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Need to cut back on spending this month? Just want a new idea besides flowers and chocolate? Whatever the reason, we compiled 13 cheap Valentine’s day gifts that work for every budget. It’s the thought behind the gift that counts, not how much you spend on it. Check out some of the recent spending statistics associated with Valentine’s day and read on for some creative gift ideas.

Statistics from the National Retail Federation’s (NRF) 2017 Report

• 9% of Americans planned on celebrating in 2017
• The average amount each person was estimated to spend – $136.57
• Total estimated spending was $18.2 billion
• Top 3 locations to purchase gifts were department stores, discount stores, & online
• Top 3 purchases were candy, greeting cards, & an evening out

Statistics from Entrepreneur.com

• 19% of people bought gifts for their pets in 2016, averaging $681 million spent just on pets
• 34% of consumers plan to eat out on Valentine’s Day

13 gift ideas for your significant other that won’t break the bank

If your budget doesn’t allow for much discretionary spending this month, there’s still plenty of gift ideas that that cost little to no money. Don’t stretch your budget to purchase a gift if it means you can’t pay your primary bills or you won’t be able to pay of your credit card at the end of the month. To help you keep your monthly budget in line, here are a few ideas you can use this Valentine’s day.

1. Cook their favorite meal or try out a more labor-intensive recipe at home instead of eating out.

2. Bake their favorite dessert as a surprise. Make extra so that they can share with their friends and co-workers.

3. Write a poem to tell them how much they mean to you.

4. DIY a greeting card to show off your creative skills.

5. Give a coupon book full of thoughtful gifts, like a massage or doing a chore you know they hate.

6. Clean the entire house or apartment from top to bottom as a surprise.

7. Window shop for big ticket items like houses in your dream neighborhood or test-driving a dream car.

8. Create a playlist or burn a CD to share your favorite songs, or give them tunes for a specific

occasion.

9. Print photos of your favorite memories together and frame them or scrapbook them.

10. Dream up an epic scavenger hunt if they love puzzles.

11. Go on a hike or bike-ride together in nature. Pick a trail from PennLive’s list of best hikes within driving distance of Harrisburg, PA.

12. Rent a movie and crash early on the couch. Find a coupon code for RedBox, or pick a movie that’s already on your Netflix list.

13. Be a tourist in your own hometown. Check out Trip Advisor’s list of things to do in Harrisburg, PA.

Save Up for Holiday Spending in 2018

Valentine’s Day won’t be the only holiday you spend money on this year. Budget for holidays like Christmas now, and you’ll feel less stress come December. Start a regular savings transfer into AmeriChoice’s Holiday Club savings account! Learn more about this specialized savings account now.