February 14th looms in the near future. If you are in a relationship, the pressure is on to come up with a suitable nod to this retail holiday. Retail holidays can be a stressful time of peer pressure to spend money that you don’t have to impress someone close to you. My husband, Tim and I rarely celebrate Valentine’s Day because we show our love every way by the way we do things for each other. I know, however, most women expect a little or a lot of Valentine’s Day love in the form of a gift. So here are my suggestions.
No Cost Tips
If you are trying to get out of debt and stay on your budget, talk to your spouse first. Decide together if you will be exchanging gifts this year. You could rename your gifting to pay down a debt instead. If this is not an option consider a few of these:
- Get out for a walk or drive to see the sunset.
- Have a picnic dinner – at your house in the living room. (Don’t forget the music)
- Make some “gift certificates” for some of the chores on her list.
- Go downtown and “window shop” together
Low Cost Tips
- Splurge a little at the grocery store and cook a “nice” meal.
- Purchase “budget” flowers like carnations, which, by the way, last longer than roses.
- A small box of nice chocolate is better than a huge box of cheap chocolate
- For some more suggestions see this article
Remember
If you are getting out of debt, it truly is the thought that counts. Making this committment to each other to build wealth and get pointed in the right direction is the ultimate sacrifice and shows your love everyday of the year.
In later years, when you have built wealth, if you want to fly to Paris for Valentine’s Day and pay cash to do so, you will be able to. That is real financial freedom in action.
Tim and Kathryn Gerken are Financial Coaches in Newcastle, WA. They serve their community in the greater Seattle area.
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