Valentine’s Day: By the Numbers

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Valentine’s Day is generally signified with a ♥ although perhaps a $ is more appropriate. Why? Because a day that is supposed to be used to show how much you care about your significant other has quickly become a day that is synonymous with spending money. A lot of money. Just how much money am I talking about?

Well, in 2012, the average guy was expected to spend almost $170 while women got away with spending about half as much. Some predict those same numbers could jump nearly 10 percent this Valentine’s Day. Is it just me, or does that seem like a lot of money to spend on what many people consider a “Hallmark holiday?”

Let’s take a look at what people spend most of their money on for Valentine’s Day. In my experience, any girl that says they don’t care about receiving flowers on Valentine’s Day is lying straight to your face. Take it from the guy who tested this theory one year. Girls want flowers, plain and simple. This was proven in 2012, when approximately $1 billion was spent on flowers. Another $1 billion went towards candy and clothing each! Don’t forget about the customary Valentine’s Day card, which consumers spent a combined $1.1 billion on.

Any guesses on how much was spent on a romantic night out? Let me give you a hint, it starts with $3.5 and ends with billion. If you think that $3.5 billion is a lot, you’ll be shocked on how much was spent on jewelry. Guys and girls who use February 14 to buy rings and other pieces of jewelry were expected to spend a combined $4.1 billion.

What I’m trying to get at here is that Valentine’s Day isn’t cheap for a lot of people. However, it could be. There are many ways people can show that they care about their significant other without breaking the bank. As my co-worker Shannon pointed out, possible alternatives include making a home-cooked meal or making a special gift, both of which can be done for cheap.

On a side note, can anyone explain to me the difference between Valentine’s Day and Sweetest Day? Anyone?

Does anyone out there have any special plans for Valentine’s Day? What other gift ideas for saving money do you have? Care to weigh in on the difference between Valentine’s Day and Sweetest Day? Let us know in the comments section below!