Valentine’s Day is one of those special holidays that you let that special someone know how you feel about them. With this holiday becoming so commercialized, it can often seem as though expressing your love can be very expensive, especially when one is on a tight budget. Fortunately, expressing love to your Valentine does not mean you have to go broke. There are a number of easy ways you can express your love without looking cheap. Below are a number of tips to make your holiday special without breaking your budget.

1. Many couples will go out to dinner on Valentine’s Day. When on a tight budget, this can often end up being a very expensive dining experience with the price hampering the romantic mood. One suggestion is to check the newspaper and coupon books for special Valentine Day specials. You can often find a two for one deal on special Valentine Day’s meals. If you are unable to find an affordable restaurant, you can always stay at home and make a special homemade meal. You will save a substantial amount of money if you shop for ingredients that are on sale. As well, you can be creative and romantic by having a candlelight dinner with romantic music. If you want to make a night of it, you can rent a romantic movie to watch after dinner.

2. Create your own special home spa bath. You can light scented candles in a bathroom, play romantic music in the background, and relax in a warm bubble bath. There are a number of stores such as ‘Dollar Stores’ that sell inexpensive scented bubble bath, bath salts, massage oils, and scented soaps. A warm bubble bath for two while drinking a glass of wine is a romantic and inexpensive way to spend Valentine’s Day.

3. Flowers are a traditional Valentine’s Day gift. Many people think a bouquet of flowers are expensive. However, you can often buy cheaper flowers at a supermarket or if you have a flower garden, you can pick them yourself to make a creative bouquet. If you purchase flowers, you can create a beautiful blend of less expensive flowers.

4. Making homemade gifts can often mean more than a store bought gift. You can make a homemade mini scrapbook highlighting the special moments of your relationship. You can find inexpensive scrapbooks and accessories at discount stores or department stores. Special items to put in the scrapbook can include pictures, ticket stubs for a special concert, a menu or business card of the first restaurant where you ate, etc.

For people who love romance, Valentine’s Day is a very special time to express their love. During difficult economic times, it can be tough to come up with an inexpensive way to celebrate the holiday. If you find yourself tightening your budget because of the recent decline in the economy, you can still celebrate Valentine’s Day. With a little careful financial planning such as setting money aside a few months before the special day, and coming up with an inexpensive way to celebrate the occasion, you may find that you have the most romantic time ever.

Adriana Noton is a freelance writer who specializes in providing great financial information for Canadians. When searching online for debt counselling or credit counselling, one of the many resources available is Consolidated Credit; offering a variety of debt counselling services and financial planning tools to help Canadians get their debts under control.

With the 2010 New Year upon us, most people are thinking about their New Year’s resolutions. Because 2009 was such a difficult economic time, many people are now thinking about making changes to their budgets in order to lower their debt load in 2010. If you are planning on making 2010 a year of budgeting wisely to reduce your debt, below are a number of tips to help you achieve your New Year’s resolution.

1. Create a Manageable Budget: Creating a 2010 budget before the New Year will help you stick to your budget all year long. Your budget items should include such expenses as housing costs including mortgage payments and maintenance, food expenses, outstanding debts such as credit cards, social expenses, children expenses, transportation costs, and your savings. Create an easy to follow spreadsheet showing your take-home pay for the month. Divide your expenses into fixed expenses (expenses that do not change each month such as the mortgage payments) and fluctuating expenses (expenses that can change each month such as the utilities). This will show you how much you will be spending each month compared to the amount of money you are bringing in each month. It will help you control costs and enable you to live within your means. Once you implement your budget, it is essential to track your daily expenses in order to stay within your budget.

