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Benefits February 12, 2013
Cost of Loving Increases in 2013
February 12, 2013 (PLANSPONSOR.com) – Consumers will see an increase in the cost of loving in 2013.
Reported by Rebecca Moore
No, that’s not a typo; Houston Asset Management calculated consumers will be spending a total of 2.38% more for the most popular Valentine gifts this year. According to the firm’s annual “Cost of Loving Index,” the cost of giving your loved one imported Chanel No. 5 perfume skyrocketed by 14.04%. Godiva chocolates in a heart-shaped box cost 5.26% more than last year, and the price of a designer silk tie increased 3.45%.
But the majority of gifts on the list remained the same price, and consumers can spend about 9% less by expressing their affections with a candlelit dinner for two, which represents the only price decrease on the index.
Highlights of the Cost of Loving Index include:
- A price of $129.07 for delivery of a dozen long-stemmed roses, the same as last year;
- The cost of two tickets to a first-run movie and a Valentine’s Day greeting card remained the same;
- A toast with a bottle of Simi California Chardonnay is constant at $25.85; and
- The price of a silk designer nightie for her has not changed since 2011 at $68.