8 Out-of-the-Box Valentine’s Day Gifts that Don’t Come in a Box

Chocolate, flowers, candy hearts, jewelry - snore! If your readers and their partners already have everything they need, it doesn’t make sense to clutter the house with more stuff. Here is a unique Valentine’s Day gift guide from MyBankTracker.com, an independent financial comparison site, to put your money to good use. So sit back, relax and watch the love (and money) grow because smart is the new sexy!

1. Give the Keys to Your Apartment or House
It may be the perfect time to let your partner know you're ready to take the relationship to the next level. This doesn’t have to mean moving in together, but it can convey your feelings. If it does mean moving in you can split the bills - resulting in long-term savings for both of you. 

2. Invest in His or Her Future
Offer to pay for that class s/he wants to take - it could open doors to more career opportunities. If your partner wants to open a business, give a small cash investment to help start it or cover the cost of business cards, applying for a business license or creating a website. 

3. Redeem Your Credit Card Rewards for a Trip
If you want to give a special gift but don't have enough cash, redeem your credit card reward points for a gift card or to book travel. Even if you only have enough to book a hotel or one plane ticket, every little bit helps.

4. Help Pay Off a Loan
If your partner struggles with student loans, a car payment or credit card debt - offer to help pay some of the balance to reduce the principal.

5. Offer to Add Them as an Authorized User
If your partner doesn't have a credit history, add him or her as an authorized user on your credit card so you help establish your partner’s credit. It’s important to set limits and monitor the balance, but your credit habits will benefit his or her credit score.

6. Offer a Savings Match
Even though some people are diligent about contributing to a 401(k), they struggle to build an adequate emergency fund. Offer a one-time or continuous savings match to help jumpstart your partner’s savings goals. Show off your financial savviness and suggest opening an online high-yield savings account.

7. Give the Gift of Stock
Rather than cash, give the gift of stock by transferring shares or purchasing individual shares from companies like SparkGift or StockPile. In the long run, it comes with a higher return and can help your significant other learn about investing. Plus, for us money nerds, there’s the excitement of watching the stock increase in value.

8. Buy a Life Insurance Policy
Consider taking out a life insurance policy in your name with your significant other as the beneficiary. Make sure you understand the different policies: (1) term life insurance is attractive because it’s less expensive, but you could outlive the short-term policy (2) whole life insurance provides coverage for your entire life but is more expensive.