Five tips on saving money for Valentine’s Day

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Valentine's Day is the pinnacle of romantic holidays — today's the day you get to show all the love you have for your significant other in the form of gifts or experiences. It's a bit materialistic yes, but everyone loves feeling special and being showered with presents! However, if your budget's a bit tight, it can be hard to show your partner you appreciate them. So, we've compiled a list of five tips you can use to ensure that you have an amazing Valentine's Day without spending that holiday money.

1. Make sure you buy flowers the right way

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Don't get cheated and buy your flowers online for delivery — even if they're ensured fresh and come with discounts, shipping trucks don't come with refrigerators. So if you order from a company with a warehouse far away from you, they might be wilted by the time your SO sees them.

Instead, get your flowers from grocery stores or the florist — both will keep their flowers cold until pick up time and some florists would even deliver in a chilled van. Be sure to ask for flowers that haven't quite open yet — that way they'll bloom in the hands of your SO and will keep for days.

2. Don't skimp where it doesn't count

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A definite no-no is buying flowers from the side of the road — even though they're the cheapest, they definitely won't last more than a day. These flowers also won't come with flower food nor replacements if they turn out to be spoiled.

Regarding dinner, don't order cheaper foods just because you need to save money — worrying about money every step of the date will definitely spoil your night.

3. Eat at home

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Come to think of it, spend your special night at home instead of a kitschy Valentine's Day restaurant. Even if it doesn't seem that special, eating at that dining table you never use or in front of the fireplace, or even in bed will give it that special feel.

Light some candles, throw around a handful of rose petals and put on some Frank Sinatra — your SO will definitely give you brownie points for your thoughtful DIY.

4. Order smart

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If you're bent on going out for dinner, you can totally pull that off too — one tip is to go for the cheapest champagne or Prosecco. No one can really tell the difference between expensive and cheap champagnes so there's really no use ordering the one that's going to break bank.

If the night is going to end in romance, be sure to order light. Not only will it stop bloating, but lighter dishes will also be less expensive — choose fish over steak, or sorbet over chocolate mousse.

5. Do your research with jewelry

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Look online for the jeweler with the best prices, but never buy online — it's much better to go in store to make sure that ring or necklace looks the way it's supposed to. Also be sure to check its certificates — this is to make sure the piece will last for a long time, not something you should obsess over.

Now that you're equipped with all these tips, enjoy your day of romance with your SO — and don't forget that this holiday is for love first and foremost. Even though you're encouraged to splurge a bit, losing sight of the spirit of Valentine's Day will definitely screw you over.

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Seven Side Hustles For Extra Cash

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Most of us aren't the best at saving money — splurging just feels so good and gives us that instant satisfaction we crave.

However, it's nothing to beat yourself up over — even though we put out articles to advise you on budgeting and finance, we know slip-ups happen.

And when they do, you're going to need some extra assistance to get yourself back on your feet. Rather than asking for money or — even worse — going to your parents, why not earn a little money on the side to boost yourself up?

Here are seven side hustles you can do this month to make ends meet:

1. Lock screen apps

Apps like Slidejoy or S'more will pay you to advertise on your phone — specifically, your lock screen. My experience with Slidejoy has been positive for the most part — I used to get an extra ten bucks a month just by having ads on my phone. Although the apps may be annoying at first, you'll eventually get used to it. Not customizing your phone won't seem so bad when you get some cash in your PayPal — no pain, no gain.

2. Do small tasks or jobs for people

Using websites like TaskRabbit or Fiverr will let you do errands or jobs for people that need it. Usually, pay is pretty low, but it can add up when you run several of these a day. There's no set price for TaskRabbit, but Fiverr usually ranges from five to ten dollars per task.

3. Online tutoring

Websites like Chegg or Tutor.com will offer an hourly rate for online tutors — if you have a certain degree or are well versed in a particular subject, go ahead and apply for a position. Online tutoring is super low committal, and you can pick and choose which jobs to take.

For Chegg, pay starts at around $20 an hour, but for other sites, you can set your own rate or choose a student based on theirs.

4. Paid language exchange

Tandem is a website that matches language tutors with students on your phone or tablet — students book their own appointments and pay you right on the app. Lessons are also prepaid, so no matter what, you'll get the money.

