February 2020 Financial Checklist
Love is in the air! (doo-doo doo, doo-doo doo!) It’s February, folks. Which means, everywhere you turn it’s roses and chocolates and teddy-bears - oh my! And if you’ve ever been someone’s valentine, then you’d know all too well just how much of a pain in the wallet Valentine’s Day can be. Keyword: ‘can’.
Believe it or not, but V-Day doesn’t have to cost you your entire life savings and we’re going to show you how! So, pull up a chair, grab a cuppa and let’s dive into your February 2020 Financial Checklist!
Have the (money) talk with your significant other
Stuck for V-Day date ideas? Nothing says ‘I love you’ like a romantic heart-to-heart with your lover about personal finances. Just imagine, the two of you lying there under the stars, fantasizing about your (financial) futures together. It’s just like in the movies! Only you’ll be talking budgets, not babies.
RELATED ARTICLE: Free and cheap date ideas for Valentine’s Day
In all seriousness though folks, it’s super important to be on the same page as your partner when it comes to money. In fact, one of the top relationship dealbreakers for Aussies in our relationship deal breakers report was financial transparency. So, now’s the time to have that conversation with your significant other if you haven’t done so already.
Save stacks by ditching prepackaged lunchbox snacks
Now, February 14th isn’t all sunshine and rainbows for everyone. With the kids finally back at school after a solid 6-week break (Hallelujah!), if you’re a parent then you might spend V-Day running around to afterschool activities or making the school lunches.
Speaking of which, did you know that Aussie parents are forking out a whopping $3 billion a year on prepackaged lunchbox snacks? Yep! But, by buying food in bulk and distributing it out over the week you could potentially save as much as $432 per child each year. Which would more than cover the cost of a babysitter so you can go out for Valentine’s Day - only joking!
Dump a dud deal & find your credit card match
If your high-interest credit card is sucking your bank account dry then it might be time to kick that card to the curb. There are plenty of other fish in the sea, so don’t just settle for a dud deal because you’re comfortable.
If you’re slowly spirally into debt because you’re struggling to keep up with through the roof interest payments then you might be better of switching to a low-rate credit card instead.
If V-Day comes before payday, get artsy
Roses are red, violets are blue, buy me a present or we are through! In case you didn’t get the hint from the influx of Valentine’s Day ads plastered on every shop window and bus stop you pass, time’s ticking to buy your Valentine the perfect gift. But what do you do when V-day comes before payday?
Get creative of course! You don’t need to go out and buy the most extravagant present you can find. You’ll actually find that your significant other would be just as happy, if not more, with a handmade gift.
RELATED ARTICLE: How to be the world’s best Valentine without spending a dollar
Head to Kmart, print out some cute pics of the two of you, then use them to make a scrapbook. Are you a Spielberg in the making? Put your editing skills to good use and make a movie compilation of old videos you’ve shot over the years. Hit up Pinterest for more DIY gift-spo!
Embrace the age of Aquarius with a side hustle
It’s Aquarius season, folks! Which means things are about to get weird (the good kind!). Our mystical Mozo Magic 8-ball predicted that 2020 will be a wild ride for our airy-fairy Aquarian friends, especially in the career sphere.
Expect to finally follow your gut and pursue your true life calling, Aquarius. No more letting society push you into unfulfilling jobs just to make ends meet. As for everyone else, the best thing to do now is, whatever you do best. Embrace the age of Aquarius, let your spirit soar, and start that side hustle!
That’s all for now folks! Be sure to check out our life & money hub for all the latest personal finance tips and tricks. Otherwise, we hope you have an incredible month and we’ll see you back here soon for your March 2020 Financial Checklist!
