The Valentine is bought so much chocolate it should be accompanied by an already paid for visit to the dentist. Restaurants are fully booked. Romantic travel destinations teem with patrons. With each plan for the perfect Valentine’s Day, businesses rake in the big bucks! Valentine’s Day is for spending money – whether you have it or not. The money this day spins worldwide, makes for a sobering read.
According to usatoday.com, “This year, US$14.7 billion will be spent on Valentine’s Day-related purchases, according to BIGresearch. Nearly 91 percent of people will spend the most, an average $67.22, on their significant other, with other family members such as children getting about one-fifth of the budget, $20.95. A few dollars will be spent on: friends, $4.74; children’s classmates and teachers, $3.59; co-workers, $1.94; and pets, $2.17.”Note that $14.7 billion is much higher than Malawiís Gross Domestic Product at purchasing power parity, which the Wikipedia informs us sits at $10.5 million.
