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https://www.blackenterprise.com/survey-americans-scaling-back-valentines-day-spending/
Americans are leaning toward traditional, lower-cost gestures this Valentine’s Day, with most preferring a romantic dinner over expensive gifts, according to a new national survey.
A recent CouponFollow poll of 1,005 adults in relationships found that 61% consider a dinner date the ideal way to celebrate the holiday. Experiences such as travel or concert tickets ranked closely behind at 57%, while 46% said a handwritten card or letter would be their top choice.
Despite continued enthusiasm for the occasion, couples appear to be tightening their budgets according to the survey. On average, respondents said they plan to spend $87 on their partner this year — a notable decrease from 2025, when Americans reported budgeting $155 for Valentine’s gifts overall.
As reported by CNBC, Clay Cary, senior trends analyst at CouponFollow, said the shift reflects a broader recalibration rather than a loss of interest in the holiday. “There has been a significant change in how Americans are approaching this holiday,” Cary said. “They are not pulling away from Valentine’s Day, but they are being more selective on how much they are willing to, or can, spend on this holiday.”
Rising costs may be playing a role. Since early 2020, cumulative inflation, as measured by the Consumer Price Index, has increased roughly 26%, according to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The CPI tracks price changes across a wide range of goods and services, including essentials such as groceries and fuel.
The financial strain is prompting some couples to skip the celebration entirely. One in five respondents said they plan to forgo Valentine’s Day this year.
Douglas Boneparth, president of wealth management firm Bone Fide Wealth, said perceptions about whether $87 is a lot or a little depend largely on individual financial circumstances. For some households, that amount may feel substantial; for others, modest. Ultimately, he noted, spending should align with income and available resources.
Boneparth suggests that couples take time to reflect on their financial values before deciding how to celebrate. Individuals should consider what money represents to them and how those beliefs shape their priorities. Discussing expectations together can also clarify what each partner values most.
“I think by answering those questions about yourself and each other, you probably come to a much more meaningful Valentine’s Day,” Boneparth said.
As inflation continues to influence consumer behavior, this year’s data suggests many Americans are opting for heartfelt gestures over high price tags — keeping romance intact while keeping spending in check.
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We’re only one episode in with Monarch: Legacy of Monsters season two, and we have plenty of monsters already, both old and new. The first episode this season, “Cause and Effect,” introduces several new creatures into the saga. But it begins with one of the main stars of the Monsterverse, and his welcome return. Yes, we’re talking about Kong. At the end of Monarch: Legacy of Monsters season one, the characters Cate, May, and Keiko emerge from Axis Mundi into our world, in the year 2017. And they didn’t just emerge anywhere, they came out the other side on Skull Island, the infamous home of Kong. And we got a brief cameo of a very angry Titan at the end of that cliffhanger episode. So does Kong appear in season two? He most certainly does, as Monarch season two’s first episode opens with Kong’s rampage on a Monarch facility on his island. And this Kong is not happy about these intruders. Before the opening credits even roll on this episode, we see dozens of Monarch employees fleeing from an Angry Kong on Skull Island. As scientists and staff try to escape, Kong starts smashing his way through everything. He throws a Monarch truck like it’s a beach ball, letting it explode. Kong then smashes his fists into the ground, killing several people. He then steps on several more as they try to run away. Our main characters manage to escape in a helicopter, as Kong roars at them as they flee. After the credits, we learn Kong killed sixteen people. As one character says about Kong, “It’s his island. The only reason he lets us stay there as long as we don’t stir the pot.” Later in the episode, May, Cate, and Kentaro go back to Skull Island in an effort to rescue Lee Shaw from Axis Mundi against company orders. While trekking through the jungle, they hide from a creature that looks like a smaller dragon from Game of Thrones. It has electrical charges that come out of its mouth, not unlike Godzilla. The rescue party manages to hide from it, after it kills a giant worm for food and then flies away. In a scene