Valentine’s Day and Finances

A Time to Give… NOT!

So for my regular readers you already know my view of Valentine’s Day as a ridiculously over-hyped excuse to blow countless hundreds of dollars (however it does keep the Rose industry going), but let’s leave my loathing of all things associated with this marketing juggernaut out of the discussion. I still think the whole thing is a sucker bet, and I’d like to point out for those of us who are married, it’s the ABC’s of love and marriage(anniversary, birthdays and Christmas), no mention of V’s, unless you count Vasectomy in there (and that is another story for another day). You aren’t going to win this game, so maybe don’t play.

With this in mind let’s discuss some ways to show someone you love, your undying devotion to them, and discuss the financial ramifications of showing this love.

Roses

Surprisingly these have come down in price, and if you check RedFlagDeals there are a few deals to be had in this area. The nice part about Roses, is that they die and shrivel after about 10 days, unless your loved one is good at drying flowers. Nothing says love like a dead bunch of flowers, and $100 on your Visa card in March.

Chocolates

Unless you are buying them a Crunchie bar, this is going to cost you and then later your loved one will thank you for the sugar crash that happened after they gorged themselves on your gift. If your loved one is diabetic, this is a really bad idea (really bad). This gift could disappear in less than a day, but the after effects could live on for a while (unless your loved one hits the gym). If you give chocolates do you then have to pay for the Gym membership?

Dinner Out

You must be joking, do you have a reservation? If not, you might get into McDonalds but that is about it. Valentine’s Day dinner out you need to book about 6 months in advance, luckily you didn’t and are now saving a few hundred bucks on this one too. Go out on the Friday or Saturday afterwards, might be a little easier to find a place to eat?

A Diamond or Jewelery

Nothing says love more than 6 months gross income? (remember that is what De Beers says you should spend, if you really love someone) Nice to think you have 6 mortgage payments hanging from your loved ones ears, or around their neck.

If you do this, please send me 10% of the money, because you can afford it, and I could really use the money.

Lingerie

Yup, most men want to buy their wife or girlfriend lingerie, and it used to be this was taboo (you saw a guy in a lingerie store, you assumed he was a cross dresser), but now men are free to spend $50 on a thong that has less material than a roll of dental floss. You better be sure you know your “wife’s size” or this gift is going to backfire on you.

Ladies, if you think your man is going to get you this gift, get him a man thong, and point out you’ll wear yours, when he wears his.

Money well spent? You could just go buy some jockeys for everyone and all have a more comfortable Valentine’s Day.

Weekend at a Bed and Breakfast

I keep running across this on various Top 10 lists of what women want for Valentine’s day, and I have to ask why a B&B? Why not a luxury hotel with room service? The Bed and Breakfast places I have seen lack a certain privacy that I’d want for a romantic weekend, and they seem to charge more for a smaller room, without it’s own bathroom? What am I missing here?

A Sex Toy

This goes in the same category as Lingerie as a newer genre of Valentine’s Day Presents. If you saw someone in a “Sex Shop”, your first thought used to be “Dirty Old Man” (it might still be the case), but evidently this is no longer taboo as well. Some of these toys have become quite elaborate, and quite expensive (and use a lot of batteries I hear as well).

Nothing says I love you, more than a sex toy. Enough said here.

Final Words

Yes, another rant by me about overspending (I enjoy holidays, it makes writing these posts a lot simpler).  Am I saying you shouldn’t buy anything for Valentine’s Day for your loved one? Yes, I am. If you are in debt or are carrying balances on  your credit card, use the money to pay down (or off) your credit card, put the paid off bill in a card and show your loved one you are financially responsible, that is a better sign of love anyhow.

Remember love does not have a monetary value. Cook your loved one a meal, do the dishes and clean the house up, that may be the gift they really want.