I shop year 'round for gifts. My gift-giving holiday season starts with Christmas and then we have Valentine's in February, my husband's birthday and our wedding anniversary both in March. I buy perfect things as I see them and then decide at Christmas how to parcel them out for the next couple months.
Although it won't free up/save $100, this could help contribute a little bit. Make sure to unplug appliances, cell phone chargers, etc when not being used.
I am using one of the great cards I already own instead of personalizing one on the internet and I am hanging out with my dog this year and watching a movie.
This might be stating the obvious, but when you do reward yourself for good credit card behavior, just be sure that you aren't rewarding yourself with something expensive that just negates all the work you've done to reduce your debt.
We've been together for 27 years so we've celebrated many Valentine Days. There were years that we didn't worry about the money and others where we made gifts and dinner at home, bought combo gifts, went out to lunch and an earlier movie to save money. The main thing was to take the time to reflect on our relationship and how much we loved each other.
Off-season buys can help keep costs down. I tend to wait to the end of the season and managed to snag great deals on outdoor furniture (to go with my gas grill) a few years ago by waiting until August or September to buy instead of late summer and early spring. If you don't have the money to buy now, though, you can note when the seasonal sales happen and save up until the next year.
By having an advance discussion with your S.O. about the commercialization of love, and by showing *real* love all year long, you can save a ton on Valentine's Day because you won't be buying into (as it were) said commercialization.
Probably wouldn't hurt to recognize the day to each other, though: "I love the fact that you show your love every day, vs. buying a card and a gift once a year and being inattentive the other 364 days."
Thanks for your comment. Since I am not big on shopping, I have tended not to pay as much attention to the needs vs. wants issue but you are right that a delay can help you to sort through what is really needed (and for that matter, what "wants" are long lasting).
Good luck with the decluttering effort! Buying less can definitely help with that process and in my case, uncover some items that I had forgotten I had (and therefore do not need to go out and buy again).
A mix-tape on cd, using music that I've checked out of the library. It's reminiscent of the old-school mixtapes like we used to make in high school and it's cheap. A deep, honest kiss. A handmade card. Ask him/her out on a date in the future (after Valentine's day is over).
Thanks for your insights. I agree that we often think that we need to buy new, which is often the convenient choice. Waiting to see if something is essential and finding alternative means take more effort. But as you mention if you can earn the money to pay for the item, you can hopefully pay down debt (if you have any) while you are waiting.
Honestly, we save by not celebrating it. We've never been big on V-day, so we usually just have a nice meal at home and curl up in front of the fire. Makes for a cheap date, that's for sure!
My husband and I have saved one of the restaurant gift cards we received for Christmas to use on Valentine's Day. I'm also on various restaurant e-mail clubs. We'll get a free appetizer and dessert at Outback and may just have enough on the gift card for two entrees.
I plan in advance! I get gifts I know my partner will love with after holiday sales and other special deals. This year, I got her some arm warmers (in red and pink) for $1/ pair at an after xmas-sale and some self-inking stamps for only $1 each from an online deal at Staples in January. I already have a whole bunch of cards from free promotions at online card stores that would work for her for v-day as well. Total spent will be under $5 for card and gifts, but I know she'll love them all!
The hubby and I don't give each other gifts, but we will go see a movie (usually a matinee - cheaper!) and go to lunch or dinner at a not-too-expensive restaurant or just grab a pizza to bring home and play board games. We do buy our dogs a small special treat. But that's about the extent of our Valentine's spending.
I save by not doing anything! No cards, no chocolates, no flowers. Valentines' day is a consumption based holiday that I've always disliked... why do you need a special day to show someone you love them?
Getting rid of my landline is one of the best things I ever did. None of my European friends had one and they very easily convinced me all the reasons for me having one were completely ridiculous. Bad things can happen, but hey--I don't own a diesel generator, 6 months of canned food supply, or a bomb shelter either. Considering the massive amount of money I've saved since ditching it, I think I'll take my chances if the apocalypse comes.
But you know what they say--fear is the greatest motivator and also the greatest argument against change.
Break up before the holiday! Ok, so that's not WHY that happened, though I extended the v-day gift I'd been saving as an olive branch since things ended amicably: he loves the peppermint jo-jos from Trader Joes, so when they came out around the holidays, I bought some for him but stashed an extra box for Valentine's Day. That's a $4 gift that would have probably been fine on its own had things not ended.
Now freshly single, I've rsvp'd yes to a good friend who will be having a casual potluck dinner among a few friends. Chili bar, cornbread, and good friends? Sounds like a frugal win-win to me.
I ignore Valentine's Day altogether. It's a great money saver!
I shop year 'round for gifts. My gift-giving holiday season starts with Christmas and then we have Valentine's in February, my husband's birthday and our wedding anniversary both in March. I buy perfect things as I see them and then decide at Christmas how to parcel them out for the next couple months.
