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How To Celebrate Valentine’s Day Without Spending Too Much

Valentine’s Day is one of the most expensive “holidays” in Singapore.

But, it does not have to be!

You can always celebrate love without breaking the bank.

ELICITING GENUINE EXCITEMENT

One of the best ways to start a date is by handing over a sweet letter that will elicit genuine excitement. Crafting your own Valentine’s Day card costs practically nothing! Simply use the art materials that are available in your own home. Pouring your heart and soul into written words is more personal than signing your initials into a mass-produced holiday card.

Apply your personal skills to your homemade cards to boost its quality. Consider these scenarios:

a. An illustrator may draw the image of his or her significant other.
b. A digital enthusiast may animate a romantic message and send it via email.
c. If you like to bake, you may place the card on the top of a delicious box of cookies.
d. If you like to blog, you can create a beautiful post for your lover.

These things are more likely to be treasured than the items bought at the store.

FUELING THE ARTISTIC CLIMAX

Appreciating the arts is often perceived as something exclusive to affluent individuals. Purchasing concert tickets at Esplanade can be costly! Not to mention, purchasing art at galleries can cost thousands of dollars. Fortunately, locals and permanent residents have the option to hop around several museums for FREE!

Build up on the excitement by taking your beloved on a “not so typical” date at our very own Singapore Art Museum. This innovative museum houses a great collection of contemporary Southeast Asian art ranging from sculptures and paintings to installation art and moving media. They regularly collaborate with the leading international museums to cover both the local and international art practices.

Your date will be amazed with its current exhibition entitled: Singapore Biennale 2016: An Atlas of Mirrors.

LEAVING A LASTING IMPRESSION

Close your lovely day with a hearty dinner. Going to a restaurant on Valentine’s Day takes guts as you need to brave the waves of people and to make early reservations. Save money and avoid stress by preparing a romantic meal in the comfort of your own space.

Great recipes are available at Epicurious, AllRecipes.com, and RasaMalaysia.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

If your budget does not allow you to celebrate on February 14 itself then, consider choosing an alternative day. It will not only be cheaper, but it will also be less crowded. At the end of the day, what matters most is that you spent the gift of love with your partner.

Sources: 1 & 2

Savvy Couples’ Guide To Saving Money While Dining Out

Preparation Before Eating Out

First things first! Make it a habit to check the restaurant’s menu and price range before booking a reservation for two. Websites such as sg.openrice.com, yelp.com.sg, or hungrygowhere.com can help you to locate a restaurant, identify its menu, and give an estimate of the average spending. This will help you make tastier, healthier, and cheaper decisions.

You can employ a money-saving technique beyond your credible search. Simply have a light snack at home before you enjoy your exquisite main course. Or, you may do the opposite by eating the main course at your home and dining at the restaurant for luxurious desserts.

Relish The Moment Of Consumption

Relationships are all about giving and taking. Spread the spirit of reciprocity by sharing your meal to each other. Restaurants usually serve a portion that is bigger than expected. Instead of ordering for two, you may order one starter and one main course meal. Doing so will reduce the expenses.

To get most of their money, some couples indulge on all-you-can eat buffets. If you are not a fan of buffets, you may purchase less by savoring the taste of your food. Eating slowly will help you realize that you are actually satiated!

Consequences Of The Next Day

The romantic date night ended in a great note. You remembered to pack your leftovers from the restaurant. Fortunately, you do not have to cook breakfast because you can reheat the leftovers. You may also revamp the dishes by following the directions on this post.

Regularly dining out can put a strain on your budget. It is perfectly acceptable to spend on something you love, but you have to set boundaries and stick to them. Curate a “Date Fund” or a “Spending Plan” and adjust your budget accordingly. You will have to make significant sacrifices in order to follow your financial goals.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

Are you willing to enjoy three consecutive date nights and eat instant Ramen noodles for the rest of the week? Are you willing to restrict your food budget to S$100 per week?

That is the kind of discipline that you (as a couple) will have to maintain.

Sources: 1,2,& 3

Why Money Is A Major Factor In Dating

For a blossoming romance, a lover’s worth cannot be measured by his or her bank account, neighborhood, and car. The lack of these “financial signifiers” may serve as warning signs along the way but not as the destination itself.

However, the weight pressed on money when dating hardens as the relationship grows. Couples begin to examine whether they can trust each other’s financial decisions as well as whether they can make sacrifices for the common good. Nobody wants to end up with someone who has no motivation (slacker) and discipline (deadbeat)!

Particularly, money is a major factor in dating when…

1. BEING BROKE AFFECTS YOUR DATING HABITS

There is nothing wrong with spending a date at home with a bunch of DVDs and home-made meals every once in a while. But if low-cost dates are the only types of dates you can afford due to your outstanding debt and insufficient income then you may be in trouble.

According to Toni Coleman, a Psychotherapist and relationship coach, regularly suggesting to do cheap activities can be a serious red flag for your date. If you are essentially broke and your debt affects your romantic life, consider spending more time satisfying your credit score first instead of “pleasing” a potential partner.

2. THERE ARE DIFFERENCES IN YOUR MONEY BELIEFS

You see, all of us hold a set of beliefs about money (e.g., how it should be spend or how it should be earned). Whether we learned it from childhood or thru our experiences, we will carry these beliefs for a lifetime. If your lover sees no point in spending lavishly on dates and gifts when courting you and you desire that, then you can get into an argument. You cannot throw all your goals and values in the rubbish just because your current partner has different beliefs.

You have to do what is best for you and your finances.

3. YOU COMPLAIN ABOUT YOUR FINANCIAL ISSUES

It is never attractive to talk about how expensive things are and how these negatively impact your life. Your date does not want to hear you complain about what you can and cannot afford because it makes the person feel that he or she is an added financial burden.

