February is the month we celebrate love, which can be expensive if you don’t plan for it.

If you're in any kind of a relationship, you should be planning — and budgeting — for added expenses this month. You may think love is free, but retailers have found a way to put a hefty price tag on proving your love.

This is the time of year for fancy cards and gifts that are purely for joy and expression. And since the demand on certain popular gifts is higher in February, you may find yourself spending more than you planned. The average consumer will spend about $120 on Valentine's purchases this year, according to the National Retail Federation.

A dozen roses at almost any other time of year can cost you anywhere from $25 to $50, depending on your choice of florist and the type of roses you want. But when Valentine's Day rolls around, prices can jump. According to Fox Business, the huge demand for roses on a single day out of the year means that rose producers, shippers and retailers have to increase volume dramatically. This adds up to higher costs, which are up an average of $14 per dozen this year.

If your honey is not into flowers, then candy is the second most popular Valentine's Day gift item according to Forbes. Last year, almost 50 percent of Valentine's shoppers planned to purchase candy and the favorite — or about 75 percent — is chocolate. The price of those fancy chocolates tends to follow the same price as the dozen red roses. Increased demand dictates a higher price, either as retailers have to pay more or as they simply see the opportunity for some additional profit.

The 2011 Valentine's Day chocolate market could be even more of a price jump due to political conditions in West Africa, which supplies some 80 percent of the world's cocoa beans. A short supply and a big demand mean only one end result for consumers: A higher price.

Dinner out is a nice choice for couples. However many restaurants offer Valentine “specials” which often include items you might not normally purchase, such as several courses and a nice bottle of wine. Consumers are expected to shell out around $3.4 billion on dining out as a Valentine's gift this month. A cupid's dinner out is likely to cost from $30 to $200 more than an average dinner out.

While the splurge may be worth it, the savvy consumer will be aware that any meal eaten out on Valentine's Day will cost more than it would any other time for the same food. Increased demand and eager consumers result in higher prices.

This is the month to prove what you feel all year long. Make it special by being creative and romantic. You might find it is cheaper. However, if peace in your relationship is worth the higher prices, just be aware you'll be paying dearly for it, and budget accordingly.

Patricia Kummer has been an independent certified financial planner for 25 years and is president of Kummer Financial Strategies Inc., a registered investment advisor in Highlands Ranch. She welcomes your questions at www.kummerfinancial.com or call the economic hotline at 303-683-5800. Any material discussed is meant for informational purposes only and not a substitute for individual advice. Excerpts taken from Financial Edge.

Visit Kummer Financial Strategies Inc.