It’s that time of the year when we paint the town red. Literally! With a biting cash crunch all over the place, you may want to think of ways to celebrate Valentine’s Day on a budget, so you can achieve your financial goals.
Valentine’s Day, celebrated on the 14th of February every year, is perhaps the most popular date night of the year, which is why most couples, and sometimes singles, want to go all out.
From minimalist celebrations like the exchange of flowers, candy, cards or other gifts to the downright expensive like boat cruises, a night of fine dining a la table for two, or trips to exotic locations, Valentine’s Day is sure to come with expenses that can affect your financial goals.
It is also a time to appreciate friends in some social circles and cultures.
But expenses don’t necessarily mean expensive. You can have that celebration on a budget and still make it memorable.
Why celebrate on a budget?
Other than the obvious financial implications of having a loud or expensive Valentine’s Day celebration, there may be other reasons why you should have a lowkey date.
We understand that social media will be rife with money bouquets, surprise proposals, servings of platters and chants of “say yes” but you must stay focused if you’re committed to realizing your financial goals.
As one who is on a journey to save money and meet specific targets, you should not be stressing over your budget.
Other reasons why you may want a lowkey celebration may include:
- Creating the ambience
It may not seem like it, but celebrating Valentine’s Day on a budget creates the right ambience for you and your partner.
Many of the popular and favoured spots will likely be overbooked on that day. Finding a simple location in a not-so-popular neighbourhood may well provide the kind of intimacy you require for the night.
- Keeps you focused
Many regard having someone to celebrate with a big win, and they are right.
A lowkey celebration ensures you surround yourself with only the right and necessary people.
It also helps you concentrate on your significant other. Valentine’s Day celebration is not another avenue to network.
- Frees you from unnecessary obligations
You may be able to afford it, but the kind of celebration you’d like to have is not your immediate priority. Settling for a minimalist celebration unchains you from all of those obligations.
You don’t have to hire a Limo when you are this close to meeting your target saving for a new car.
Celebrate Valentine’s Day on a Budget
Other than all the shenanigans it comes with, Valentine’s Day celebration is all about focusing on what, or who is important to you.
So, why not cut all those high-priced bits out? Valentine’s Day should be about you and your partner. Everything else is extra.
To celebrate Valentine’s Day on a budget, you may want to prioritise expressing your emotions. Perhaps one of the following tips will inspire you on how to go about it.
- Consider a group hangout
This may mean buying group tickets to the movies, the beach, or any other location. One key benefit of such outings is the shared costs which come cheaper.
Valentine’s Day is just around the corner. Whether you are spending the day with a special someone or getting together with friends, a group hangout is also a romantic thing.
- Quality over quantity
We don’t have to tell you what your lover likes. That is for you to figure out. What we can however tell you, is that expensive doesn’t always mean quality.
To get the best of Valentine’s Day without backpedaling on your financial goals, make time for what’s important and spend quality time with your loved ones.
The easiest way to spend quality time with loved ones is to involve them in your day.
- Make a custom card
Nothing screams romantic more than a custom card. The card will have more meaning if it’s created by you instead of buying a card from a store.
Use your own words to describe the person you’re giving it to. Create a poem or a note of appreciation. Add a little “copyrighted” symbol on the back of the card for fun.
To spice things up, you can add photographs of your shared moments. No boat cruise can top that. Figuratively!
- Celebrate at home
Cuddle with your significant other on a couch and watch a movie. Kids these days call it ‘Netflix and Chill’.
It helps you concentrate on your partner by avoiding distractions such as surfing the internet, chatting on the phone while around people, or deciding to do some office work.
- Recreate your first date
This one is strictly for the brothers. There’s a good chance that the beginning of your relationship was the time when you made the most effort to show her your romantic side.
Valentine’s Day is the perfect opportunity to turn back the clock and remind her how charming you were when you were ‘toasting’ her.
Women love it when men remember details from when they were still getting to know each other.
Remember, the key is to celebrate on a budget and achieve those 2023 financial goals!
- Roses and chocolates
It has been said that no gift says “I love you” on Valentine’s Day like a bouquet of roses. Express your words with a rose.
Preferably red roses as they have come to symbolise the biggest date night of the year.
In addition, what is Valentine’s Day without chocolates? Roses alone create that sparkle, but with chocolates, your night is sure to be magical.
- Dress up in your finest
You may have decided to stay home but that doesn’t mean you are not looking your best.
Whether you are creating a Valentine’s Day classic movie list featuring some of the best romantic movies, or it’s a dinner-in-bed situation, looking your best spices up the night.
This is a very special day so pull out all the stops and dress up in your finest no matter what your plans are.
- Enjoy Valentine’s Day alone
You may want to consider this a bonus tip, but celebrating Valentine’s Day alone may just be your best option.
Yes, we are referring to the single pringles. Celebrate being hot and single and enjoy some time to mingle.
Treat yourself to a spa or a long bubble bath. You deserve it.
Reasons Why You Need to Start Budgeting
Away from the romance talk, there is no better time to take budgeting seriously than now.
The importance of making a budget is a financial lesson that must be considered. Following a budget is the only answer if you and your family want financial security.
Below are six good reasons why everyone should create and stick to a budget.
- Eyes on the prize
A budget helps you figure out your long-term goals and work toward them.
If you just go through life, throwing money at every expense that catches your eye, you will never save up enough money to buy a car or put a down payment on a house.
A budget forces you to map out your goals, save your money, keep track of your progress, and make your dreams a reality.
- Stay out of debt
Budgeting helps you stay out of debt. If you can’t afford it, then don’t buy it. Far too many consumers spend money they don’t have, and we owe it all to online loans.
Before the advent of online loan platforms offering seamless ways of borrowing, people found a way to live within their means.
At the end of the month, they were on track if they had enough money left to pay the bills and keep some away in savings.
These days, people abuse credit facilities and end up throwing themselves into a debt cycle.
However, if you create and stick to a budget, you’ll never find yourself in this precarious position. You’ll know exactly how much money you earn, how much you can afford to spend each month, and how much you need to save.
- Lead a happier life
Research shows that people who save and budget live happier lives than their counterparts who don’t.
As important as it is to spend your money wisely today, saving is also critical for your future.
A budget can help you do just that. It’s important to build investment contributions into your budget.
Although you may have to sacrifice a little now, it will be worth it down the road.
- Prepares you for emergencies
Life is filled with unexpected surprises, some better than others.
When you get laid off, become sick or injured, go through a divorce, or are bereaved, it can lead to some severe financial turmoil.
Of course, these emergencies always arise at the worst possible time—when you’re already strapped for cash. This is exactly why everyone needs an emergency fund.
Your budget should include an emergency fund that consists of at least three to six months’ worth of living expenses. This extra money will ensure that you don’t spiral into the depths of debt after a life crisis.
- Highlights spending habits
Whether good or bad, building a budget forces you to take a close look at your spending habits.
You may notice that you’re spending money on things you don’t need. Do you need that many streaming subscriptions?
Budgeting allows you to rethink your spending habits and refocus on your financial goals.
- Gives you control
Sticking to a budget will also help you sleep better. People who lose sleep over financial issues are allowing their money to control them.
Take back control of your finances! Search through our list of providers now and find the perfect savings account for you. When you save and budget your money wisely, you’ll never lose sleep over economic issues again. This is what we want for you!