5. Freelance jobs

Websites like Upwork or writing sites like Skyword will hire freelancers to create content or work for other companies that require temporary workers. This method is a bit more in depth than others on this list but may be more rewarding if you stick it through.

6. Mobile games

Cash Show is an app that allows you to win money when you answer correct trivia questions — prizes are given three times a day and for a set amount, which is usually a couple thousand or so dollars. You have to answer 12 questions with ten seconds for each question. The cash prize is split among the winners of that round of trivia, so your winnings may start off slow at first. Other than that, it's a pretty fun way to earn some side money.

7. Instagram campaigns

We've all seen the rise of Instagram models and paid advertisements on the app — however, did you know you can participate too? With programs like Heartbeat, you can also become a brand ambassador and get paid to post pictures of various products.

When you sign up, they'll decide what your pay rate per post is along with what campaigns are available. You can sign up no matter how many followers you have, but your stats will affect how well you're paid.

If you do all of these ideas, you're bound to make some extra cash this month. I'd hurry up and do it fast — these side hustles might disappear if more and more people find out about them!

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Meet Ryan: The 7-Year-Old Making Millions on YouTube

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Ryan ToysReview—or simply Ryan—is a 7-year-old who reviews toys on his YouTube channel. In 2016, he made $11 million doing so, according to Forbes, making him number eight on Forbes' "2017 Highest-Paid YouTube Stars" list, tying with Smosh.
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Five financially sensible things to ask for Christmas this year

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So, I'm new to the "living on my own" game and let me tell you — it's been a pretty big struggle. I really never understood how much the little things cost until I moved out a couple years ago. That being said, I will take free things whenever I can get them.

Maybe you're already established and comfortable in your life — good for you! However, it's still useful to ask for things that you would otherwise have to buy for Christmas. Hey — I didn't want to be an adult either, but that's just the way things are.

Whether you're a young adult or a fully fledged old person, here are five major categories of presents you should definitely include on your wish list.

1. Kitchen supplies

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Not only are quality pots and pans super expensive, but the little things count too — cutlery, appliances and tools all add up. Putting big items like a food processor or a slow cooker on your wish list takes the hassle and anxiety out of buying one for yourself.

Not to mention, kitchen supplies will last you pretty long — unlike that bottle of brandy you and your cousins killed in one night.

2. Music or movie and TV subscriptions

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Music, movies and television are all consumed by subscription nowadays — I couldn't live without my Spotify, Netflix and HBO GO. Asking for a year's — or a couple years' if it's cheap — subscription to an online streaming service will save you a ton of money.

Let's face it — we can't keep mooching off of our family's accounts or creating new identities for free trials. So ask for a Netflix subscription instead of expensive headphones you can get super cheap knockoffs of.

3. Warm clothing

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Yet another unexpected expense in adult living — warm coats are expensive but absolutely needed for the northeast weather. Asking for a nice wool pea coat or a faux fur lined trencoat will ensure that you'll be toasty warm for years to come.

Heck, why not even socks? Being the butt of so many Christmas jokes, it's time that warm, fuzzy socks made its comeback. Both your feet and your bank account will thank you.

4. Gym Membership

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Ah yes, time for the dreaded New Year's resolution — instead of wasting your own money on a gym membership you'll only use two weeks into the year, why not ask for one instead? This way, maybe you'll even feel guilty for not going and continue your doomed resolution.

Memberships are also usually on sale this time of the year — praying on the weak, no doubt. But who knows? Maybe you'll actually stick it out this year.

5. Money towards an investment

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Do you have student loans creeping up behind you? Need to pay the rent to your swanky Brooklyn apartment soon? Why not ask for straight-up money for Christmas? Yes, it seems like a pretty shallow thing to do, but the holidays are for giving!

For my birthday, I asked my parents to pay that month's rent so I would be worry-free and spent my money on other things I had been putting off. It's not the most heartfelt present, but to me, paying off someone's debt is pretty huge.

Of course, this list is definitely for families that are well-off or at least lower middle class. If your family and friends can't afford these things, don't be distraught if they buy you a cheap present or none at all. It's important to keep in mind that the season is about coming together — while gifts are just an add-on.

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