Every Thursday, I share my thoughts on Family Finances. 

It’s hard to avoid the hype, so you’ve probably already taken care of checking "get a Valentine for _____" off your list of "to dos" today, but I thought I’d throw out a few pointers just in case you’re one of those people who stops off at the convenience store on the way home from work looking for a card and a suitable gift.  Last year, an article over at MSNBC stated that US consumers would spend over $13 billion celebrating Valentine’s day. 

Nuts, right? 

I think so! 

Maybe it’s because I’m not a hopeless romantic, or because I’ve been married over 21 years that I’ve gotten a little cynical about this excess.  Maybe it’s because with all the bad economic news we get these days I’d rather see us spend that $13 billion feeding the poor or improving our schools. 

So before you spend $60 (if you’re lucky) on a dozen roses or $30 on a box of assorted chocolates, stop yourself and think about alternatives to spending that money.  Ponder making a heartfelt and greatly needed donation to a charitable organization like Hannah and Friends in the name of your loved one.  For you husbands out there, I will share a secret with you:  we wives would rather have a handwritten love note than a five dollar card that plays a song and was written by someone else.  My teenage sons ignored the chocolate they received before school this morning, but raced off to enjoy the iTunes gift cards Grandma sent them to download a few songs before school.

The true point of today is sharing love with one another.  We don’t need roses or candy to show our loved ones we care - we need time together and expressions of lasting commitment to one another.  My husband gets major points in my book every time he takes time to fill my tank with gas - now that’s true love!  Get creative today about showing your love without breaking the bank, and enjoy!