According to the National Retail Federation's 2016 Valentine's Day consumer survey conducted by Prosper Insights and Analytics, 54.8 percent of consumers will celebrate Valentine's Day. If your family is running tight on a budget this year, how will you be able to take your date out and still make it a very special day? Sometimes the word "cheap" means that it won't necessarily be good. However, with these smart money moves you'll be sure to warm your partner's heart.
- Sunday Brunch vs. Saturday Dinner- Technically, Valentine's Day falls on a Sunday this year. This gives you even more reason to do a special brunch instead of an expensive Saturday night dinner. While Canoe is one of my favorite places for brunch in the city (I'll be there on Valentine's Day), there are so many hot and trendy spots in the city that you can try.
- Netflix Binging- I suppose you could binge watch almost any program that you have stored up in your DVR, but lounging around on a Saturday or Sunday this year with some take out food or breakfast in bed, followed by a show you haven't been able to watch at all could make a great low cost date. I've still never seen Breaking Bad, so that one is on my list.
- Ice Skating and Dessert- What's better in the winter time than going skating around a local rink? That is unless you really can't skate at all! Many of these outdoor eat, work, play type facilities have a skating rink right in the middle of them. Go skating for an hour and then saddle up to a local dessert place for a cappuccino and a cannoli.
- Make Your Own Fondue Night-When I go down for vacation in Rosemary Beach, there is a restaurant called La Crema that I always order the dessert fondue. If you pick up some pound cake, marshmallows, apples, graham crackers, and bananas, you can cut them up into small slices, then, melt some of your favorite chocolate over a sterno and enjoy!
- Hit A Museum- During the day on Sunday, there are many museums that have reasonable prices to check out for the day or are even FREE! You might even have enough money left in your wallet to go grab an afternoon snack.
Remember, in the end, Valentine's Day is really about spending time with the loved ones in your lives. Don't worry about breaking the budget, it is the thought that counts.
Written by:
Ted Jenkin
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Ted Jenkin is a frequent guest columnist for the Wall Street Journal and Headline News Weekend Express. He is the co-CEO of oXYGen Financial. You can follow him on LinkedIn @ www.linkedin.com/in/theceoadvisor or on Twitter @tedjenkin.
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