With Valentine’s Day right around the corner, you may be struggling to decide how to best celebrate your relationship. According to a study by the National Retail Federation, Americans are expected to spend a whopping $27.5 million this Valentine’s Day. While it may be tempting to “join the club” and splurge on a fancy restaurant or lavish your partner with expensive gifts, spending too much money this Valentine’s Day can blow your budget and lead to credit card debt and financial stress. The good news is you don’t need to break the bank to create meaningful memories with your loved one.
Consider these creative, low-cost Valentine’s Day ideas:
No matter how you choose to celebrate your relationship this Valentine’s Day, it’s important not to spend beyond your means. There are plenty of creative and thoughtful ways to express your love without racking up debt and blowing your budget. Smart financial decisions don’t have to stop after Valentine’s Day either. With a high-interest savings account or high-interest checking account from Bank5 Connect, you can save for future celebrations, romantic getaways, and your daily life without financial stress. Plus, when you open a Bank5 Connect account you gain access to free credit monitoring tools to help you stay on track financially. Learn more about our savings products and credit card solutions today!
Consider these creative, low-cost Valentine’s Day ideas:
- Cook a romantic dinner at home. You can cook some great food at home for a fraction of what you would pay at a fancy restaurant. Cook your partner’s favorite dish or work together to design a menu you’ll both enjoy. Preparing a meal together can be just as enjoyable as the meal itself. When you do sit down, don’t forget the elegant touches. Use your best dinnerware and napkins, add some candlelight, and consider dressing up. Bon Appetit!
- Create a DIY valentine gift. Even the best clothing will eventually wear out, and cologne will be forgotten once the bottle is empty, but a thoughtfully crafted homemade present can be treasured indefinitely. Consider framing a cherished photo, writing a heartfelt poem, or crafting an artistic piece. Personal touches can make any gift unforgettable.
- Have a cozy movie night. Slouching on the couch and clicking around to see what’s on doesn’t sound too special, but a little preparation can turn regular TV time into a celebration. Select a movie that you both love or have been eager to see. Or make it a theme night and choose a few titles from your favorite genre, favorite actors, or favorite series, and watch them back-to-back. Make some popcorn, dim the lights, and enjoy a cozy evening together.
- Write a love letter. You’ve probably told your significant other that you love them countless times, but putting your words into an old-fashioned letter can take it to another level. Use fancy stationery and handwrite carefully and legibly. Bonus points if you can write in cursive. Once you’ve put your heart to paper, seal up your letter and hand-deliver or mail it – just make sure it arrives by the 14th!
- Go on a walk or hike. February can be chilly in many parts of the country, but that shouldn’t stop you from bundling up and stepping into the outdoors together. Pick your favorite park or explore some new territory. Use an app or website to find a hiking trail or park near you. Consider ending your outdoor adventure at a coffee shop or casual lunch spot.
- Take the thrift shop challenge. Set a small-dollar spending limit with your partner and challenge each other to find the most appropriate and thoughtful gift at a thrift store or antique shop. You can shop together or separately. If you decide to shop solo, consider unveiling your treasures over a home-cooked meal on Valentine’s Day.
- Celebrate the time you’ve spent together. Spend the holiday looking through photo albums or pictures and videos on your phones. Project them onto a TV for a nostalgic trip down memory lane and pore over your most cherished memories. You may also consider making a slideshow or scrapbook of memories that you can present as a gift.
- Plan your next getaway. Maybe a special trip isn’t in the budget right now, but it very well could be in the future. Spend your Valentine’s Day planning your next vacation together as a couple. Map out your vacation goals and start a plan so you can turn your dreams into reality. You might even consider opening a savings account together so you can save up for your trip.
No matter how you choose to celebrate your relationship this Valentine’s Day, it’s important not to spend beyond your means. There are plenty of creative and thoughtful ways to express your love without racking up debt and blowing your budget. Smart financial decisions don’t have to stop after Valentine’s Day either. With a high-interest savings account or high-interest checking account from Bank5 Connect, you can save for future celebrations, romantic getaways, and your daily life without financial stress. Plus, when you open a Bank5 Connect account you gain access to free credit monitoring tools to help you stay on track financially. Learn more about our savings products and credit card solutions today!