Valentine's Day and Dragobetele are perceived by Romanians as symbolic occasions rather than moments of intense consumption, according to the data of the Financial Seasons Barometer.
Few men allocate significant amounts for Valentine's give Dragobete. Archive photo
Unlike other periods of the year with high pressure on the budget, such as the winter holidays (63%) or Black Friday (39%), less than 10% of Romanians declare that they spent more than usual on this occasion.
Men are almost twice as likely as women to allocate an additional budget for Valentine's Day or Dragobete, according to the barometer carried out by the CFA Romania Association. 8.1% of men say they spent more than the rest of the year or on other holidays, compared to 4.3% of women.
For the majority of Romanians, this period remains rather symbolic, without generating considerable expenses.
However, the likelihood of spending more during Valentine's Month increases with income level. Thus, only 4.1% of those with incomes below 3,000 lei allocated more than usual for special occasions, while the proportion rises to 8% among those with incomes between 5,000 and 7,000 lei.
Love manifests itself differently depending on age
Even among those who see Valentine's Day as an occasion for more spending, the generations adopt different styles of managing their budgets. Generation Z (people born between 1997-2012) is more weighted during the holidays analyzed in the Barometer of Financial Seasons (Black Friday, winter holidays, Valentine's Day and Dragobete, Children's Day), with 63% of young people spending under 1,000 lei, while Generation X (born between 1965 and 1980) is more willing to give more a lot of money, so 65% of them spend above this threshold. Millennials (born between 1980 and 1996) tend to be balanced in budget management: half declare expenses below 1,000 lei, while a quarter allocate between 1,000 and 1,999 lei.
The Financially Smart Love Guide
CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst) specialists recommend that in February, couples start by clearly establishing how much they are willing to spend, so that the budget remains under control. In this regard, the Abracashdabra Guide offers practical suggestions for analyzing offers, avoiding impulses and turning gestures into memorable experiences, not just expensive gifts. Also, open discussions about shared expectations and plans, including financial ones, can strengthen the relationship and keep the budget balanced.
“Valentine's Day or Valentine's Day spending habits are a new topic of study for us and the numbers we discovered in the Financial Seasons Barometer confirm that it is worth exploring closely for better financial education. These holidays can be an excellent opportunity to practice smart financial choices such as setting a clear budget, carefully evaluating offers and targeting gifts or experiences that have real relevance to the couple. Managed this way, money supports personal decisions and contributes to healthy financial balance without diminishing the significance of the moment.”, said Florentina Almajanu, general director of the CFA Romania Association.
