Valentine's Day: Romantic or Stressful?

HOUSTON, Feb. 11, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Depending on your present mood and relationship status, Valentine's Day is either an exciting and recognized celebration of love and romance, or an excessively expensive opportunity to be financially stressed.  Whether or not your view of February 14th is a little jaded, there's no denying this: Valentine's Day is a business; and business, as they say, is booming.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140211/DC63225)

Love birds (the willing and the not-so-willing) will spend well over $17 billion on Valentine's Day related purchases this year, according to the National Retail Federation (NRF). And while all things may be equal in love and war, your Valentine's Day bill won't be. Men will spend approximately twice as much as women ($108 to $49).

CreditDonkey, a credit card comparison website, recently commissioned a survey on Valentine's Day buying habits and found a growing disconnect between what men plan to give and what women actually want. In particular, the desire for old "standbys" such as flowers, boxes of chocolate, and dinner has tapered off, while less traditional and more expensive gifts like jewelry, electronics and gift certificates are gaining in popularity.

Some may argue that a frugal Valentine's Day takes away from the romance and the magic reserved for the holiday – after all, it's a special day. However, the smart money managers at Money Management International (MMI) understand the polarizing effects finances can have on romance, which is why they are encouraging couples on February 14 to consider the gift and attractiveness of financial stability. 

To help holiday sweethearts create the most romantic and affordable Valentine's Day experience, MMI developed Love and Money: Your Guide to Coupling Finance and Romance, a free downloadable eBook.

In addition to fun, flirty topics like affordable date ideas; gift ideas for the penniless, hopeless romantic; and printable gift certificates. Love and Money also focuses on the more serious issues of coupling finances. In the eBook, couples will find:

• ten quick tips for planning together;
• ten financial topics to consider before committing;
• how to protect loved ones from financial crisis; and
• how to survive financially when love goes wrong.

Love and Money: Your Guide to the Coupling of Finance and Romance is available for download free of charge at http://Love.MoneyManagement.org.

About Money Management International
Money Management International (MMI) is a nonprofit, full-service credit-counseling agency, providing confidential financial guidance, financial education, counseling and debt management assistance to consumers since 1958. MMI helps consumers trim their expenses, develop a spending plan and repay debts. Counseling is available by appointment in brand offices and 24/7 by telephone and Internet. Services are available in English or Spanish. To learn more, call 800.432.7310 or visit www.MoneyManagement.org.

Contact:
Tanisha Warner
Media Relations
713.394.3202
[email protected]

SOURCE Money Management International