2. Reduce Expenses: To decrease your monthly spending, come up with creative ways to cut down on your expenses. This can include buying generic products instead of brand name products, shopping at consignment shops, surplus stores, and second hand clothing stores. When shopping, the key is to bargain hunt. You should always comparison shop online and in traditional stores, consider the quality of the product over the price as a quality item will often last much longer, buy only items that offer free shipping, and make use of coupons and discounts. Look for sample sales and add your name to a mailing list where you can purchase samples of products. As well, perform tasks that you may normally hire someone to do such as simple home renovations and repair.

3. Reduce Your Debt: When it comes to reducing your debt, you should first pay off the highest interest rate credit cards. Try to reduce the number of cards you have to 2 cards. Contact your credit card company to negotiate a lower interest rate. Contact a debt assistance company to see if they can consolidate your debts into one debt payment and one interest rate. As well, pay your bills on time to avoid expensive late fee penalties. You should also talk with your mortgage holder to see if you can renegotiate the terms of your mortgage so that you can get a better rate which will lower your monthly payments.

There are many ways to manage and reduce your debt. Because high debt can be very stressful, it is important that one implements a sound budget plan that can be easily controlled. By starting your financial planning early in 2010, you can put yourself on a path to financial stability.

Adriana Noton is a freelance writer who writes on a variety of financial topics including personal budgeting and debt consolidation. For more information about personal finance and debt counselling, ConsolidatedCredit.ca is a tremendous resource on the topic for Canadians.

categories: debt,finance,money,budget,personal finance,budgeting,mortgage

Do you find yourself this holiday season looking for some “save money ideas” due to the crushing low economy. Our children are already filled with uncontainable excitement, as the countdown time for Christmas clicks away. Thoughts of Santa, amazing toys, fabulous technology gadgets and sharing fun times fill their minds.

There are numerous people who love to give gifts because of the sure joy they receive from giving. They are filled with an overwhelming feeling of joy and contentment when they see the look of pure delight upon a loved one’s face as gifts are opened. Gift giving is made even more special, when you can give someone a fabulous gift and know you benefited from “save money ideas” in the process.

By doing a small amount of advance preparation and using some foresight you can take advantage of “save money ideas” this Christmas season. These money tips are provided as a way to help you manage your money effectively for the Christmas season.

1. Based on your budget put together a Christmas list. Take the time to reflect upon your Christmas giving list. Make sure you place an estimated amount by each name on your list, based upon your budget. The main thing is not to exceed your budget. Keeping to your budget is a crucial factor in your “save money ideas.”

When you are shopping, it is very likely that you will find a great gift for someone on your list but, unfortunately, it exceeds your budget limit. Don’t let this get you down. Simply remember that another fabulous gift will prevail. Leave yourself open to buying gifts that do not normally fit your traditional gift list. Often unique gifts become the recipient’s favorite gift.

2. Start doing your shopping now. Early sales and missing all the crowded malls are big advantages to shopping early. Consider shopping online: you will find some great “save money ideas” for your gift shopping without having to leave the house. This will save you valuable time, which you can then apply toward decorating your home; making some special holiday treats or just spending some memorable time with loved ones.

3. If possible try not to travel. Traveling can easily eat up a serious part of the budget. Staying at home is the best solution. However, if travel is necessary, then prepare some snacks ahead of time. This cuts back on food expenses for your trip. If you are traveling via automobile, then make it a point to drive slower to get better gas mileage. If flying is in your plans, then book early to get cheaper rates. This can be a huge savings factor in “save money ideas.”

4. Be sure to prepare a food budget. Grocery prices often rise. Each time we go to the grocery store we feel the impact. A great way to cut back is on food expenses. One of the best “save money ideas” is having a potluck holiday dinner. If you are hosting the holiday potluck dinner, then only serve one meat dish instead of two. With a potluck holiday dinner an abundance of food tends to be the norm and a second meat dish will make little difference. A great benefit of a potluck holiday dinner is guests often participate in the ageless tradition of sharing the recipe of the favorite dish they brought.

Do you have your Christmas shopping completed? If not, pick up some great gift ideas for the holidays at Top Christmas Gifts. For the kids on your shopping list get inspired with these 2009 hot Christmas toys.

