Valentine's Day

Make 5 cheap ‘greeting cards’ that blow Hallmark away.

Before I share with you my 5 great ways to make outstanding greeting cards, I'd like to rant about the four issues I have with store-bought greeting cards, like those produced by Hallmark in the millions.

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Now is The Time to Buy: Skis, Winter Coats, Candy

As winter continues to blast away in the Northeast, other parts of the country are warming up a bit. Regardless of where you live, it's likely that your major retailers are beginning to make way for spring merchandise by having great big sales on all that winter stuff.

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Last minute free Valentine's Day gift ideas

It's Valentine's Day and you don't have a gift. How could you know that when the evil girlfriend said "let's not exchange gifts this year," she actually meant "if I don't get anything you will never see any part of me naked again, ever!"

Here are some deaperate great last minute free gift ideas to keep the nakedness coming.

Origami stars

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Weird Things You Didn't Know About Valentine's Day

We've been offering a lot of practical advice about Valentine's Day lately.

Sure, it's nice to know how to save money on flowers, make affordable romantic dinners, and find good excuses not to buy your girlfriend jewelry. But what is the real story behind this expensive holiday?

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The Way to Your Honey's Heart Is Through the Kitchen

They say a way to a man's heart is through the stomach, but on Valentine's Day, our men take no pains to take that very route to their ladies' hearts as well: call every restaurant in town for a last minute reservation. Finally have the host at Chez Exorbitante tell you the only table they have is at 5:30 pm, but you'll love sitting next to Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Atric -- they have great stories to tell. Pay an appalling markup on a bottle of bubbly (had you only consulted the lists earlier). Suffer through a meal at a restaurant where every single customer expects personalized special-occasion service, from a waitstaff made of mere human beings. Avoid the risk of driving home full of boozy bubbles, by shelling out more cash to take a cab home (in rush hour traffic no less). Isn't it romantic?

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Couplehood: Avoiding the Valentine Clichés

Valentine’s Day is nearly upon us, and you know what that means: lots of people are going to buy lots of dumb crap. But you are above and beyond that, because you read Wise Bread. I’m not saying that Wise Bread readers are smarter than everyone else, but I’m definitely implying it.

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Flower Power - A Guide to Frugal Valentine's Flowers

Everyone knows that Valentine's Day can be pricey. Flowers, dinner, gifts (if you're that type) easily put a dent in anyone's wallet.

Well, preparation is the best prevention... or something like that. Want to save a little this Valentine's Day? Get ready now.

Order your flowers ahead of time. That means now.

Buy a vase before you buy your flowers. Sometimes, florists will offer really nice vases for cheap. A simple clean vase is great; if you know where you are going to order your flowers, call ahead and ask how much they charge for a vase. It should never cost more than $4. At least, that's my cut-off point.

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