If debt management is your priority this year try a valentine’s dinner at home!

Planning a Budget-Friendly Valentine’s Day

To ensure your Valentine’s Day dinner is both impressive and budget friendly, we suggest a delightful menu that won’t break the bank. This includes a starter of Bruschetta, an entrée of Pan-Roasted Italian Chicken Breasts, a side of Roasted Brussels Sprouts, and a delectable Chocolate Cherry Sundae for dessert. By preparing and slicing ingredients beforehand, you can effortlessly manage your cooking time and ensure each dish is served to perfection.

Appetizer: Bruschetta

• Ingredients: Crusty bread, garlic cloves, grape or cherry tomatoes, fresh basil, white balsamic vinegar, extra virgin olive oil, salt, and pepper.
• Preparation: Toast the sliced bread in the oven, mix the tomatoes with basil and seasonings, and top the toasted bread with the tomato mixture.

Entrée: Pan-Roasted Italian Chicken Breasts

• Ingredients: Chicken breasts, Italian dressing, white mushrooms, onion, dry white wine or unsalted chicken broth, olive oil, salt, and pepper.
• Preparation: Marinate the chicken, sear in olive oil, and finish cooking covered. Sauté onions and mushrooms, deglaze with wine, and serve the mixture over the cooked chicken.

Side Dish: Roasted Brussels Sprouts

• Ingredients: Brussels sprouts, lemon, olive oil, salt, and pepper.
• Preparation: Toss the sprouts with seasonings and lemon zest, roast in the oven, and finish with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice.

Dessert: Chocolate Cherry Sundae

• Ingredients: Cherries, light brown sugar, coconut oil or butter, lemon, cinnamon, vanilla extract, salt, chocolate ice cream, and whipped cream.
• Preparation: Cook cherries with sugar and seasonings until syrupy, then serve over ice cream with whipped cream and optional toppings.

Savor the Savings with a Personalized Valentine’s Dinner

By opting for a homemade Valentine’s Day dinner, you not only create a more personal and intimate experience but also enjoy significant savings. The total cost for this lavish dinner for two is estimated at $40-45. It is a fraction of what you would spend at a high-end restaurant. This thoughtful gesture adds to the romance of the special day and keeps credit card debt at bay.

If managing debts and expenses is challenging, remember that help is available. Consider scheduling a free credit counseling session to get your finances on track. We hope you enjoy your Valentine’s Day without the burden of financial stress.

If you’re paying off debt, try a budget friendly Valentine’s Day!

Do Dinner at Home

We know, you’ve been hearing this advice for almost a year now. Unfortunately, it most places, it is still not safe to go out to crowded restaurants or other venues. The bright side of this is that you can save money on Valentine’s Day this year! Rather than going to an expensive restaurant, try to replicate your favorite restaurant meal at home. Cooking at home costs a fraction of the price of a restaurant meal, and besides, cooking with your Valentine’s Day date can be a fun activity too!

Have a Rom-Com Movie Night at Home

Again, going to movie theaters is not entirely safe right now, so it’s better to have a movie night at home. Dig out your favorite old school rom-com DVDs, pop some popcorn, and have a fun rom-com throwback night! There are also tons of options for romance movies on Netflix and Hulu. Think about the money you’ll save! The average cost of a movie ticket is $9.11, plus if you factor in the cost of the movie theater snacks and drinks, you’re probably saving around $30-$40 by staying home. If you’re in a debt management program, any savings can help you repay debt faster.

Limit Spending on Gifts

According to CNBC, last year Americans spent an average of $142 on Valentine’s Day gifts for their partners. For many consumers, that just isn’t feasible this year. Having a budget friendly Valentine’s Day doesn’t mean you can’t get your loved one a gift, but you don’t want to overspend. If your income isn’t as stable as it was before COVID, you may not be in a financial position to be purchasing pricey Valentine’s Day gifts for your significant other. You may want to talk to them ahead of time and agree on a spending limit, such as $20 for gifts this year. Skip the expensive jewelry or watch this year, and instead opt for the traditional chocolates and heart-shaped candies.

Take a Romantic Stroll

If the weather in your area isn’t bad, another great budget friendly Valentine’s Day activity (that’s also COVID safe!) is taking a romantic stroll. Is there a particularly picturesque area in your city? It might be fun to walk around there and take some photos together, especially if you have a Polaroid camera or are a photography aficionado. You could even use the pictures you take to put in a scrapbook or photo album for a budget-friendly birthday or anniversary gift later!

Final Thoughts on COVID & Budget Friendly Valentine’s Day Ideas

As much as we wish things were back to normal, the priority right now is still staying safe and social distancing. The second priority is sticking to your budget, especially for those who are still unemployed or have unstable income. Valentine’s Day can be a fun holiday without spending hundreds of dollars and racking up credit card debt. Keep in mind, the holiday shouldn’t be about excessive consumerism and breaking the bank. It should be about spending quality time with your partner, and that doesn’t cost a penny!

If you struggle to pay off debt, ACCC can help. Schedule a free credit counseling session today!