Valentine’s Day. For so many it comes with that warm, romantic feeling, full of endorphins for the one you love. For others it can be a money racket, where prices are jacked up just because there is a red heart thrown into the mix. So how can you do something a little special for the one you love, without blowing the budget?

1

Make a Plan

Some people have high expectations for the day. Others would be happy with a card and a special moment just to show how much you care. The day can turn from romance into rage if one person has different expectations than the other. Talk to your partner about how you plan to celebrate this year. Perhaps in previous years you have gone out to celebrate, but this year you are both willing to save some money. Alternatively, maybe you have had a rough time of late and feel you both need and deserve a night out together. If so, make a plan and budget for it.

2

Heading Out

The plan is made, you are heading out for some quality time. Restaurants that offer an exclusive Valentine’s menu can be an extra few euros, so check out prices beforehand and ask about an early bird option. Alternatively, look into doing something a little different. Head out on a hike and enjoy a fresh, spring day. Perhaps there is a gig in a local bar or venue. Prices will be the same as other nights and you’ll enjoy a laugh together. Alternatively, do an activity you have been talking about trying out for ages, for example a game of golf or a cookery lesson. The plan is to enjoy each others company, you don’t need to spend a fortune in the process.

3

Staying In

Staying in has a lot of perks. You don’t need to pay for taxis and babysitters and there are some great meal deals at the moment. Dunnes Stores Simply Better range has a €15 deal which consists of two Irish Angus steaks, a vegetable side dish and two homemade chocolate mousse desserts. Very little work, with maximum effect. In SuperValu the meal offer is also €15. Choose from either beef brisket, lamb tagine, chicken madeira or beef stroganoff; two sides and one bottle of wine – Casillero Del Diablo Cabernet Sauvignon or Casillero Del Diablo Sauvignon Blanc. Again, €15 will get you a long way in Lidl as it offers one main dish, one side and one dessert, along with a bottle of prosecco and a gift box of homemade Áine chocolates. We’re talking duck breast with garlic and pepper, corn-fed chicken and striploin steaks.

4

Flowers Frenzy

When it comes to gifts, shop around. It is well known that many florists hike up the prices come Valentine’s Day, but it’s still worth ringing up your town florist to support local businesses. Maybe they haven’t bought into the commercial element of it in a bid to please their loyal customers. Perhaps they are trying to beat competition in the town. Arrange to collect the flowers yourself to cut down on delivery charges and consider opting for something besides roses, which are always priced as a premium.

Alternatively, check out your local supermarkets. Some have fantastic deals on flowers. CL

Price hike for Electric

Ireland customers

Electric Ireland customer can expect to see a hike in their bills this year. Starting on 1 February, prices increased by 4% for its 1.1m customers nationwide. How will this affect euros in your pocket? On average, bills will increase by approximately €35 each year. However, Electric Ireland isn’t the only one. Bord Gáis Energy, SSE Airtricity, Energia, Flogas, Pinergy and PrePayPower all increased prices in late 2017. The supplier has cited increased wholesale energy costs as the driving force behind the price change.

Bonkers.ie head of communications, Mark Whelan said: “So 2017 was a year to forget for Ireland’s energy customers. In the last three months of the year, six suppliers hiked prices and the PSO Levy increased by €25. Most consumers are only beginning to feel the impact of these increases now, as big winter bills roll in. Electric Ireland deserves credit for delaying its price increase until after winter, but all good things must come to an end and over a million customers will be paying more for their electricity. Customers who are unhappy with the prices they’re paying for gas or electricity should shop around and consider switching suppliers. There’s an average of €380 to be saved by doing so.”

Joanna Caffrey flowers, Avoca. €45