6 Ways to Celebrate Valentine’s Day on a Budget

Posted on February 11, 2025 by VP of Marketing and Business Development Jessica

Valentine’s Day is about celebrating love — not emptying your wallet. Whether you’re looking to make new traditions, get creative, or simply rethink how you celebrate – there are plenty of ways to make the day special without overspending. Here are six affordable and meaningful ways to show your love this Valentine’s Day.

1. Start a Meaningful Tradition

Instead of opting for the usual romantic dinner out, create a tradition you and your partner can look forward to each year. The key is finding something meaningful and cost-effective. Have a game night with your favorite board games, visit a museum together, or spend the day volunteering for a cause you both care about. Traditions you both look forward to create lasting memories without the price tag.

2. Give the Gift of Time

A thoughtful gesture often means more than any store bought present. Instead of chocolate or flowers, take something off your partner’s to-do list. Has your significant other been stressing over a task they keep putting off? Surprise them by getting it done. Whether it’s cleaning the house, tackling a home project they’ve been asking for, or taking over dinner duty, these small acts of love can make a big impact — and best of all, they don’t cost a thing.

3. Boost Your Savings Together

Rather than spending money on gifts that won’t last, consider putting that money into a savings account for something meaningful. Whether you’re dreaming of a vacation, a new home, or another major milestone, redirecting your Valentine’s Day spending into a shared savings goal can be a powerful way to invest in your future together. It’s a lasting way to celebrate love while staying financially smart.

4. Make Your Date a Gift

Turn your date into something memorable and useful. Sign up for a pottery class and make something your partner will actually use — a mug for their morning coffee, a dish for their jewelry, or a keepsake that holds sentimental value. Not only do you get to enjoy quality time together, but you’ll also leave with a personalized gift that lasts longer than roses or candy.

5. Redeem Your Credit Card Rewards

If you have unused credit card rewards, now is the perfect time to cash them in. Many people accumulate rewards but forget to use them. Whether it’s for dining, experiences, or gifts – using your points now ensures you’re getting the most value and not allowing those rewards to expire. Holding onto your rewards might seem like a good idea, but their value will remain the same while the cost of goods and services will continue to rise. Spending your rewards sooner rather than later ensures you maximize their benefit.

6. Skip It or Take a Rain Check

One of the easiest ways to save money? Agree to skip Valentine’s Day altogether. But before making that decision, talk with your partner to ensure you’re on the same page. If Valentine’s Day isn’t important to either of you, why not focus on celebrating your anniversary instead? Love should be celebrated every day, not just once a year.

If skipping isn’t an option, consider postponing the celebration. February 15^th — when Valentine’s Day chocolate and gifts go on sale, might be the perfect day to celebrate. Delaying the holiday just one day can save you money while still keeping the romance alive.

Celebrate Love Without Overspending

Valentine’s Day doesn’t have to come with a hefty price tag. With a little creativity and planning, you can make the day just as special without going over budget. Whether you start a new tradition, invest in your future, or simply spend quality time together – these budget-friendly ideas will help you celebrate love in a more meaningful way.

For more financial tips and money-saving strategies, call us at 732.312.1500 or visit a branch today. Don’t forget to subscribe to our First Scoop Blog for more insights to keep your finances on track year-round!

How to Get a Great Valentine’s Gift on a Limited Budget

Posted on February 13, 2020 by VP of Marketing and Business Development Jessica

Valentine’s Day is … tomorrow. If you are still trying to find a last minute unique gift idea for that special someone in your life and stay in line with the budget that you’re probably still paying off holiday bills from, keep reading! You can still give your Valentine a great day tomorrow without going broke.

The most important word you can remember about Valentine’s Day: Thoughtfulness. You truly don’t have to spend a ton of money on lavish gifts, experiences, or dinner at a fancy restaurant. Don’t underestimate the value of a nice home cooked meal, a homemade card, or an activity you both love doing together.

Go on an Outing this V-Day

Sometimes an experience creates more memories than a big gift or expensive flower delivery. Would you rather buy your true love a giant flower arrangement that more than likely won’t be around to see February 21^st, or recall a fun day out together that you can look back on for years to come? Planning an actual activity also shows creativity and effort. Need some lower cost ideas?

Go geocaching – this is completely FREE. What is geocaching? This is a real life outdoor treasure hunting game using the GPS device on your smartphone. You will need to find and register locally, and then you’ll be given GPS coordinates to navigate to and find a geocache container that’s hidden at the designated location. Find out more here.
Try an escape room – averages about $30 a person. This is a lower cost, fun and adventurous activity to try with your loved one. You’ll need to work together and communicate, and it’ll be an exciting experience you won’t soon forget. Hit the web and find out where the nearest escape room is to you.
Wine and paint class – another lower cost activity that is BYOB, and typically under $40 a person. You’ll get to paint together, drink wine, and take home some beautiful artwork! To save even more money, try looking for deals online for a class local to you on Groupon.
Go axe throwing – cost also averages about $30 a person. See if there’s a local venue near you for throwing axes and/or darts. These locations are also typically BYOB which will save you some more money as well.
Actually see a movie in the theater – when was the last time you went to the movies? These days it seems like most people tend to take advantage of Netflix and other streaming at home movie services. This also is probably one of the cheaper outing options on this list, around $20 per person. Check your local theater and purchase tickets online in advance.

