Six clever ways to spend less money on Valentines Day

As a man, I acutely dread one day in the year – February the 14th.

This day horrifies me because I often spend a whole month’s income trying to make memsahib feel loved, cared for and very special.

Yes, I sincerely love her – but deep within, I feel: No, it is irrational for me to splash that entire salary – running into several thousands of shillings – in just a day. There’s still love after Valentine’s Day, and there was love before it; and there could be a break up after the money’s chopped.

Don’t get me wrong: I am an optimist. So, last Valentine’s Day I opted to do things differently in the name of “pulling a Romeo on my Juliet” while in the real sense I was monitoring the cash flow in my bank account.

Believe you me, I spent less than a fifth of what I was spending in the preceding years.

Like me, this year you don’t have to be a slave to the dollar sign if you’re willing to put in a bit of thoughtfulness, creativity and time.

Check out these six ways to celebrate your better half without going broke:

1. Skip the restaurant – prepare a home-cooked meal

Skip dining out altogether and opt to make a homemade meal instead — but one decidedly fancier, sweeter than an ordinary night’s dinner.

If you are not exactly a whiz in the kitchen, don’t fret just yet. There are plenty of apps and Youtube tutorials available to walk you through the cooking process.

SideChef, in particular, is an ideal resource for step-by-step instructions on how to prepare awe-inspiring meals like lemon-baked codfish.

You would save an amount close to half of what you were to spend – food, drinks and beverages often account for close to half of Valentine’s Day expenses; but you know what? The “food experience” doesn’t stick in the memory that much.

2. Make something by hand

Don’t have any talent with your hands? Do not believe it; you just haven’t found your field yet. In the meantime, you can bake a cake; just follow the instructions. If you knit, knit a scarf. If you write, write a poem.

If you work with wood, make a memory box. Find a nice wooden or metal box and put in items that remind you of experiences you’ve shared. This could be a menu from a restaurant, a leaf from that maple tree that you necked under, a coffee bean from your favorite hangout, a photo of some random craziness you indulged in, the first love letter you wrote to each other… you get the idea.

Give the gift of your time, represented in the object you present to him or her, and they will appreciate it far more than that box of chocolates snatched in passing from the counter at the local supermarket.

3. Plan a low-cost “experience” date to facilitate interaction

If you are in Nairobi, why don’t you visit the Nairobi National Park and just pay Ksh250 entrance fee per head – that means you and your flame will be charged only Ksh500 at the gate. Carry with you some yoghurt (Ksh200), chocolates (Ksh300), crisps (Ksh170) and any other feel-good eatable.

Let’s account for the above date: assuming you and your lover live at Donholm in Nairobi. Bus fare will be Ksh400, entrance charges Ksh500, the eatables (on the minimum) Ksh1000. Yes, that simple – you just need Ksh1900 to make that possible.

And oh, don’t forget a good camera – if your mobile gadget has anything more than 8mp quality resolution rear camera, you can take good photos of the caged animals, picturesque scenery and even you as a couple.

Doing is much better than saying – which is why you two need to get out and about to show your affection instead of exchanging it verbally.

Zina Kumok, author of the blog Debt Free After Three, agrees: “Experiences are always more valuable than things so instead of buying gifts for Valentine’s Day, we try to do things together.”

4. Individualize a gift

It’s easy and cheap these days to have a photo put on a mug, t-shirt, Christmas ornament, crystal, key chain, cameo, playing cards … Why not take your best picture as a couple and have it immortalised on one of these items?

It is way cheaper than a trip to the jewelry store.

An added benefit to such a gift is it allows the recipient to take it to work and subtly relate to workers that most important of Valentine’s Day messages: “I am loved.”

5. Do a chore

Many people think to offer a gift of labour on Valentine’s Day, but few really make the grade, because they are unspecific and open-ended.

A good gift must be specific and as immediate as possible. You offer to detail his or her car? Set the date: I am going to detail your car this Saturday. I am going to walk your dog every morning for the next two weeks, starting today. I am going to wash your windows on Saturday, May 7. This makes the gift real and commits you to follow through.

6. Visit the less privileged in society

This year’s Valentines’ Day falls on a Sunday – what a suitable day to give the suggestion: “Honey, why don’t we go to church and then after the sermon use this special day to give back to the society?”

She will probably tell you: “Wow, that’s thoughtful of you darling. How should we do it?” Take a minute to scratch your head. Then reply: “How about we pack the clothes we no longer wear, buy some fruits and food stuff and take them to the orphanage?”

You will see her glow – swept by your kind heart, thoughtfulness and humility. No lady wants to come out as callous, inhumane and selfish – she will sure support you. And hey, you’d have spent very little on that day!

This is by far the best solution to saving money on Valentine’s Day that I’ve heard in a long time. It is cute, clever, and seems to embrace the irony of such a simple outing on a day that otherwise can be taken over the top.