Flowers, chocolates, fancy restaurants...tired of celebrating Valentine's Day the same way every year? Although flowers, candy and a night out on the town are not typically a cause for complaint, wouldn't it be nice to do something different for a change?

Why not try searching the far corners of your brain, scraping away the layers of duty and responsibility that constantly cloud your mind, and remember when you knew how to be creative in your thought processes. Whether your Valentine's Day budget is super-sized, dollar store or somewhere in between, there is always room for a little creativity. Still having trouble thinking outside the proverbial box of chocolates? Well, then, here are some ideas worth considering:

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For the couple that is a little bit crazy and has a little money to burn, take a ride in a hot air balloon. Average costs range from $150 to $300 per person, which may seem a bit pricey, but what a breathtaking experience and a memorable way to mark this Valentine's Day. After all, we did just survive the Mayan Apocalypse.

Although it may not be as exhilarating as a hot air balloon excursion, my husband and I never get tired of couples massages. Priced at around $75 to $150 per person, depending on the length of the massage and the fanciness of the spa, there is little more relaxing and refreshing  than a deep tissue massage, complete with natural oils, aromatherapy candles and calming new age music.

Perhaps this year marks a milestone Valentine's Day like your 10th or 20th together. This may be the year to purchase a keepsake. His and Her luxury monogrammed bathrobes usually average $80 to $140 each, including the monogram. Add a bottle of champagne and a crackling fire in the fireplace, and the stage is set for an extra romantic Valentine's celebration.

If you want to keep the cost under $100 each, consider a gourmet cooking class for two. It's loads of fun, and you may be surprised at what you find by just googling "cooking classes" in your area. From full meals, to melt in your mouth breads, to scrumptious sweets, a cooking class for two is a wonderful way to spend special time with your Valentine.


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Winery Tours and wine tastings are fun and romantic too.  They can cost as little as $15 a person or as much as $60 a person depending on how much wine you and your sweetie want to taste.

For art lovers, a visit to a favorite museum or a new art gallery will usually run $25 to $50 depending on the rarity of the exhibit or the popularity of the artist.



Even though it may be short and sweet, there are few things that beat horse drawn carriage rides in the romance department. Twinkling stars, glowing moonlight, crisp air and the clackety-clack of the horse's hooves will only set you back $20 to $40 plus a tip for the driver.

For couples on a tighter budget, an afternoon strolling around the local zoo may run around $12 to $24 each. If it's too cold for the zoo, an evening of ice skating hand-in-hand might fit the bill. You may expect to pay $10 to $18 each for admission plus $8 to $12 each for the skate rental.

Depending on your budget, you might want to take a trip back in time and recreate your first date. Of course, if you are celebrating your 50th Valentine's Day together and your first date was cliff diving in Acapulco, you may want to rethink the "recreate your first date" idea and opt for a picnic at home in front of the fire complete with roasted marshmallows.

The point is, anyone can come up with a unique and magical way to spend Valentine's Day on any budget with just a little imagination.

 
Selecting a Policy

Before signing your health insurance contract, it is important that you read your policy carefully. You may want to schedule an appointment with your agent or insurance representative at your place of employment so that you can ask any questions you may have regarding your policy. The amount of your monthly premium is an important consideration. In order to keep your premium down, you might consider a higher deductible; however it is important that you choose a deductible you can afford to pay in the event of an illness or accident.

There are a number of questions you may want to ask your agent or representative such as:
* Are the doctors and hospitals you prefer in your policy's network?
* What is your co-insurance and what are your co-pays?
* How are emergency room visits handled? Are they paid in full? Do you have to pay a portion?
* What is considered an emergency? If your insurance company denies your ER claim stating it was not a true emergency, what are your options? NOTE: It is important that you do not use the emergency room for non-emergency treatment.
* Are major medical expenses and hospitalizations covered in your policy?
* Are there any exclusions in your policy such as plastic surgery or substance abuse treatment?
* What is the family out-of-pocket limit or the maximum you will have to pay each year?
* Are there limitations on pre-existing conditions? NOTE: By law, there can be no limits on pre-existing conditions for people 19 years of age and younger.
* Is preventive care covered at 100%? If so, what procedures, such as annual physicals or mammograms, are covered each year? NOTE: It is wise to take advantage of all covered preventive care as you are paying for these services with your premiums, and preventive care helps detect illnesses before they become life-threatening.
* Does your plan include prescription medications, vision or dental care? If so, what is the additional cost for this coverage?

Before selecting an insurance company, you may want to check the reputations of the companies you are considering by checking this insurance rating website.