Show Your Wallet Some Love

CCCS of Greater Dallas shares affordable Valentine’s Day tips
By: CCCS of Greater Dallas
 
Feb. 8, 2011 - PRLog -- Valentine’s Day is less than a week away, and according to the National Retail Federation, the average consumer will spend more than $115 for Valentine’s Day this year – up more than 11 percent from last year. Coupled with the money spent during the holidays, many will carry extra expenses over the coming months – particularly if a credit card is the chosen method of payment.

“On Valentine’s Day, we all like to do things for our significant other to make them feel loved by us,” said Todd Mark, vice president of education for Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Greater Dallas (CCCS of Greater Dallas). “While buying a beautiful piece of jewelry or spending a fortune on dinner may make them feel special, creating a mound of debt in the process is not very loving.”

CCCS of Greater Dallas offers free webinars to help couples manage their money, including “Couples and Money” this Thursday at 9 p.m. Consumers can sign up at www.cccs.net/webinars. CCCS of Greater Dallas also shares great ideas to create an unforgettable Valentine’s date without breaking the bank:

Go to dinner and a movie. You can plan a movie night from the comfort of your home. Rent each of your favorite movies or a couple you’ve wanted to see, and plan a meal themed around the evening’s premiere. Don’t forget the popcorn and candy!

Hand-deliver flowers. Instead of ordering pricey flowers to be delivered at your girlfriend’s or wife’s work, show up in person with an arrangement from the grocery store or wholesale club. Add a special touch with a pretty bow and her favorite candy. You’ll spend about one fourth of the cost, and the personal delivery will be sure to win more brownie points than a bouquet from the florist.

Frame up his favorites. If your man has a treasured baseball card or an old family photo, have it framed so he can hang in a special place.

Make a mix “tape.”  Burn a CD of your favorite songs or those that are special to your relationship. Create a personalized cover with photographs of the two of you and place it in a plastic CD case for presentation. You can also load a special mix onto your significant other’s MP3 player so you can share it together in the car or at home.

Think like a girl and get crafty. Gather photographs and other items that remind you of special times with your sweetheart. Place them in a scrapbook or shadowbox frame for a unique gift she is sure to love.

Do lunch or even brunch. Lunch at a fancy restaurant is usually half the price of dinner and a lot less crowded. Since Valentine’s Day falls on a Monday this year, surprise your loved one by showing up at his/her work for a special lunch date.

Make a book of coupons. The coupons could include a massage, free pass for a girls or guys night out, cooking a favorite meal, or even promising a day of sports TV without any interruptions! Recognizing things that are important to your significant other will go a long way in showing how much you care.

Trade chores for the day. Surprise your loved one by completing all of his/her chores. Clean the house for your wife or take out the trash and pick up fresh dry cleaning for your hubby. Add a special touch by leaving roses at the home or chocolates in their car. No matter how small the chore, having someone else complete it will be sure to leave a smile on your loved one’s face.  

Plan a picnic. Arrange for a romantic picnic in the park. Instead of your typical day-time picnic, plan an evening picnic with lanterns and a cozy blanket along with your favorite foods.

For help in becoming debt free and making smart financial decisions in 2011, contact your local CCCS office for a free budget review and credit counseling session, as well as more information on financial education and free debt seminars, at (800) 249-2227 or visit www.cccs.net. Free webinars are available at www.cccs.net/webinars.

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About CCCS of Greater Dallas
Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Greater Dallas, Inc. is a nonprofit, community based credit counseling and debt management service. Established in 1974, CCCS of Greater Dallas and its affiliate offices provide financial education and counseling to consumers in-person, by phone, or Internet at 19 locations in four states. CCCS of Greater Dallas is a HUD-approved housing counseling multi-state organization and serves as one of seven counseling agencies supporting the 888-995-HOPE Hotline. The agency is also a member of the National Foundation for Credit Counseling (NFCC), the nation’s largest and longest serving national nonprofit credit counseling network. To learn more about CCCS of Greater Dallas’ free seminars or the agency’s services, visit www.cccs.net or become a fan of CCCS of Greater Dallas on Facebook to receive updates on agency events and offerings.
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Source:CCCS of Greater Dallas
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Tags:Valentine's Date, Valentine's Savings, Cccs Of Greater Dallas, Cheap Date, Cheap Gift, Valentine's Gifts, Free Webinars
Industry:Consumer, Financial, Education
Location:Dallas - Texas - United States
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