Statistics.” Organdonor.gov. Accessed 30 December 2024.
**Referral Program: Both the Referring Member and “Referred Member” will receive a referral bonus up to $150 subject to the following:
Referring Member must be at least 18 years of age, a current active member in good standing and not have caused a loss to the Credit Union, provide the name and contact information of a prospect within our Field of Membership, and the referral results in a new qualified membership. The “Referred Member” must remain a member for at least 60 days before bonus is paid.
$50 Checking and Direct Deposit Bonus: Eligible “Referred Member” must open a Checking account within 10 days of joining the Credit Union, and posted an ACH Direct Deposit amounting to a minimum of $1,000 per calendar month into the Checking account no later than 45 days after joining the Credit Union. The ACH Direct Deposit must occur for 2 (two) consecutive months before bonus is paid. Bonus will be paid by the 20th day of the following month. Both the Referred Member and “Referring Member” must have an active primary savings account at the time of the bonus payout; bonus will be posted to the primary savings account.
$50 Savings/Deposit Bonus: Both the Referring Member and “Referred Member” will receive a maximum for one additional $50 bonus subject to the following: Eligible “Referred Member” must open a qualified savings/deposit account with a minimum deposit of $10,000 (ten thousand dollars) in new money to the Credit Union within 10 days of joining the Credit Union. At least $10,000 must stay in the deposit account for 2 (two) consecutive months before bonus is paid. Bonus will be paid by the 20th day of the following month. Both the Referred Member and “Referring Member” must have an active primary savings account at the time of the bonus payout; bonus will be posted to the primary savings account.
$50 Signature Loan Bonus: Eligible “New Member” must open a qualified Signature Loan or Line of Credit (LOC) account with a minimum loan balance of $10,000 (ten thousand dollars) within 10 days of joining the Credit Union. LOC must draw/advance line within the first 60 days of account opening. Bonus will be paid by the 20th day of the following month. The “New Member” must have an active primary savings account at the time of the bonus payout; bonus will be posted to the primary savings account.
There is no limit on the number of referrals a Referring Member can make. Only the initial referring party is eligible for bonus, employees, officials and their immediate family members are not eligible for bonus. Referral Program will be effective July 1, 2024 until further notice, and is subject to change at any time. “Bonus” is considered interest and will be reported to the IRS.