Although it won't free up/save $100, this could help contribute a little bit. Make sure to unplug appliances, cell phone chargers, etc when not being used.
I am using one of the great cards I already own instead of personalizing one on the internet and I am hanging out with my dog this year and watching a movie.
This might be stating the obvious, but when you do reward yourself for good credit card behavior, just be sure that you aren't rewarding yourself with something expensive that just negates all the work you've done to reduce your debt.
Use hydogen peroxide in the brown bottle instead of mouthwash. Some teeth whiting products are just repackaged H2O2
We've been together for 27 years so we've celebrated many Valentine Days. There were years that we didn't worry about the money and others where we made gifts and dinner at home, bought combo gifts, went out to lunch and an earlier movie to save money. The main thing was to take the time to reflect on our relationship and how much we loved each other.
Off-season buys can help keep costs down. I tend to wait to the end of the season and managed to snag great deals on outdoor furniture (to go with my gas grill) a few years ago by waiting until August or September to buy instead of late summer and early spring. If you don't have the money to buy now, though, you can note when the seasonal sales happen and save up until the next year.
By having an advance discussion with your S.O. about the commercialization of love, and by showing *real* love all year long, you can save a ton on Valentine's Day because you won't be buying into (as it were) said commercialization.
Probably wouldn't hurt to recognize the day to each other, though: "I love the fact that you show your love every day, vs. buying a card and a gift once a year and being inattentive the other 364 days."
Thanks for your comment. Since I am not big on shopping, I have tended not to pay as much attention to the needs vs. wants issue but you are right that a delay can help you to sort through what is really needed (and for that matter, what "wants" are long lasting).
Good luck with the decluttering effort! Buying less can definitely help with that process and in my case, uncover some items that I had forgotten I had (and therefore do not need to go out and buy again).
A mix-tape on cd, using music that I've checked out of the library. It's reminiscent of the old-school mixtapes like we used to make in high school and it's cheap. A deep, honest kiss. A handmade card. Ask him/her out on a date in the future (after Valentine's day is over).
Thanks for your insights. I agree that we often think that we need to buy new, which is often the convenient choice. Waiting to see if something is essential and finding alternative means take more effort. But as you mention if you can earn the money to pay for the item, you can hopefully pay down debt (if you have any) while you are waiting.
Honestly, we save by not celebrating it. We've never been big on V-day, so we usually just have a nice meal at home and curl up in front of the fire. Makes for a cheap date, that's for sure!
My husband and I have saved one of the restaurant gift cards we received for Christmas to use on Valentine's Day. I'm also on various restaurant e-mail clubs. We'll get a free appetizer and dessert at Outback and may just have enough on the gift card for two entrees.
Love these ideas. Exercising together (going for a run, taking a cross fit class, etc) is one of my favorite cheap dates.
We don't buy anything for each other, just spend some time together maybe watching a movie or making a nice dinner together
I plan in advance! I get gifts I know my partner will love with after holiday sales and other special deals. This year, I got her some arm warmers (in red and pink) for $1/ pair at an after xmas-sale and some self-inking stamps for only $1 each from an online deal at Staples in January. I already have a whole bunch of cards from free promotions at online card stores that would work for her for v-day as well. Total spent will be under $5 for card and gifts, but I know she'll love them all!
The hubby and I don't give each other gifts, but we will go see a movie (usually a matinee - cheaper!) and go to lunch or dinner at a not-too-expensive restaurant or just grab a pizza to bring home and play board games. We do buy our dogs a small special treat. But that's about the extent of our Valentine's spending.
by being a grumpy single person and ignoring it altogether!
I save by not doing anything! No cards, no chocolates, no flowers. Valentines' day is a consumption based holiday that I've always disliked... why do you need a special day to show someone you love them?
We spend quality time together instead of spending money. Much cheaper!
On Valentine's day we celebrate love. I usually bake something like red velvet cupcakes or cake w/ cream cheese frosting and sprinkles
I wait till after Feb 14 to get Valentine's Day goodies, like candy at 75% off!
Getting rid of my landline is one of the best things I ever did. None of my European friends had one and they very easily convinced me all the reasons for me having one were completely ridiculous. Bad things can happen, but hey--I don't own a diesel generator, 6 months of canned food supply, or a bomb shelter either. Considering the massive amount of money I've saved since ditching it, I think I'll take my chances if the apocalypse comes.
But you know what they say--fear is the greatest motivator and also the greatest argument against change.
Break up before the holiday! Ok, so that's not WHY that happened, though I extended the v-day gift I'd been saving as an olive branch since things ended amicably: he loves the peppermint jo-jos from Trader Joes, so when they came out around the holidays, I bought some for him but stashed an extra box for Valentine's Day. That's a $4 gift that would have probably been fine on its own had things not ended.
Now freshly single, I've rsvp'd yes to a good friend who will be having a casual potluck dinner among a few friends. Chili bar, cornbread, and good friends? Sounds like a frugal win-win to me.