Don’t let recession wreck romance

Cheshire Building Society is advising couples to talk openly about their finances this Valentine's and not let money worries damage their relationships.

Relate, the relationship counselling service, recently reported an almost 60% rise in the number of couples seeking counselling in October and November 2008, compared to the same time in 2007. Growing fears of redundancy and financial insecurity have been blamed for the increase.

With couples all over the country feeling the strain of the recession and tightening their belts, the Cheshire offers the following tips to help keep the romance alive this Valentine's Day, without spending a small fortune:

Understand your differences

Differing budgets can cause conflict: setting a low budget and sticking to it can encourage creativity when buying presents without burning a hole in your pocket.

Cook!

Try cooking your partner's favourite meal at home instead of splashing the cash on a meal out. A little thought and effort can make the day much more personal.

Out and about

Make the most of Valentine's Day falling on a Saturday. Why not check out some of your local attractions that you normally don't have time to see? There are plenty of museums and art galleries which have free entry.

Winter picnic

If the weather turns out to be crisp and dry this Saturday, then take a romantic stroll in the park with a picnic. A flask of some hot soup will warm you up in no time!

Save up for something bigger

Alternatively, you can put aside the money you normally spend on gifts and start saving together for a romantic mini-break later in the year.