It's February, and you know what that means!
Valentine's Day is right around the corner. And if you're like most of us, you're probably already stressing over what to buy, where to go, and what it's going to cost you.
But wait! You don't have to spend your whole savings account or pencil in a special Valentine's Day spending amount to your established budget. Instead, check out these suggestions to find out how you can save money on Valentine's Day while still having a special time with your special someone!
Compare Prices Before You Buy
If you and your significant other plan to exchange gifts on Valentine's Day, don't wait until the last minute to splurge. Instead, plan ahead, identify the item you want to buy, and check out prices from competing distributors. You might find that one company offers the same gift for far cheaper, but you wouldn't have known that if you'd bought it on February 13!
And remember, your Valentine's gifts don't have to be fancy jewelry or expensive luxury presents. A practical household item or improvement could prove much more useful to you and your significant other, and was probably already on your to-buy list!
Don't Eat Out, Cook In!
Unless your plan is to pop the question, make a grand announcement, or propose some other huge life decision, you really don't have to drain your savings on a fantastic dinner. All your significant other really cares about on Valentine's Day is you — so why don't you treat them to a night in with a home-cooked meal!
Even if you aren't an aspiring chef, on Valentine's Day, you can pretend you are. There are literally millions of recipes and how-to guides online to show you exactly what you need to prepare a feast for you and your favorite person. And with the money you save on dinner, you might be able to buy them some of that awesomely discounted post-Valentine's Day jewelry after all!
Go to Lunch Instead of Dinner
If you absolutely must go out for a celebratory feast, opt for lunch instead of dinner. Prices are often cheaper at mid-day, so you can save a lot of money on your Valentine's Day meal. Many restaurants also provide special meal deals for lunch. You can likely afford to order an appetizer, drinks and dessert if you stick to the lower-priced lunch entrees.
Shop Smart for Flowers
Don't order through a national online store. Instead, go to your local florist in person, where you may find deals that aren't available online. You can also check out flowers at the grocery store or big warehouse stores. The quality is usually just as good as what you'd find online. Or make your Valentine last for months by purchasing a potted plant instead of flowers. Plants are cheaper, and they remind your Valentine of your love for a longer time.
Do Things Around the House to Show You Care
On Valentine's Day, you don't have to spend any money to show your love. Do you have a honey-do list that's a mile long? Tackle the projects your significant other has been asking you to finish. Nothing will compare to the smile on their face when you say you finally replaced the dryer's lint screen or built the bird feeder for your yard.
Create Your Own Valentine
If you aren't looking to buy something big, and you already have a flair for the creative, you might consider creating something from the heart for your loved one.
But even if it looks no better than the macaroni art you made in kindergarten, your SO will recognize the hard work and care you put into making something truly unique. They'll cherish the gift just as much or more than they would something created on an assembly line.
Make Your Own Memories
One of the best ways to treat every Valentine's Day is to focus on experiences over purchases. If you know you cannot or should not spend a huge sum of money on making the day special, you can always find alternatives. Go out into nature, or go explore a part of a city the two of you have never been to. You probably know your significant other better than anyone, so make time for them and treat them to something they'll think about for years to come.
Remember, just because it's an important day in your relationship does not mean that your lover wants you to drive yourself into debt just to show them a good time. Be careful with your purchases, plan ahead, and come out on February 15th happier than ever!
And remember, if you want to really blow your SO's mind but need a little help with the financing, there's always the option of a quick and easy personal loan from Atlas Credit, which has locations throughout Oklahoma and Texas. We can lend you anywhere from $100 to $1,400 that you can pay back at your own pace. Plan in advance and use our tips on how to save money on Valentine's Day with your sweetheart. Contact Atlas Credit before Valentine's Day to learn more!
