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Savings Day – Plan Ahead For Valentine’s Day

Valentine’s Day is almost here! 

With inflation hitting all of our pockets, better think ahead now. You’ve got two weeks to save and put your plan into action. When our boys were young, my wife wanted them to know that God loved them even more than we did. So, for Valentine’s Day she would give them things that emphasized the Word of God along with homemade heart cookies. We know that Valentine’s Day can be expensive! Last year Americans spent nearly $22 billion. Most of the money went to jewelry and dining out. Flowers, candy, and cards were also popular. As people who desire to steward well, yet show our love, we can find budget-friendly, creative alternatives to honor those we hold dear.

The bottom line is to be thoughtful in the gifts you chose, not overly-indulgent or beyond your income level. Maybe the most loving thing you can do this year is to stay on budget! You can do that with a little planning and prayer. Above all, don’t feel pressured by others to spend a lot in the name of a Hallmark holiday. Stay on track with your financial goals! Do you want to buy a gift? How much cash do you have? How much do you need? Please avoid going into debt and the pressure to buy what advertisers are promoting. Talk with your spouse and decide together how you want to spend the day. How about cooking a special meal or spending time in prayer for your marriage? Ask the Lord to be the head of your home and your ultimate source for wisdom and love.

Now if a Valentine’s gift is out of the question because of credit card debt, I recommend you contact Christian Credit Counselors. They’ll create a debt management plan specifically for you. For more information call the Crown Helpline at 800-722-1976 or visit us online at crown.org/ccc.