How to Avoid Going Further into Debt this Valentine's Day by Informa Research Services.

CALABASAS, Calif. -- With the holiday season behind us, dealing with post-holiday debt can be a challenging experience for some, according to Informa Research Services. Consider a Holiday Shopping Poll recently conducted by Consumer Reports which indicates that 23% of Americans will not be able to pay-off their debt until March or later -- contributing to the $63.6 billion charged on credit cards throughout the shopping season.

While no one enjoys incurring more debt than they have to, no sooner has one holiday passed which involves the "gift of giving" that another one approaches. The National Retail Federation's 2007 Valentine's Day Consumer Intentions and Actions Survey estimates the average consumer will spend $119.67 on Valentine's Day, an increase of 16% from the previous year.

When it comes to showing your affection for that special person, both men and women will be hitting the stores for that perfect gift. Men will wind up spending $156.22 on average while women will account for $85.08.

However what you spend doesn't have to add to your debt load if you follow these few simple guidelines:

        - Buy what you can afford to pay. The last thing you want to
          do is charge another extravagant purchase to an already
          overcharged credit card. Don't feel you have to over-
          compensate for the low-budget gift you gave your "sweetie"
          at Christmas with a diamond heart pendant. Stash away any
          left over savings into a high-yield savings account
          (http://moneycentral.msn.com/loan/home.asp?iType=8) which
          you can use to fund next year's gift.

        - Pay cash instead of charging. Purchasing a nice card,
          flowers or candy (the top three Valentine's Day gifts) are
          all you need to say "I Love You." You'll feel better knowing
          you've taken the first step towards decreasing your holiday
          debt. Pay with your debit card or cash. If you must use your
          credit card, select one that has a 0% or low-introductory
          rate which you can pay off in the allotted timeframe before
          the interest rate increases.

        - Celebrate at home instead of going out. If holiday spending
          really has you in a pinch consider entertaining your "loved
          one" at home. A survey conducted last year by Harris
          Interactive found "cooking a romantic dinner" especially
          appealing to Gen Xers in the 28 to 39 age group.

Whatever "romantic feelings" you had for your partner when you first met can be rekindled with a genuine expression of heart-felt love that doesn't have to cost you an arm and a leg. Even personalized gifts like a photograph, massage, or walk on the beach can make someone feel "truly special" without causing you to go further into debt.

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About Informa Research Services, Inc. (www.informars.com)

Since 1983, Informa Research Services, Inc. has provided the financial industry's most extensive array of market research and decision-support information.