How to plan and budget for Valentine’s Day
Johannesburg - Valentine's Day is a special day to celebrate, show love and appreciation to our significant others, family, and friends. It's okay to spoil your loved ones if you have planned and budgeted for it.
Dhashni Naidoo, FNB Consumer Education Programme Manager says, "Wanting to spoil our loved ones is natural and there is nothing wrong with doing that. But we should not spend money that we did not budget for or use credit to buy gifts. We can still enjoy this special day by keeping it simple and look for creative ways to spoil our loved ones."
Naidoo shares five practical tips on how to plan and budget for Valentine's Day:
Plan ahead of time - Valentine's Day comes every year, one of the great things you could do is to plan and save for it ahead of time. This may also help you purchase your gifts with a clear conscience knowing you aren't overextending yourself financially.
Use your rewards programmes - Different retailers are helping customers to make their money go further by offering reward incentives. Use your rewards to purchase gifts or vouchers, rather than using credit for presents.
Search for specials - Different retailers are offering discounts for their in-demand products and services. Compare prices before purchasing a gift. In doing so, you will know that you are getting the best deal.
Consider eating in - Instead of going to a restaurant, why not spoil your partner or family with a home cooked meal, try new recipes or get the family involved by doing a cook-off.
Be creative with gifts - Try to make something or find a less expensive activity that you can do with your loved ones, like a picnic. Don't buy a present that you cannot afford because you want to impress.
"To stay financially smart, consumers should pay attention to where their money is going. If you are one of the people that celebrate Valentine's Day, it is highly recommended that you budget for this special day so that you can enjoy it without any financial stress and remember it is the thought that counts," concludes Naidoo.
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