More than 40 percent of consumers polled by American Consumer Credit Counseling said they would avoid Valentine’s Day celebrations if they could.
Boston, MA – March 18, 2016
According to a recent survey by American Consumer Credit Counseling, more than 50 percent of American consumers expect their significant others to spend $50 or less on Valentine’s Day, while 20 percent do not expect their loved one to spend any money on them.
Of the respondents, 55 percent said they would participate in Valentine’s Day celebrations and 55 percent admitted they would avoid the celebration if they could.
According to the survey, most consumers budgeted between $10 and $50 for Valentine’s Day. Less than 8 percent surveyed stated that they would spend more than $100. In addition, the vast majority of respondents (88 percent) said that they are budget conscious when planning their holiday spending. Of this group, 53 percent said they would consider do-it-yourself gifts.
“These days many couples, regardless of age, are opting for non-traditional Valentine’s Day date and gift options to avoid damaging their monthly budget,” said Steve Trumble, President and CEO of American Consumer Credit Counseling, which is based in Newton, MA. “It is easy for the average date night to run well over $200, which is why consumers can look into fun, cost-effective alternatives, such as a romantic home cooked meal.”
According to the survey, consumers celebrate this holiday by spending their money on Valentine’s Day cards (41 percent), chocolate or candy (27 percent), dinner (25 percent), gifts (17 percent) and flowers (11 percent).
They also stated the National Retail Federation projected the total of Valentine’s Day retail sales to reach a record breaking $19.7 billion, topping last year’s $19 billion and $18.6 billion in 2014. In 2016 men spent an average of $193.53, which is almost twice the average amount spent by women ($96.58). According to the poll, the average Valentine’s Day spending per person has been increasing steadily from $126.03 in 2012 to a $146.84 in 2016.
The online poll of 208 participants was conducted at consumercredit.com by American Consumer Credit Counseling – a non-profit that helps consumers with budgeting, financial education and debt management.
You can view an infographic illustrating the poll results here.
ACCC is a 501(c)3 organization that provides free credit counseling, bankruptcy counseling, and housing counseling to consumers nationwide in need of financial literacy education and money management. For more information, contact ACCC:
- For credit counseling, call 800-769-3571
- For bankruptcy counseling, call 866-826-6924
- For housing counseling, call 866-826-7180
- Or visit us online at ConsumerCredit.com
About American Consumer Credit Counseling
American Consumer Credit Counseling (ACCC) is a nonprofit credit counseling 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to empowering consumers to achieve financial management and debt relief through education, credit counseling, and debt management solutions. Each month, ACCC invites consumers to participate in a poll focused on personal finance issues. The results are conveyed in the form of infographics that act as tools to educate the community on everyday personal finance issues and problems. By learning more about financial management topics such as credit and debt management, consumers are empowered to make the best possible financial decisions to reach debt relief. As one of the nation’s leading providers of personal finance education and credit counseling services, ACCC’s certified credit advisors work with consumers to help determine the best possible debt solutions for them. ACCC holds an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau and is a member of the National Foundation for Credit Counseling® (NFCC®). To participate in this month’s poll, visit ConsumerCredit.com and for more financial management resources visit TalkingCentsBlog.com.
