How To Save Money on Valentine’s Day

Do you find yourself wasting money for the sake of love?  You could opt to skip Valentine’s Day to pay for next semester’s tuition. However, you can still celebrate your love without breaking the bank. Saving money on Valentine’s Day doesn’t mean you’re frugal, it means you’re resourceful and responsible.  By following these tips, you and your partner can have a great time without forcing you to live on Ramen for the rest of the semester.

Dinner

When it comes to dinner, you can save a lot of money by cooking dinner at home instead of going out. However, if you must go out for dinner, Groupon is a great way to save some cash. However, be sure to read the fine print for any restrictions before buying the Groupon.

Gifts

Gifts are often expected on Valentine’s Day. However, it truly is the thought that counts. Instead of spending money on stuffed animals or flowers that only last a couple of days, you can save money with a thoughtful DIY craft that your partner will love. Crafts can be a very cost-effective way to show your partner that you care.  An origami flower will last much longer than real flowers. If you find that real flowers are essential, you’re likely to find a better deal at Costco or a grocery store than at a florist. Instead of buying chocolates, you can try to make some cute Valentine’s-themed treats yourself. For certain items, you might be able to take advantage of Black Friday sales. Black Friday may not be ideal for flowers or certain food items, but you might be able to find a deal on jewelry or perfume/cologne.

Activities Around the House

Going to the movie theater to see the latest blockbuster is often a fun date. The price for admission and concessions is not as fun. Instead of going out to see a movie, why not stay in and watch a movie? These days, there are countless streaming services. The odds are, you—or your partner—likely already has a membership to at least one of them. If not, for less than the cost of a movie ticket, you can get a month of most of the streaming services. This is especially true if you take advantage of the various student discounts. For instance, one discount available to students is Hulu, Spotify, and Showtime for only $5/month. It’s really a no-brainer. An advantage of staying home is the ability to spend time with your partner in clothes you wouldn’t dare wear outside of the house. If watching movies isn’t your thing, you could also turn Valentine’s Day into a personal Game Night—or invite some friends for Couples Game Night.

Activities Out and About

Maybe you feel guilty after having a high-calorie dinner with dessert. If you’d rather burn off those calories instead of hanging out in front of the television, you could go to the Sun Devil Fitness Complex for a fun couple’s workout. ASU’s Sun Devil Fitness Complex is already included in your tuition, so you might as well take advantage of it. If your partner doesn’t have an active ASU ID, there’s only a minimal guest fee. If you’d rather spend some time outdoors in the beautiful weather, you could always go on a nice couple’s hike. Additionally, there’s the option to have a romantic picnic on the mountain. If you time it right, you could even watch the sunset together.