Using your Credit Card for Valentine’s Day
Wednesday, February 13th, 2008It’s time for Valentine’s and that means that many of us are going to be spending a lot of money. Some people will be making big purchases like engagement rings and lavish weekend getaways. Others will be making smaller purchases that can still add up over the course of the day including flowers and expensive dinners. There’s nothing wrong with treating your sweetie on Valentine’s Day but it doesn’t make sense to go into too much debt over just one day.
Here are some things to keep in mind when using your credit card for Valentine’s purchases:
• If you can’t afford to pay off the debt in the next six months, it’s not worth the cost. This is especially true if you’re getting something for your spouse who might love the gift when it’s opened but be bickering with you about the debt months down the line.
• It’s okay to be a bargain shopper on Valentine’s Day. Many people think that they have to go above and beyond their normal spending to express their love. This is ridiculous. If your sweetie never wears designer labels, there’s no reason that you need to start them on the kick today. Get something that’s within your normal budget but that says you remembered the holiday.
• Multiple gifts are not necessary. You don’t have to surprise your sweetheart with a gift in the morning, send roses to her at work and then pay for an extravagant dinner and a night on the town. You can do just one of those things to celebrate. It’s still nice and you minimize your debt. If you feel like the whole day deserves some treats, go with free things like an e-card, a loving text message or a poem.
• Valentine’s is just for those you love. You are not obligated to get chocolates and flowers for every friend, co-worker, employee and boss that you have. Keep your shopping list down to just a few people who you truly care about so that you can keep the credit card bill down as well.
• Keep your receipts. If you get any sort of item that might not be used, keep the receipt so that you can return it and get your money back. Hopefully your lover is going to love your gift. But if not, it’s okay. At least you don’t have to rack up credit card debt on something that got thrown away.
It’s wonderful to spend some money on the people that you love. However, it makes no sense to go into debt over a holiday. After all, another holiday is going to be here before you know it. Spend wisely and remember that the holiday is about the sentiment, not about the money spent.
