Just call it the price of love. According to Forbes and the National Retail Federation, Americans will spend a whopping $19.7 billion dollars on Valentine's Day this year. Billion. Wow, that's a lot of chocolate!

 

Prosper Insights and Analytics say 54.8 percent of consumers will actually celebrate Valentine’s Day, spending an average of  $146.84 on flowers, jewelry, candy, apparel, and more, and that is up from $142.31 in previous years. Compared to spending for the Super Bowl  which was $15 billion, Valentine's Day seems to have a lot more at stake! Just ask anyone who has ever forgotten this trumped up (my words) holiday.

 

And you might also be surprised at how much Americans spend on Valentine's Day merchandise for their pets. This year it's a cool $26.24 per pet. Men will spend an average of $133.61, and women will spend around $62.14 on significant others.

 

Items that are most in demand on Valentine's Day, according to this survey at least, are, in order, Candy, flowers, jewelry, greeting cards, an evening out, clothing, gift cards, and 'other'.

 

Well, now that you are thoroughly depressed over the huge amounts of money that you may, or may not, be spending, Happy Valentine's Day, y'all!

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