Ways to Save on Flowers

Being that Valentine’s Day is tomorrow – it’s probably going to be tougher to order online now, have them delivered on the actual holiday, and not pay a fortune. If you are in this boat and didn’t preorder, instead of purchasing a whole bouquet – don’t underestimate the gesture of buying just one single long stemmed rose, or try a less expensive flower bouquet instead (think red/pink carnations).

Are you against the idea of buying flowers altogether and spending a great deal of money on something that may not last longer than a few days? How about sending your Valentine a photo of virtual flowers. You can send them anything, they’ll last, and won’t cost you a dime!

But, if you’re still set on buying flowers – look online for deals, or try ordering through a cash back site like Rakuten.

How to Save on Valentine’s Dinner

At this point, it’s probably going to be next to impossible to get a dinner reservation. However, most of the time a home cooked meal is more private, less expensive, and better than dining out.

Do you have an InstantPot? This wonderful kitchen device allows you to cook a gourmet-like meal quickly. If you don’t – hit your local Target or Walmart and pick one up (they range in price with an average of around $50, but you can probably get one on sale or look for store coupons too). All you have to do is find a recipe, purchase your ingredients, close the lid, and push a button. You’ll impress your love and probably have leftovers for the next day also! You can even make dessert in your InstantPot such as cheesecake, the day before. Or if you want to opt for something easier to make the day of that’s still seasonal – try your own chocolate covered strawberries and open a bottle of wine or champagne.

If You Still Insist on Buying a Gift

If you’ve thought about it and you are set on purchasing a thoughtful Valentine’s Day gift but don’t want to spend a fortune, opt for one that includes a photo of the two of you. This is still sentimental, a nice memory, and won’t cost a lot. Simply print out your favorite picture together at your local Walgreens (which you can do almost immediately), put it in a nice frame, and if you have extra time – have it engraved.

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Article Source: Rick Broida for cnet.com

Valentine’s Day On a Budget: How to Find Love & Laughs for Less

Posted on February 5, 2019 by VP of Marketing and Business Development Jessica

When it comes to the topic of Valentine’s Day, public opinion seems to be split. Some people love everything about it. Hearts, roses, candy, flowers, cupid — you name it, they’re here for it! On the other end of the spectrum, you’ll find “Valentine Scrooges” who consider February 14th a day like any other. They’re convinced the celebration and fanfare are nothing more than Hallmark-sponsored money grabs. To be fair, these positions are extreme.

If you’re like most people, you probably enjoy spending the romantic holiday with your special someone, but you prefer to celebrate without spending a ton of money. Good for you. There’s nothing more attractive than someone who plans a financially responsible Valentine’s date. So, if you’re looking to create an inexpensive, fun-loving Valentine’s experience you’ll remember for years to come, we have a few suggestions you might enjoy.

Dress up and dine in. At first, this suggestion may seem pretty crazy. Why would you go through the trouble of getting all dressed up if you’re not going out in public? Because there’s a strange, yet undeniable appeal to doing something that doesn’t make sense to anyone else, that’s why. So, go ahead—go big. Glam it up. Suit and tie. Gown and heels. The more overdressed, the better. Whether you cook for yourself or order your favorite takeout, the food choice isn’t nearly as important as the fact that you’re both ridiculously overdressed for the occasion. And that’s the point. Have fun with it!

Dress down and hit the town. Like the previous idea, this one involves an unexpected combination of date attire and meal selection—but with a completely different twist. Before the big date, you and your date head to the nearest thrift store (you can shop together or separately) and buy a complete outfit for the other person, spending no more than $10 in the process. The clothing selections can be as tacky and outrageous as you please—the tackier, the better. The only catch is that you both have to wear the outfits to dinner, no questions asked. If you play this one right, not only will you save money and enjoy your date, everyone around you will probably get a kick out of it as well.

Dollar store gift challenge. You and your date can play this one a couple of different ways. The first approach involves heading to the nearest dollar store and seeing who can find the single best/craziest/funniest/most ridiculous gift for the other person. The second option involves setting a spending limit and seeing who can rack up the most entertaining gift collection. (No need to go above $10. After all, it’s still a dollar store). For a little additional fun, take some selfies with your newfound treasures, and share your pics on social media using the hashtag #DollarStoreScore. After your adventure, head out and grab some dessert. Since you did your Valentine shopping at the dollar store, you’ll have plenty left to cover a sweet treat or two!

Whether you use the tips above or come up with a clever idea of your own, being smart about your Valentine’s spending goes a long way towards ensuring your day is filled fun-loving memories instead of expensive mistakes. And when you’re wondering what to do with all your savings, don’t forget to stop by your local credit union — we’re happy to help you find ways to make your money work for you. And let’s be honest, long-term financial stability is sweeter than a $10 box of chocolates could ever be!