The moment gift box vendors start flooding your timeline with red ribbons, teddy bears, and “last-last discount,” just know Valentine’s Day is knocking aggressively.
We can argue later about why an ancient saint’s death is now responsible for emptying our bank accounts. For now, let’s focus on the real issue: how to avoid being labeled a stingy lover without ruining your finances as someone surviving Tinubu’s Nigeria.
Here’s how to celebrate Valentine’s Day without going broke.
Start before panic buying starts
Prices are currently doing press-ups, and Valentine’s Day makes them sprint. Since you’re a salary earner, you plan ahead, and Valentine’s Day is not an exception to this rule. If you’re waiting until February 10th, you’re already late, and that’s how people end up paying for things that aren’t worth it.
Check your bank account
Yes, love wants to “do the most,” but your salary has an assignment: survive till next payday. Before clicking order now, calculate what you can spend without entering survival mode, no borrowing food, no walking to work like it’s a fitness challenge. After that, add a little buffer for unexpected expenses.
Budget like a responsible lover
If you don’t already track your spending, now is a good time to start pretending you do.
Set a Valentine’s budget and compare it with your usual monthly expenses. If your love budget is more than 70% higher than your normal monthly spend, pause and reassess. Ideally, keep it within 30%–50%, depending on how generous or delusional you’re feeling.
Remember inflation is not romantic
That perfume that was ₦10k in 2023 might now be ₦15k. It’s not your fault. It’s Nigeria. Build a little flexibility into your budget, but don’t let inflation push you into financial self-harm. I don’t think it’s worth it.
Be honest: are we even like that?
This is the time to ask important questions like: are we dating exclusively or just “seeing where things go? Is this a relationship or premium talking stage? Will this person match my energy, or will they just post the gift online?
Let’s be honest: how thoughtful you are with your gifting usually reflects how important the person is to you, and you know what? That’s okay.
Think beyond aesthetics
Roses are cute, but will roses fuel a generator or fill a pot? Instead of dropping ₦50k on money bouquet, which can land you in jail, consider practical gifts like food, groceries, house rent, ride vouchers or fuel, which are very thoughtful in this economy, you can also gift experiences, a picnic, a home-cooked meal, or a chill day out instead of an overpriced restaurant that adds “Valentine’s menu” and doubles prices.
Ok…you have decided to spend on Valentine’s Day. Accrue’s Virtual Dollar Card has your back. If you’re ordering that curated gift box from Instagram, paying for flowers on an international website, or booking a surprise experience online, you don’t have to stress about declined payments or hidden charges. The card works seamlessly for online and international transactions.
Happy Valentine’s Day!
I’ve lived many lives, but one lesson ties them all together: money is only as powerful as its utility. Through my work, I share stories about money and create guides for Africans who want to get the best out of theirs.