From volunteer vacations to politically correct gems to eco-friendly lingerie, there’s more than one way to show your Valentine you care. Indeed, humanitarian and earth-friendly gifts not only do the world a favor, but give the holiday a greater sense of purpose.

The number of Americans trading in marriage for cohabitation continues to rise. So, assuming that arrangement means commitment and longevity, couples need to make sure you have an estate plan in place to avoid some very unwelcome surprises down the road.

It’s a common dilemma for couples. Not only figuring out how much money will be needed for retirement, but also answering broader questions that will take some reflection. Where will we live? Will we work part-time? How much will we travel?

Romances between rich, older men and beautiful young women have gone on for centuries, but in 2008 the tables have turned–at least they did Thursday night at a Manhattan speed-dating event that sought to pair wealthy older women with younger, attractive men. 

Prenuptial agreements are often associated with millionaire moguls and super celebs, but the truth is prenups are not only for the über rich and famous. In fact, people of all ages and ranges of net worth could find a lot of value in signing one before they tie the knot.

Partly because of the deteriorating economy, more companies than usual are participating in the annual blizzard of holiday promotions, but skeptics still warn about advertising overkill and the risks of marginal or tacky campaigns.

CNBC personal finance correspondent Sharon Epperson shares some smart advice for couples in this excerpt from her book, "The Big Payoff: 8 Steps Couples Can Take to Make the Most of Their Money— And Live Richly Ever After."

Valentine's Day  is now the third largest holiday for retailers, partly because the practice of giving gifts has been expanded to almost everyone from friends to coworkers to pets.

Valentine's Day is the second most popular day of the year to dine out and the restaurant industry can expect another healthy showing this year — over $1.5 billion --  even if other areas are seeing a pullback.

Americans are starting to trade in traditional favorites like jewelry, flowers and candy for experiential gifts like dining and wine tasting.