Ways to Save Money on Valentine’s Day

If you’re planning on a simple Valentine’s Day with an easy box of assorted chocolates or nice flower bouquet then think again. On average, U.S. citizens spend over $130 on items related to Valentine’s Day. This averages to over $18 billion dollars total. In order to shower your loved one with the gifts he or she deserves while also saving money this year, here are five tips to have a great Valentines Day without breaking the bank.

Getting a Great Deal on Flowers

In order to save money on Valentine’s Day roses for your loved one, it is recommended that you stick with warehouse stores and local florists. This is due to the fact that these locations usually offer the best deals, as on average you can get your hands on a bouquet for $50, whereas an online store will cost your closer to $60. Heading to a local store will also allow you to negotiate for a lower price. On top of this, if there is any sort of problem with the flowers, such as if they arrive late or are damaged, it’s much easier to go to the location in order to fix the problem and receive a refund rather than dealing with a customer representative.

Save Money on Restaurants

In order to save money on a meal for two, it’s a good idea to take advantage of Restaurant Week. This is occurring in cities throughout the United States, and gives you a low price on three-course meals. In order to take advantage of Restaurant Week look up a list of the restaurants in your area to see if they are participating, as well as when your cities’ Restaurant Week is occurring. Many are scheduled around Valentine’s Day so you may get a great deal on a romantic dinner this way.

Obtain Gift Cards for a Discount

If you want to give your friends or loved ones a gift card for Valentine’s Day then you can find great deals on such sites as PlasticJungle.com and CardPool.com. These websites allow you to purchase gift cards to major restaurants, theaters and restaurants at as high as a 20% discount. If you want to give your significant other a more substantial gift then you could use one of these cards to save money on an expensive gift, such as a necklace or bracelet at Williams-Sonoma or Tiffany & Co.

Get Free Shipping

Valentine’s Day is fast approaching and so if you want to purchase a gift online and have it delivered on time, it’s important to get started on those purchases. The downside of online shopping is that the price of shipping can add up to substantial amounts. However, in order to get free shipping this Valentine’s Day, signing up with a site like ShopRunner, which allows you to obtain free shipping from a number of stores including Calvin Klein and Blue Nile, can save you a good deal of money on your Valentine’s Day gifts this year.

Use Credit Card Reward Programs to Save

Many credit card companies offer their customers rewards programs, and so you could use this to your advantage. For example, some credit card companies offer cash back on purchases made at theaters and restaurants. Obtaining one of these could not only save you money on Valentine’s Day, but other outings that you go on throughout the year. Otherwise, simply calling your own credit company in order to inquire about any special rewards or promotions that they have may work in your favor on Valentine’s Day to keep some money in your pocket.

Finances - 25 Jan, 2014 - No Comments