Even if you’re fully committed to your monthly budget, it’s easy for holidays and special occasions like Valentine’s Day to push you over your typical spending limits.
Instead of feeling like you need to spend big on the special people in your life, it’s worth remembering that the sentiment matters more than the price tag. In fact, certain meaningful gifts and gestures can help you save money while demonstrating your love and appreciation for the people in your life.
If you want to stay on the right financial track while still celebrating Valentine’s Day to its fullest, you’ve got options. Here are six tips to consider ahead of this holiday.
1. Build a savings plan ahead of time.
If you know you’re going to want a bigger budget for Valentine’s Day spending, start saving small amounts weeks ahead to cover those extra costs. Set this money aside and allow it to serve as your budget for V-Day cards, a special dinner, gifts, and other spending.
If you’re determined to go all out on Valentine’s Day, you can still make that a priority. Just create a short-term savings plan that helps you manage those costs alongside your other financial goals.
2. Plan out your spending per person.
If you have a partner in your life, you’re likely going to want to make some kind of gesture around Valentine’s Day. But it’s also normal to buy cards and gifts for family members and/or close friends.
Structure your spending budget by allocating specific amounts to each of these people in advance. This gives you an overall spending budget for the holiday as well as per-person spending limits, so you can keep costs under control while ensuring you haven’t forgotten anyone on your list. Save yourself from the sticker shock of Valentine’s Day and raise your awareness of your spending around this holiday.
3. Find other areas in your budget to cut back.
If you’re committed to certain Valentine’s Day traditions that take a bite out of your wallet, you can offset those costs by cutting back in other areas.
Want to eat out for a fancy Valentine’s Day meal? Try to cook more meals at home the rest of the month, cut back on other entertainment spending, or reduce your shopping budget for that month so you can splurge on Valentine’s Day while keeping your total spending in check.
4. Make a fancy dinner at home.
Taking your special someone out for a fancy dinner is a common Valentine’s Day tradition. But the cost can add up quickly, putting a huge dent in your monthly restaurants budget.
Want to save money without sacrificing the intimate nature of the experience? Consider making a meal at home. You can provide a quality dinner at a fraction of the cost, and the time invested into creating this experience could have a greater impact than what you would spend on an evening out.
And if you’d like to enjoy some wine with your meal, remember that restaurants charge you roughly three times the actual cost of a glass or bottle. That means you can upgrade your at-home wine selection and still save on the total bill.
5. Create your own Valentine’s Day cards.
Instead of buying Valentine’s Day cards at the store, try making your own at home. You can save on cost while turning this into a fun craft project that results in one-of-a-kind cards you can give to your favorite people.
6. Stock up on decorations when they go on clearance.
Once Valentine’s Day passes, decorations and supplies will be available for a steep discount at your local stores. This gives you a great opportunity to stock up on Valentine’s Day cards, decorations, and other items you will want for next year. When the next Valentine’s Day rolls around, you’ll be thankful for the savings!
Valentine’s Day doesn’t need to be a source of financial stress. If you plan ahead, you can give yourself time to come up with a plan that’s meaningful and fun, yet still affordable.
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