Valentine’s Day sure can be an expensive little holiday. Officials with Huntington Bank in Ohio estimate that many would-be Romeos will spend anywhere from £90 to £200 on this single celebration this year.

Bearing in mind that money worries can be efficient and ruthless relationship killers, perhaps the worst Valentine’s Day gift you could give is anything that leaves you grappling with debt and debt-related stress. That said, you don’t have to appear cheap or forgo fun and romance altogether, either.

1. Get creative when it comes to dinner. You really don’t have to spend £85 to £250 on a romantic dinner at a restaurant. Why not have a nice candlelit dinner at home? You could even get all dressed up for it. If you know you’re going to be too tired to cook after work on Valentine’s Day, which falls on a Thursday this year, order a special meal ahead of time and pick it up on your way home.

2. Enjoy a little ambiance. If you both really want to go out on the town together, you could have coffee or a drink and dessert at an expensive café, restaurant or romantic bistro. This is a way to savor the atmosphere — and your date — without emptying your wallet.

3. Spend Time. OK, do NOT follow this tip if your job or your partner’s job is hanging in the balance. But if you’ve racked up some vacation time, or if your employer allows you to take personal days from time to time, why not see if you can take the day off together on Thursday? Depending on where you live, the two of you could stroll through a park, walk on a beach, take a rowboat or paddleboat out on a lake, or catch a matinee movie. You also could drive to a small town near your home or through towns you’ve never visited before and search for small, out-of-the-way places to eat or find public parks and open spaces for walks.

4. See some live music. Check to see whether a university or college in your area is offering any potentially enjoyable concerts on Feb. 14. Performances by the college music department would likely be free or cost a fraction of the price charged by professional orchestras and opera houses.

5. Seek out some silence. Here’s a potential date idea if you’ve both been stressed out lately: You could wander through libraries and bookstores with coffee shops that encourage browsing. Rediscover passages you love from your favorite books, and enjoy the quiet. (Cautionary note: Be careful not to go nuts buying £15 paperbacks! That could defeat the whole purpose of this tip!)

6. Have low-cost fun with food on Feb. 14. You can pull out the cookie cutters and make heart-shaped cookies and even cut your lunch sandwiches into hearts. You also can make heart-shaped cupcakes by placing a marble inside each muffin tin on the outside of the paper cupcake cup.

7. Give thoughtful gifts. Most people stick to the same general gift themes on Valentine’s Day: flowers, chocolates, cards, maybe a piece of jewellery. Can you think of something different that might mean a whole lot more — and maybe even cost a whole lot less? Hpw about making your own gifts. Such gifts could include cakes, cookies or gift certificates for your services. The gift certificate idea might be just the ticket for you if you’re short on cash but high on love this Valentine’s Day. You could offer to run errands for your loved one, make a nice dinner, clean the house, repair the car or give a massage.

Author:  Anthony Badaloo dipPFS   ACPA  of Church Hill Finance www.church-hill.net  who are authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority www.fsa.gov.uk  ,  in association with  www.Colourfulradio.com  on Sky Digital 0194.    Presented by Amina Taylor & Produced by Vic  Motune