Are We Overspending on Valentine's Day? How to Save Your Relationship and Your Finances

Spending big isn't always the best way to impress your loved one, according to personal finance specialists Money Dashboard.

2013-02-12

EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND, February 12, 2013 (Press-News.org) St. Valentines Day is, traditionally, a day of romantic extravagance, with lovers often breaking the bank in an effort to show just how much their partner means to them.

Valentine's Day has long been big business and it's only getting bigger. This year Valentine's Day spending is expected to reach $17.6 billion according to Bloomberg, a figure that the same report suggests will be significantly inflated by price hikes of up to 200% on popular romantic gifts. It seems that marketers are well aware of how susceptible we are to overspending on Valentine's Day.

But is breaking the bank really the only way to show your love? While financial prudence may not be at the forefront of anyone's mind when they are thinking of how to impress their significant other for Valentines Day, splashing the cash doesn't always yield the expected result, despite what the florists, jewelers, and restaurateurs would have you believe. In fact, according to research by Albelli 50% of us actually believe it's the small gestures that matter the most on the big day.

There are lots of things that you can do for Valentine's Day that are devastatingly romantic without breaking the bank. As the old adage goes, it's the thought that counts, and when this thought is allied to a bit of effort on your part, it can reap rich romantic rewards without costing the earth.

While taking your partner out for an expensive meal might save a bit of time, you can make a much bigger impression by creating a lovingly cooked romantic meal at home.

Similarly, taking the time to make your own Valentine's Day card is a much more touching gesture than simply buying one from your local card shop - and it's a lot cheaper too. By the same token, growing flowers in your own garden can prove to be a much more effective demonstration of your nurturing side than splashing out at your local florist.

By using Money Dashboard's personal finance software, you can easily compare the cost of a creative, romantic Valentine's surprise with the projected cost of a wallet-emptying Valentine's Day cliche for yourself. This software can also be used to do your entire monthly household budget, so that you can have a much clearer idea of how much you can really afford to spend on impressing your lover. And, if you have a bit of cash left over, you can put it towards your shared dreams for the future, such as a deposit on a house or the holiday of a lifetime.

Website: www.moneydashboard.com

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