ALEXANDRIA, Va.—Love means never having to…pay too much.
Or at least that’s the message from credit unions around the country this Valentine’s Day, with numerous loan specials being tied to the holiday, along with advice and reminders that love may be blind, but it can come with a price tag.
Among the love letters to members:
- In Alexandria, Va., Pentagon Federal is offering its cardholders Valentine’s Day deals with three different merchants. On Teleflora.com, members can get 40% off fresh flowers; on BlueFly.com, members can get two-day free shipping, and on Shop.com, when members spend $25 they get a free $15 gift card. In all three cases, members must enroll in Visa Checkout, which is designed to speed the online purchasing process by creating a once-time sign in. Not ones to let a holiday pass, to honor President’s Day PenFed is also offering auto loan rates as low as 0.99% to members who use its car buying service.
Focus CU talks Valentine's Day in blog post.
- In a blog post on its website, Focus Credit Union in Marianna, Fla. is asking members, “Is Valentine’s Day threatening to break your budget? It seems that each year, we’re spending more and more on this holiday. The National Retail Federation’s recent survey says that the average American plans to spend $133.91 on Valentine’s candy, cards, gifts, dinner and more….Since Valentine's Day is about celebrating the one you love, there are ways you can show your affection without going broke.” The blog post then goes on to urge members to “keep it local” with florists, to “put on an apron” and cook at home, and to “get crafty” and make something personalized in order to save money.
- Education First Credit Union is similarly using its blog to urge members to use restraint when spending (and to offer some comfort to members without Valentines, noting that even though it’s also known as Singles Awareness Day, or SAD for short, “you don’t have to be in a relationship to enjoy the holiday.”)
“The amount of money you spend on Valentine’s Day can range anywhere from zero dollars to hundreds of dollars. I think it is important to remember that it’s not the price you pay, but the thought you put into a gift,” wrote the credit union’s blogger.
The article goes on to list Valentines Day’s ideas for kids, for couples, and for those without a significant other.
- Great Lakes Credit Union is offering members “Fun Ways to Cut Costs This Valentine’s Day” by featuring ideas originally published by TheMint.org for putting a little more of the cheap in cheap date. These include homemade meals, “love coupons,” and the creation of personal music playlists.
- On Long Island, N.Y., Island FCU is offering a free Valentine’s Day lollipop to anyone who stops into its branches on Friday or Saturday.
- In Michigan, Manistique FCU has scheduled its annual meeting for Valentine’s Day, and notes on its website, “Get your tickets! Also, it’s Valentine’s Day, bring the one you love!”
- Redstone FCU, Huntsville, Ala., is offering an extra 2% cash back on purchases made on its Visa Platinum card in three qualified categories: jewelry, florists and hotels.
The offer is running Feb. 1-16. “So whether you're celebrating Valentine’s Day, Groundhog Day, President’s Day, or any day of the week, earn more with a Visa Platinum credit card from Redstone Federal Credit Union,” reads promotional text.
Greater Abbeville FCU promotes one-day loan special.
- In South Carolina, Greater Abbeville FCU is offering a one-day only Valentine’s Day special on personal loans, with $1,000 available and an eight-month term at 14% APR.
- In Fort Wayne, Ind., Midwest America Credit Union is running a Valentine’s Day Vehicle Loan Special through Feb. 28 with a rate of 2.14% on vehicles from model year 2012 forward. Terms are out to 60 months.
- And in New Jersey, Bayonne Hospital Employees FCU is offering a Valentine’s Day Special Loan of $500 with a four-month term.