At some point in time, it became a standard that we had to spend copious amounts of money on Valentine’s Day to impress our significant other, often to outdo a previous year’s celebration. Still, the truth of the matter is that you don’t even need to spend mucho dinero on Valentine’s Day.

Taking the time to plan a day with your significant other might go over even better than an expensive gift that you grabbed at the nearest store because it shows you cared enough to put some effort and thought into the day.

Here are a few ideas you can use to make your Valentine’s Day truly memorable without breaking the bank.

Have an indoor picnic. Charcuterie boards may sound ridiculously expensive, but the truth is you can make your own for under $15 – stocked with delicious meats, cheeses, crackers, nuts, and fruit! Brownie points if you happen to have a fireplace and set up a blanket with a nice bottle of wine in front of it. Who wouldn’t swoon over that?

Play 20 questions. This game pairs well with the picnic idea and will give you something to discuss between wedges of cheese and sliced meats. There’s bound to be something you don’t know about one another, so taking the time to get to know your partner on a deeper level will allow you to understand them better. You might even get ideas on their likes and dislikes and file them away for future special occasions. Don’t know this game? Here’s how to play.

Create an in-home spa. Who doesn’t enjoy being pampered in some way? Even those who normally don’t treat themselves would enjoy a romantic backrub. Why not light up some candles, put on some relaxing music, dim the lights, and stock up on mud masks (they sell these at dollar stores now!)? Even more bonus points if you prep a bit by watching massage techniques on Youtube!

Binge watch movies or a TV series. Bring the theatre experience to your living room by grabbing a bottle of wine, popcorn, chips, and chocolate (or whatever your favorite treats are) and bunker down in the cuddle position on that couch because you’re in it for the long-haul. Be sure to pick a series you’ll both enjoy; otherwise you’ll be praying for one of you to pass out, or worse, one of you will be reaching for your phone and playing yet another round of Candy Crush. Cringe.

Prepare dinner yourself. What’s that? You were going to order in? Why not make a meal yourself? It will cost a fraction of takeout, and you’ll get definite bonus points if you nail the recipe and prove your cooking prowess. There are so many YouTube chefs that can show you how to make a fantastic meal that will impress the heck out of anyone on a shoestring budget.

With these tips, you should be able to put together an incredible night with minimal cost impact. But, you will indeed need money if you want to go farther and pricier. With some financial planning, you could pull that off.

If you want to talk about planning your financial future (to help finance your Valentine’s Day exploits, among other things), give us a call at 513-563-PLAN (7526), or go online and book your free 15-minute chat with us.

Let’s get started with your plan today.

Regards,
Nikki Earley, CFP®