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50 last-minute tips for a frugal Valentine's Day

Posted Feb 13 2008, 04:32 PM by Karen Datko
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Not ready for Valentine's Day and don't have a very large budget? Kyle at Rather Be Shopping offers "50 Valentine's ideas that won't break the bank."

Some of his tips are sweet and romantic: Flirt with her throughout the day, or leave love messages on her phone. Some are more pedestrian: Dusting, vacuuming and cleaning the toilets, which Kyle says is "the one job she hates more than anything else." (We have to wonder, Kyle, why these are normally her jobs.)

Our personal favorites are: "Wear your silk red boxers and dance for her," and "Give her a back massage certificate. You do the massage." We also recommend warming her towel in the dryer while she's taking a shower.

Be creative, he urges. Hold nothing back. Combine two or more of the first 49 tips. He writes, "For example, clean the toilet while you are giving her a foot massage. Oh wait, bad example, but you know what I mean."

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Comments

 

Thanks for talking about my list, hope some of these tips can help some guys out there really swoon their woman on Valentines Day!! As for why cleaning the toilet is normally her job......no comment!

Kyle (Posted 02.13.08 5:28 PM ) Report Abuse

What's the word I'm looking for here? Oh, yeah-- CHEAP. And she'll know you're being CHEAP. Speaking of "Smart SPending"... do you want to buy a reasonably priced gift now? Or... spend 3,4,5 times as much to restore your relationship to its pre-Valentine stability... the stability it had before you decided to show your thoughtfulness by being creative and CHEAP!

Johanna (Posted 02.11.09 5:33 PM ) Report Abuse

Valentine's day should be celebrated every day between lovers. This hyped up day, with no real roots, makes fools of the public.

Being a woman, married to a very thoughtful, caring man...there is nothing I expect him to do one day that he shouldn't entertain the thought of doing on all the other days of the year.

Everyone needs to get real here. One can think of other holidays that at least hold a religious significance to some, but seems everyone...whatever their beliefs are drawn into the materialistic, nonsense of those days also.

I guess without them, we might see people actually able to pay their mortgages and keep their houses.

If you truly love someone celebrate love...everyday.

Kay (Posted 02.12.09 12:54 PM ) Report Abuse

Johanna.. You should read the Boycott on Valentines Day article, you might change your mind on the meaningfulness of candy, flowers, jewelery on Valentines Day. I agree- its all fluff. Why one day to prove your love?

Stephanie (Posted 02.12.09 12:55 PM ) Report Abuse

Umm I don't know WHAT you're talking about cheap for.  I would take most of the things on that list over a necklace, flowers, etc.  I say most instead of all because I don't have kids, so those don't apply to me.  Bottom line, I would rather receive acts or kindness or participate in experiences than add to my jewelry collection.

Susan (Posted 02.12.09 1:03 PM ) Report Abuse

I think these are great ideas for Valentine's Day!  I would absolutely love it if my hubby would clean up the house or give me a massage.  This would mean so much more to me than something materialistic.  I like for my hubby to show me that he loves me, by expressing it in actions... not by buying me things.  But that's just me - everyone is different, so don't hold me to it. :)

Jess (Posted 02.12.09 1:04 PM ) Report Abuse

I think those ideas are sweet, and I'd love to have my husband do some of them for me. Its not being cheap, its being SMART and giving meaning to an overdone and wasteful "holiday". I mean, I'd hate to have my husband go spend money on a gift for me when it could be better spent on gas or bills.

Eve (Posted 02.12.09 1:07 PM ) Report Abuse

I guess Johanna doesn't know what it means to live on a budget and struggle to make ends meet. Some people would be relieved to have an inexpensive way to show their love so that they will also be able to keep food on the table and a roof over their heads. There are people out there losing their homes & some dummy wants to spend unnecessary money on a one day holiday. What is the word for that ... oh yeah ... Foolish!

Deborah (Posted 02.12.09 1:17 PM ) Report Abuse

I think acard and some candy will do just OK this year every year i buy my wife jewelry cant afford it this year .I fell bad my wife will be happy with that.

Sami Syed (Posted 02.12.09 1:33 PM ) Report Abuse

How wonderful!  The best things in life are NOT bought.  Cheap is not the word - how about sensitive and loving!  Time together and reminiscing is priceless - not cheap.  If your relationship depends on how much you can spend on each other - sorry it isn't going to work.  I speak from experience.  Married at 17 and 36 years later still madly in love!  By the way, body and foot massages beat all!

lori w (Posted 02.12.09 1:34 PM ) Report Abuse

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