How to Save Money on Valentine's Day

Valentine's Day is the holiday to celebrate love and romance. By the time you charm your Valentine, and wine and dine them, you may spend more money than you expected. Here are a few ways that you can woo your Valentine without spending an arm and leg.

Step 1
Plan ahead of time and put effort into your gift. Look for items on sale that can be used as a Valentine's Day gift, or create your own. Often a well thought out gift or a handmade card is more romantic than a store bought item.
Step 2
Set a budget for Valentine's Day. This can help curb impulse buying while you shop for a gift. Once you have a budget, use cash for your spending. You'll save money when you stop buying when the cash is gone.
Step 3
Watch for Valentine's Day specials. Many hotels and restaurants offer package deals for Valentine's Day. You can often save money by taking advantage of these deals. Generally, you need to book these early in order to reserve a spot. If a place doesn't have an advertised special ask the manager if one is available.
Step 4
Make a deal with your loved ones ahead of time that all gifts be handmade. Save money by using materials that you already have on hand. You can make many gifts for less than it would cost to buy them. For example, make chocolate covered strawberries instead of buying gourmet chocolate.
Step 5
Stay in to celebrate and plan a nice evening at home. You can make your beloved's favorite meal, enjoy a glass of wine and play a romantic game for less money than it would cost to have dinner at a restaurant.
Step 6
Send ecard Valentines. Several websites like 123 Greetings (see Resources below) offer free ecards that can be customized and e-mailed. You can also send a love note via e-mail.
Step 7
Celebrate year round. If you realize that romance needs no holiday, Valentine's Day may lose some of it's stress. Once you realize this, it's easier to save money rather than spend it on the hype. You can also buy Valentine items at a discount after the holiday and use these throughout the year.