that riffs on the famous “raptors in the kitchen” scene from Jurassic Park (which Stranger Things also paid homage to recently), we see the rescue party head into an abandoned Monarch control room on the island. The catch the attention of a creature that looks like a deformed weasel, whose face is literally molting. And it has a huge rat-like tail. It walks on all fours, and is killed when Kentaro pins it against a wall with a forklift. In Axis Mundi, older Lee Shaw (Kurt Russell) encounters a giant boar-like creature in the woods. Only this boar isn’t just huge, about the size of a stegosaurus, but it has deer-like antlers coming out of its body. It starts to rev up to charge, but Shaw is saved by the bell, when his friends attempt to rescue him by sending a pod. This startles the beast, and it runs away. Unfortunately, something gets into the pod with Shaw. And it ain’t pretty. While running to the Monarch rescue pod, dozens of crab-like creatures about the size of a dog start chasing Shaw. He manages to fight off most of them, but one of them gets inside the pod. And it nearly kills him. This ugly critter has a huge mouth with dozens of sharp teeth, but Shaw manages to stab it and get away. Before he escapes from Axis Mundi, Shaw sees a massive Titan emerge from what looks like a mountain. We don’t get a good look at its face, but it has several spiked tentacles, that look about a football field wide. This nasty kajiu, which looks almost like a giant flea, escapes from the Axis Mundi into our world when it follows Shaw through the portal. It tangles with Kong, but escapes into the ocean. This is just the beginning. The new kaiju, Titan X, is waiting in the wings. And of course, Godzilla will pop up before too long as well. We can’t wait to see what rears its ugly head in season two of Monarch: Legacy of Monsters. Editor’s Note: Nerdist is a subsidiary of Legendary Digital Networks
Kong
The Electrical Dragon/Bat
The Weasel Beast
The Boar with Antlers
The Crab Bug
The Giant Flea
The post These Monsters Appear in MONARCH Season 2, Episode 1 appeared first on Nerdist.
Feb. 17 was Random Acts of Kindness Day, a day that promotes deliberate generosity among people, businesses, and community groups. If you missed it, that’s fine. Random acts of kindness can be practiced anytime.
Studies have shown that kindness produces quantifiable enhancements in personal well-being, workplace morale, and community participation. The Denver-based nonprofit Random Acts of Kindness Foundation created the initiative to show how kindness benefits social and psychological health and to “make kindness the norm,” according to its website.
If you’re interested in hopping on the kindness train and want to make a significant impact, here are a few ways to get started.
Support a Black-owned business with a direct purchase
People who wish to create positive change for those who are marginalized economically can support to a Black-owned businesses through a direct sale. It’s a good idea to verify the business’s status before making purchases to ensure that businesses are Black-owned. You can confirm at physical stores or through the company’s online platform.
Leave a 100% tip for service workers
As a random act of kindness, the recommended tip amount should equal twice the regular payment or completely cover the entire service expense. Service workers who receive tips depend on gratuities because the federal minimum wage for tipped employees stands at $2.13 per hour. One substantial tip from a customer can make a major difference in a worker’s income for the day.
Donate blood
The American Red Cross has announced ongoing blood shortages. All healthy adults who meet eligibility criteria can arrange and complete a blood donation as a random act of kindness. A single donation delivers significant help to numerous patients. Blood donations are operated by the American Red Cross at sites nationwide and can be found on the organization’s website.
Write a professional recommendation
People who have worked directly with a colleague can make a substantial difference by validating their professional capabilities. This random act of kindness involves sharing a well-written LinkedIn recommendation or formal reference letter to showcase an individual’s strengths effectively. Endorsements help professionals build their careers through social proof and increase their visibility. They might even create career opportunities.
Fund a classroom or youth initiative
This can be as simple as supplying classroom materials or youth enrichment programs to help reduce the financial stress teachers face when they have to purchase these supplies from their own funds. Small donations through DonorsChoose fulfill verified requests quickly to deliver direct benefits to students and educators.
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