Practically Speaking: Valentine's Day Dollars

My advice, of course, is to save your dollars on Valentine's Day!  Don't get me wrong, my husband and I are all for Valentine's Day and for romance in general.  But that's just the point.  Be romantic throughout the year and you don't have to throw all your money away on overpriced red stuff.

We celebrate Valentine's Day at our house, we just do it after Feb. 14.  Personally, I love chocolate.  But it tastes just as yummy to me the day after the hoopla at 50% to 75% off.  I don't think those snazzy little heart candies ever go bad.  Wait until they'rre 90% off!  Your recipient will still say "awww" when you hand them the "hug me" and "you're cute" hearts on March 14.

"OK, that's great and all but (s)he is expecting me to come through on Valentine's Day! HELP!"  First, skip the roses.  They aren't a requirement and the prices are nutty.  THOUGHTFULNESS is the requirement.  Read that sentence again.  What does the person you are buying for really enjoy?

 A nice dinner - try cooking something yourself.  Skip the overpriced and overcrowded snooty French restaraunt.  Waiting for a table isn't romantic either.  If you're a terrific cook, your all set - you know what to do.  If you're not, even better - putting in the effort to make something special will be appreciated even more.  Don't forget the candle light! (Try The Christmas Tree Shop for the cheap candles.)

An evening out -  If you are in a warmweather climate, how about a picnic on the beach.  Does is get anymore romantic than moonlight?  Dance in the sand to a song you sing...in your arms, the melody will be pitch perfect.  Two left feet?  I say dance anyway, your partner will appreciate it even more.  Holding hands as you walk along the beach works, too.  In the cold weather?  Try a picnic in the livingroom or the bedroom.  Build a fire.  No fireplace?  Get one of those DVD's of a fire.  It's a little silly but remember the THOUGHT is what counts.

Jewelry - Skip Zales and go to one of those places where you can make your own jewelry.  The people in the stores are really helpful and it's not too hard if you keep the idea simple.  How about a locket with a special picture inside?

Artwork - If you are giving a gift to a parent, how about framing one of those masterpices from his/her little da Vinci?  You could always create a piece of art yourself - maybe you have more talent than you realize.   Love has inspired many an artist.

Mystery - Make a treasure hunt.  Put hints that lead to the next hiding spot and hide the next set of instructions there.  Put the treat at the last spot.  The treat can simply be the car keys.  Have them drive, you give instructions on the way there to keep the mystery going.  Make the destination that picnic, or place where you met, or, heck, just go parking!

Have kids? -  Try a house exchange.  Ask a nearby friend with no kids to make you dinner at their place and to set the table for you.  Once they arrive, head over for a romantic quiet few hours.  Bring along a movie to watch uninterrupted.  Offer to retun the favor on their birthday.

I realize that you may have seen some of these ideas before.  Perhaps a reminder in the midst of the holiday marketing madness helps. They are great ideas for having a romantic time.  They are also great ideas for saving your money.  Just because Hallmark says it's the day to say "I Love You," doesn't mean you can't love your money too.

Use Valentine's Day as an excuse to profess your love and Valentine's Day sales as a way to stock up on romantic ideas for later on.  Cards and treats are welcome any 'ol time!

Heather Montanaro: Money Correspondent:

Heather's column, Practically Speaking, published 3 times a month to Gather Essentials: Money presents practical advice for everyday living and provides insight on how to pair lifestyle choices with financial realities.

Heather Montanaro holds an Executive MBA from Northeastern University and has held senior positions with local technology and service companies.  Now she enjoys staying at home with her 2 young children.  She's made the adjustment from 2 to 1 incomes and enjoys helping others reach their personal goals as a Budget Coach.

You can find all of Heather's Practically Speaking columns at tag: budget coach

Keep up with Heather's other postings and Gather activity by joining her Gather network - just click here budgetcoach.gather.com and select the orange "Connect " button on the left-hand side of the page.

You'll find Heather and other Money Correspondents, plus celebrity content and plenty of other Money experts at Money.gather.com.