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We spent the eighties, nineties and a good part of the new century buying love and affection. We expressed our emotions through gifts of rich chocolates, fragrant roses and fine jewelry. Some showed the love with exotic trips, major appliances or shiny cars. These pricey extensions of our emotions were almost always accompanied by sappy, professionally composed greeting cards.

However, with the budgets of today's average American on the lean side and less disposable income available -- much of it tied up in various unaccounted for bank bailout funds -- we need to consider a cheaper way to say "I love you."

As Valentine's Day approaches, let us stretch the limits of our imaginations and pretend that true love in its purist, most genuine form cannot be purchased with the swipe of a credit card. Let us suppose that to prove our gooey, mushy feelings toward each other, we need to do things and give of ourselves.

I am not suggesting that one could actually win over one's sweetheart and stir up warm and fuzzy feelings without one's wallet. But for the sake of argument and our wallets -- an experiment, if you will -- let us toss around a few low-cost possibilities for expressing love.

One could, for example, dig out those partially used holiday candles. In consideration of the spirit of Valentine's Day, it would be best to go with red or white. However, green, blue, orange and even multicolored candles glow beautiful when lit.

Once the candles are located, one could begin planning a romantic dinner for two. Nothing fancy -- just a creative version of the inexpensive groceries picked up per this week's circular specials and double-coupon deals.

Clean plates, lots of utensils, two stemmed glasses for water and whatever else one would normally drink with supper and napkins folded just so can really dress up a meal. Turning out the lights and eating by candlelight would not only add to the romantic atmosphere, but could also reduce the power bill.

For those more technologically savvy, let us consider bringing back the mix-tape. Of course, in 2009, we are talking mix-CDs and personalized playlists, but the same basic concept applies. One must go through one's collection of digital music and pick out eight to 10 songs that will melt the heart of their beloved. The selections must then be ripped to a CD or saved to a cutesy named playlist.

Hypothetically speculating, a gift of personalized, well thought-out music selections could potentially evoke feelings of love when initially presented to one's beloved as well as every time the beloved listens to the music in the future.

Not that this example can be generally applied across the board, but when I listen to the mix-CDs Hubby ripped for me, even if we've recently been engaged in a tiff, my heart melts a little and my knees become somewhat wobbly. It makes it easier to kiss and make up after popping in the mix-CD and chilling out for awhile. But that's just me.

In consideration of the popularity of coupons of late, it would not be a stretch to create personalized coupons for those we love. Valentine coupons would not be useful while shopping and would be worth less than 1/100th of a cent. However, with some creativity and thoughtfulness, they might be worth a little something to the recipient.

Does your partner hate to do laundry? Create a coupon good for three free loads of wash, dry and fold service. Does your loved one like your homemade butter cookies? Create a coupon good for a steaming dozen of the confection. Does your sweetie dream of one day controlling the remote for more than thirty seconds? Create a coupon good for an entire day during which they are the only one allowed to operate the clicker.

Anyone creating Valentine coupons will need to dig deep into their childhood and get in touch with their inner preschooler who could use materials found around the house, a glue stick and some glitter and create a frame-worthy document. Or, one could get in touch with one's inner pre-teen who could use a mouse, computer and printer to create a colorful, graphic art masterpiece.

While none of these so-called gifts can be displayed for peers to envy on one's desk, in the parking lot or dangling from one's neck at work come the Monday after Valentine's, in consideration of the economy, it might be worth the effort this year.

As for me, I plan to surprise Hubby with a homemade candlelit macaroni and cheese dinner for two. In the background will be the romantic sounds of the mix-CD -- mainly Beatles songs -- I will rip for him. For dessert, he will receive a handcrafted coupon for a couple of loads of wash, dry and fold service to be done by yours truly.

And if Hubby is not moved by my cheap sentiments, I'll simply scrimp and save so I can buy him a set of drums for Valentine's Day 2010.

Micki Bare is a columnist for the Arkansas News Bureau and the Courier-Tribune in Asheboro, N.C., and author of the book, "Relative Expressions." She lives in Asheboro with her husband and three children. Her e-mail address is mickibare@inspiredscribe.com.