Valentine's Day on a Budget

Well, it's that time again. Roses are red, violets are blue, but cupid is broke, and so are you. You want to do something special for the someone special in your life, but money is tight. There's good news. You can go cheap. Who says romance has to cost you. Here are some great tips for keeping this V-day's activities within your budget. Below are some ideas to make Valentine's day special while staying within your budget.

Economy Cupid

Can you do V-day for $25 or less?

Guys: It's all in knowing how to stretch a dollar. Of course you won't be getting a Journey Necklace. That may get you down, but you don't have to be out. How does your valentine feel about fragrances? Wal-Mart sells some fragrances in a body mist form that costs about three times less than the perfume spray in a major department store. That'll set you back about seven dollars. Then drop three dollars on a personalized greeting card. Be sure to say something really romantic. Buy ten items from the dollar store, including candy, candles, books, hair accessories, etc. Spend the last five dollars on a gift bag and tissue paper. Of course this leaves no money to take her out. So you'll need to use your imagination to come up with something romantic for the two of you to do at home.

Girls: Fortunately for us, guys are not as sentimental as we are. In fact, it's quite possible that you could get away without even buying a gift. Take some of the pressure off of him by cooking dinner for him. No one is saying that you should go all out. A spaghetti dinner with garlic bread and an inexpensive bottle of wine should do it. You can pull this off for $25 or less and save money on lunch the next day by having leftovers.

Standard Cupid

$50 should do it.

Guys: Most, not all women, can appreciate the sentimental value of a well-thought gift. So, as always, a card is a brilliant start. Personalize it if it's not too much trouble. Now, for the gift. For about $20 you could get a personalized glass picture frame from Personalizationmall.com. You don't have to be John Legend to write something sweet and romantic. When the frame arrives, put a picture of the two of you in it. She'll think that you went to great lengths to pull this gift off. Score! And the best part about it is that you still have about $25 left for dinner. Of course you won't be going five star or five course, but you could still eat good in the neighborhood. Try Applebee's, Chili's, or TGIFriday's.

Girls: A sexy song from your CD collection, $0. Sexy, but inexpensive, lingerie, $22. A wig, $25. A pair of discount sunglasses, $3. The look on his face when you perform a striptease, priceless.

Luxury Cupid

$75 for a good time.

Guys: If you said buy a card, give yourself a gold star. That's right. Start off with a card, personalized if possible. That's your first three dollars. Spend about five dollars on a journal. Write something super sweet on the first page. Leave it where she can find it early Valentine's day, and write a clue in it about where she can find the next gift. Spend about five more dollars on a box of chocolates from a chain drug store. Place the card with the chocolates and leave a clue about where to find the next gift. While you're at the drug store, be sure to pick up a stuffed animal. That can be the next gift. Lastly, spend about $20 on a small piece of jewelry from a department store. You can usually find silver earrings, broaches, or watches on sale. You have about $30 left. Cook dinner for her. Keep it simple. Creamed potatoes, green beans, baked/broiled chicken breasts and an inexpensive bottle of wine. She will appreciate the thought you put into the scavenger hunt, the gifts that you gave her, and the effort you put into preparing the meal.

Girls: Keep it simple. Guys just aren't into all of the stuff that we're into. If he's into video games, put $50 into the latest video game craze or some game that he doesn't own yet. If he's not into video games, put $50 into some kind of man toy. You know, electronics. Maybe an MP3 player if he doesn't already have one, but who doesn't these days? Or a radar detector if he moves quickly on the highway. Use the other twenty-five for some toys the two of you can enjoy together. Go to Spencer's and get edible undies and freaky dice. Make sure he has a good time.

Valentine's day doesn't have to cost a fortune. Celebrate your relationship by putting love and thought into the gift, not by putting your life savings into. Don't be a stupid cupid. If the two of you have any kind of future together, before you put yourself in debt making a large purchase for Valentine's Day, the two of you should have a serious discussion about your financial goals. Until next time, keep it simple and happy V-day!