If you have been a couple for over two years then it is okay to share your financial issues as relationships are built on trust and respect. But if you have not been dating for that long, think about the wrong message you are sending thru your constant money complaints.

4. YOU HAVE SUBSTANTIAL DEBT

Having a substantial debt with a bad credit score is a deal breaker for lots of people! FreeCreditScore.com polled 1,000 adults in 2013 and found that about 30% of women and 20% of men said that they would not marry a person with a low credit score. In contrast, a good credit score proved to strengthen the union of two people.

Image Credits: www.pixabay.com

Although money is not a major factor in the first stages of dating, few years down the road you will realize how important it is in a relationship. After all, money or the lack of it, is usually the predictor for most divorces.

Sources: 1, 2, 3, & 4

4 Absolute Ways To Spend Less and Save More This Valentine’s Day

Think your wallet can rest after the costly festivities of Christmas and Chinese New Year? Think again as we usher the season of love!

While Valentine’s Day is a great way to appreciation and affection to your significant other, I cannot deny the fact that the anticipated costs may cause a hole in your pockets. This year, however, you can turn things around if you are willing to put in creativity, time, and flexibility.

1. SAVE THE SPARKLES FOR LATER

If you are planning to purchase jewelry for your beloved, try to clamor dry out first. Since the demand for jewelry goes way down after 14th February, the retailers offer discounts to attract customers to buy their remaining products.

The only downside is that you have to discuss this with your partner in advance and seek his or her understanding.

2. AVOID THE CROWDS

Valentine’s Day 2016 is on a Sunday and more than ever, shopping malls and restaurants will be populated. Most places are jammed with couples and women holding on to their bouquets or stuffed animals. Beat this “competition” by scheduling a wonderful date on another day as long as your significant other is fine with it.

By doing so, you had avoided the crowd and maximized your savings.

3. OPT FOR AFFORDABLE FLOWERS

Since some people prefer getting blooms for Valentine’s Day, you would have to plan beforehand. Save money by skipping high-end or mainstream florists. Instead, visit your local grocery store or compare the prices of various online flower shops.

Image Credits: instagram.com/agoncilloanna

And if you are in the Gardens By The Bay area, I was got a bouquet of orchids there for only S$5.

4. CRAFT YOUR GIFTS BY HAND

What better message of love can you convey when you pour your heart on handmade gifts? Consider these gift ideas:

a. COOK TOGETHER

There is nothing sweeter than sharing your interests to your partner. If you are a fan of cooking and baking then, teach him or her the basic recipes and techniques. But, if neither of you have an expertise, lookup free online tutorials and prepare a V-Day dinner together.

b. SPECIAL CARD

Bring your wonderful memories to life by turning photos into very personal V-Day card. Print his or her favorite Instagram photos in JPEG format using glossy or matte photo papers available for as low as S$2 at Popular bookstores.

Image Credits: pixabay.com (CC0 Public Domain)

Sources: 1 & 2

Financial Tips For People Dating In Retirement

Dating later in life can be a challenge not only because of your limited income resource but also because of the ever-so-changing dating landscape. In the era of Tinder and online dating sites, dating is entirely different from your first time. However, I believe that if your health permits (i.e.,you have no chronic illnesses or serious health concerns), it is never too late to fall in love again!

Despite its challenges, persevere with these 4 Financial Tips For People Dating In Retirement:

1. REKINDLE THE OLD FLAMES

Use modern technology to your advantage by embracing the power of social networking. Free sites such as Facebook and Twitter, allow you to look up your old friends whom you lost touch with. Do not be afraid to reconnect with your previous secondary school, university, and workmates by instant messaging or even e-mailing them. This way, you are expanding your social circle and increasing your chances of finding a date.

2. CONSIDER ONLINE DATING

If rekindling did not work for you, another inexpensive yet tricky strategy is to consider online dating. For many dating sites, you need not spend a cent as they offer free memberships. But you must proceed with caution as there may be scammers and imposters.

The leading online dating sites in Singapore include SingaporeCupid.com and
SingaporeLoveLinks.com. SingaporeCupid.com offers their services to more than 14,000 members. It has a rather retro design that may seem messy at first but you will soon get a hang of it. With its practical options, you can search for matches based on ages, locations, and other keywords. Members can either be free or deluxe. Deluxe members pay about S$16.95 for 1-month membership.

While SingaporeLoveLinks.com is operated by one of the largest niche dating networks in the world – Cupid Media. What is special about this site is that they bring together the singles of different nationalities. Also, they offer useful functions such as video exchange and instant messaging to its paid members. Members can either be gold or platinum. Gold members pay about S$29.98 for 1-month membership and platinum members pay about S$39.99 for the same time.

3. KNOW EACH OTHER’S MONETARY VALUES

Once you meet someone new, it is important to understand and know each other’s values about money. No need to talk about the specific numbers at first but you need to get an idea of how your date likes to save and spend.

Learn to put yourself in your date’s situation (i.e., spender or saver) by recognizing his or her financial strengths. For example, if your date is a saver then, he or she may view money as an important currency that shall not be wasted.

4. SET CLEAR EXPECTATIONS

After several dates, solidify your bond by maintaining good communication with your date. You must set clear expectations about who pays for what as this notion changes over time.

Time has led to both genders being relatively equals. In fact, a poll by Cosmopolitan showed that less than 25% of women believe that their partners should always pay for the bill and about 40% of women think that couples shall always split the bill.

Image Credits: pixabay.com (License: CC0 Public Domain)

Gone are the days when men pay for all the bills!

Sources: 1, 2, & 3

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