Valentine’s Day Spending Planner

Tips to Save on Valentine’s Day

1. Use a spending planner.

If you haven’t already used the Valentine’s Day spending planner above, give it a go! You can map out exactly how much you want to spend and on what. It might be a wake-up call just how much a few dollars spent here and there can quickly add up.

2. Check for local deals

Whether you’re looking for a romantic dinner spot, a fun outing, or the perfect gift, daily deal sites like Groupon offer limited-time deals to get you in the door for a fraction of the regular price. Search by category or by location to craft the perfect Valentine’s Day celebration.

3. Agree to a spending limit.

One way to spend less for Valentine’s Day is to talk to your significant other and set a spending limit. This could apply to gifts by agreeing to a price cap (i.e. no more than $25 per person), or the entire holiday as a whole where you as a couple agree to spend no more than $100 including presents, flowers, and entertainment.

4. DIY your gifts.

Or, skip the gift buying altogether and opt for homemade presents. The most meaningful gifts are the ones you make yourself anyways. Plus, you can even turn the crafting of your presents into an inexpensive Valentine’s Day activity.

5. Celebrate on another day.

Keep more money in your wallet by celebrating Valentine’s Day any day other than the actual day. Restaurants and their fancy price-fixe menus overcharge because they know they can get away with it! Flowers and candy also have jacked-up prices leading up to the big day, which you can avoid if you buy them after the holiday.

6. Skip it!

To some couples, arbitrary days like these just don’t matter. It’s just a day and you should never feel obligated to spend money you don’t want to (or don’t have). Have a talk with your partner well before V-Day to make sure you’re on the same page about your expectations for the holiday.