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PERSONAL FINANCE
5 ways to celebrate Valentine’s Day on a budget.
New York Life | February 1, 2020
Updated February 6, 2024
How deep is your love? On Valentine’s Day, there’s so much pressure to spend money to impress the object of your affection. But we can’t all whisk away our belle — or beau — to the Bahamas. Diamonds may be a girl’s best friend, but not your bank account’s. There are so many wallet-friendly ways to show your love, so if you’re stuck for inspiration, here are five ways to say “I love you” this Valentine’s Day, if you’re on a budget.
1. Go on a date
When was the last time you went on a date? College?! It can be hard for us grownups to find time for a little romance in our lives. But, save the date, book the babysitter, and spend the night together. You don’t need fancy restaurants or five-star hotels for romance, just each other. Or if you can’t spare the time, make it lunch. Pack a picnic, take a walk in the park, feed the birds, be young, be in love again.
2. Book a table for two
If your budget can’t stretch to steak and a bottle of red wine at a restaurant, save on the check and the cab home by cooking a romantic meal at home. You don’t need to be Gordon Ramsey to put your heart into some homecooked soul food. Even if you don’t know your linguine from your porcini, it’s the thought that counts, so don’t have kitchen nightmares — just whip up the best dish you can and savor a romantic candlelit dinner for two.
3. Celebrate yourselves
All those happy times you’ve spent together are so easy to forget. But memories are priceless. So, relive them. That photo of you giving Snow White a bear hug on your Thanksgiving trip to Disney World; that sunset as you shared a pitcher of Long Island Iced Tea at the harborside shrimp hut all those summers ago: assemble a slideshow of your most-cherished photos from your past, put on some Luther Vandross, turn the lights down low, and remind yourselves how wonderful life can be, together.
4. Spend some time apart
Remember, “love don’t cost a thing,” but a little “me time” is priceless, so gift a couple of hours off to your loved one. Take the kids for a movie and let your dearest do whatever they please, be it watching the game with a big bag of chips, or putting their feet up with their favorite box set and a glass of Merlot. Next time, they can return the favor!
5. Check your life insurance policy coverage
Next to a surprise shopping trip to New York, nothing says “I love you” like ensuring that your loved ones will be taken care of in the event of the unexpected. This Valentine’s Day, make sure all your life insurance coverage is adequate and up-to-date to ensure the security and safety of your families. Like our loved ones who we can all-too-easily take for granted in our busy lives, sometimes we don’t realize just how important life insurance is until we really need it.
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