We all want to be able to save for the future. Some get two jobs a day. Others try to find part time jobs for the weekend. Aside from getting double jobs, there are other ways to save and stretch that dollar. One of those ways is to collect and learn how to use coupons.

The Internet is not just a great source of information and extra income opportunities. It is also a great source of saving opportunities. Aside from magazines and newspapers, discount coupons abound in the Internet.

The Internet has three types of coupons. There are printable coupons, coupon codes or promotional codes, and the link only promotions. All you need to do is look into forums. You will find a great wealth of information there such as; where to get coupons, which ones work, which ones do not.

You can use the printable coupons almost everywhere. Just make sure to check and confirm with customer service if they do accept discount coupons. This is because there are several establishments that stopped honoring coupons because of big losses from fake coupons that were used in the past. By making the confirmation first, you avoid wasting you time shopping around thinking you will be able to save only to find out otherwise in the end.

When shopping online, the coupon codes and the link promotions can help you save a few dollars here and there. The coupon codes are entered into the code fields. Sometimes, you can enter it while in the online shopping cart. At times, you can enter the code just before you checkout.

Unlike the coupon codes, there will be no copying and pasting with link promotions. Once you see the link, click on it and you will be taken to the page or the website that offers the discount. For instance, if Site X has decided to promote certain products on Site Z, all you need to do is click on the link found on Site Z and you will be taken to Site X. Once on this site, you should already see the products you are interested in and with the discounted price as well.

Look for the coupons that will be useful to one another. The important thing about coupons is being vigilant. Remember that a coupon does not always mean you get to save. You may get a discount from a branded product; but it is still possible to find another brand that is still more affordable. So it is always best to look around before you make any purchase.

Used with in store promotions, you can even get better discounts. Here are a few tips to make things a lot easier. Keep your coupons in one place, but group them accordingly. For example, separate coupons for grocery items from coupons for appliances or clothes. This should make it easier for you to find the coupon you will need. You can also arrange them further according to expiration dates so that you make the most of your coupons. At the same time, you do not waste the time you spent looking for them and printing them.

Use those Travelocity promotional code this Christmas to save money traveling.

Well, the recession is technically over. It sure doesn’t feel like it, however. Employers are still not hiring and you may have been lucky enough to keep your job, but you wouldn’t mind saving money each month. Especially, on your monthly food budget. How can you do this? You’ll need help from the internet.

You can do it the traditional way and look into your pantry and refrigerator for what food you already have in your kitchen. Then, go to your cookbooks and see what you can make with what you already have in the kitchen. Write down the ingredients you need to buy and head to the grocery store with your shopping list. That’s a good method, but that’s how things were done in the’50s. Nowadays, you can utilize the internet to keep your family on a food budget.

With all the different recipe websites now on the internet that will help you find awesome recipes, you shouldl use them. Here’s how: Perform a google search on “recipes by ingredients” and google will return a list of recipe websites that you can select from.

Now that you’ve found a website to find recipes based on the ingredients you already have, it’s time to jump onto the site and give it a whirl. When on the recipe website, type in the ingredients or groceries you already have at home and search for what recipes you can make with those ingredients. It’s that easy!

I try to do this each Sunday for the entire week because I have the most time on Sundays to grocery shop. I grocery shop early in the morning because the grocery store is not crowded and it’s most efficient. I add in all the ingredients I already have at home and then select 5 recipes for the week. The website I use will allow me to print out a list of groceries that I need and I take this list to the store.

I usually spend around $50 for the both of us (my wife and I) for the week (Monday through Friday). We take our lunch every day to work (this is very important!!!). This means we spend around $200 per month and this saves us probably around $100 each month or $1,200 per year in savings. These sites are free, so give them a shot!

Try this awesome site if you are looking for a food budget or are on a strict grocery budget. Get a totally unique version of this article from our article submission service