February 14^th is right around the corner. Whether you’re planning on kicking it with your single friends or staying in for a steamy yet affordable Valentine’s Day with your boo, chances are you’re on the prowl for some stylish Valentine cocktails to serve. Whether the plan is to curl up in a snow-covered cabin with a hot toddy or hit the beach from your mod vacation rental, this list of Valentine cocktails is sure to leave you inspired. (See also: Stylish Winter Cocktails)

Cranberry Cobbler Martini

This custom-crafted cocktail from Brasseriejo in Boston’s Colonnade Hotel has the holiday’s color scheme down pat.

Ingredients: 1.5 ounces of Bulleit Bourbon, 1 ounce of cranberry syrup, 2 ounces of cranberry juice, one ounce of lime juice.

Directions: Fill a martinini shaker with ice. Add bourbon, syrup, and both juices. Shake vigorously and strain into a martini glass. Garnish with fresh cranberries.

Pair the cranberry cobbler with your favorite February finger foods, such as heart-shaped roasted chicken wings, low-fat Thai shrimp toast or a decidedly Mediterranean bruschetta.

Berry Kiss

Berry Kiss

From the folks at HaruSushi in NYC, comes this five-ingredient recipe called the Berry Kiss. With both strawberry puree and POM juice, there won’t be any doubt that this cocktail was indeed designed with Valentine’s Day in mind.

Ingredients: 1.5 ounces of Absolut Citron, 1 ounce of Veev acai liqueur, a half ounce of strawberry puree, one half ounce of POM juice, 2 orange slices and a splash of sour mix.

Directions: Muddle the fresh strawberry and orange slices, and then pour all contents over ice into a beverage shaker. Give the entire mix a vigorous shake and strain into a sugar-rimmed cosmo glass.

Personally, I’d serve this drink with a strawberry and cheese tray, but you could also go with cucumber canapés or your favorite cocktail bread topper.

Anejo Kiss

The people at the Partida tequila company have put together this luscious drink that also keeps kisses in the front of everyone’s mind. I like that it’s simple and to the point.

Ingredients: 1 and a half ounces of Partida Anejo, one half ounce of white Crème de Cacao and one ounce of Amarula Cream.

Directions: Mix ingredients well in a shaker with ice and strain into a chilled martini glass.

With the creaminess of this cocktail, I’d save it for the after dinner drink slot in your Valentine itinerary. Also, since the drink appears quite rich, you may want to go with a lighter dessert such as dark-chocolate-covered strawberries.

Gloria’s Pyrat Punch

This tropical treat comes straight from the Cuisinart Resort in Anguilla. Made famous by the popular television show The Bachelor, it’s a venue well-known for its stylish beverage and food selections. This one is particularly perfect if you’re getting ready to take your significant other on a tropical getaway to pop the question. Whip up a batch before hopping into that airport shuttle, or use it to create a theme around which you can enjoy the holiday at home.

Ingredients: 2 ounces of Pyrat rum, 1 ounce of apricot brandy, an ounce of Galliano, 3 ounces of orange juice, a dash of lime and 2 drops of grenadine.

Directions: Combine all ingredients and shake. Pour on ice into a highball glass or – for full effect – a hollowed out pineapple.

If you do opt for the stay at home plan, this cocktail is best paired with foods from the grill. Seafood is particularly well suited, but there’s certainly nothing wrong with ribs, rice and grilled fruit either. As long as your menu celebrates the tropical outdoors, you’ll be good to go.

The Pink Mimosa

This unusual beverage was created by Scott Curry, head cocktail technician at Alta Bistro in Whistler, British Columbia. It includes the unique ingredient of Nonna Pia’s strawberry and fig infused balsamic reduction to create a sexy, fun and colorful cocktail option for the venue’s guests. Who knew?

Ingredients: 1 ounce Schramm vodka, dash of elderflower, splash of the balsamic reduction, a dash each of lemon and orange, 2-3 freshly muddled strawberries and a sparkling rose wine to top things off.

Directions: In a shaker, muddle the strawberries and shake with all liquids but the sparkling rose wine. Double strain into a champagne class and top with the sparkling wine. Garnish with strawberries.

This hand-crafted mimosa is perfect for a Valentine’s Day brunch or for hiding that surprise engagement ring. Pair with fun breakfast foods such as smoked salmon with bagels and capers, quiche or breakfast casserole with sliced fruit.

These are the Valentine cocktails that caught my attention. What are you favorites?

The big news this week in Canada is that the government is preparing to make some changes to the Old Age security program. As you might imagine, it’s raised quite the ruckus. And, of course, it provides a great opportunity for you to consider your current situation, and figure out what you are counting on for the future.

Does Old Age Security need change?

Jim Yih at Retire Happy Blog takes a look at Old Age Security, and considers the possibilities of change. Are you ready for what’s next?

Is Our Old Age Security Program Sustainable?

Boomer at Boomer & Echo consider the possibility that OAS may not be sustainable, considering the numbers and determining what might be done.

Smart Ways to Invest in Yourself

At Coupon Shoebox, I take a look at how you can invest in yourself. After all, you are your best asset, and you can’t rely on anyone else like you can rely on yourself.

Planning for the Future: Are You Ready for What’s Next?

Janet at Credit, Eh takes a look at what could be coming in the future. You need to be ready to make your own plans, since what ends up happening may not be what you expect.

Personal Finance Basics: Build an Emergency Fund

Alan at Canadian Finance Blog addresses the basics of an emergency fund. This is important, since you should be your main line of defense in a financial catastrophe.

Income Security VS Job Security — Does it Matter?

Kevin at Out Of Your Rut takes a look at income security and job security. In some cases, there is a difference. And you need to figure out what you are relying on in both cases.

Want To Be Your Own Boss? Steps To Take Before Going Solo

Tisha at The Digerati Life considers the steps you need to take before striking out on your own. Get ready to count on yourself for your income!

Other Financial Posts

Here are a few more posts from around the blogosphere, dealing with finances:

• Volunteer Opportunities That Teach Valuable Skills at Cash Money Life.
• Top 5 Smartphone Shopping Apps to Help You Save Money at Money Crashers.
• Federal Income Tax Return Filing Requirements for Retirees at Moolanomy.
• The Worst Place To Lose Your Job? at THE Canadian Personal Finance Blog.
• The 401(k) Maximum Contribution Went Up This Year. Did You Bump Up Your Contributions? at Bible Money Matters.
• What is Self-Employment Tax? at Free From Broke.
• Why PayPal Freezes Or Limits Accounts And How To Prevent This From Happening To You at My Wife Quit.

Image source: Algirdas via Wikimedia Commons

Taking out a home equity line of credit (HELOC) has become a popular way to borrow. A recent survey commissioned by the TitlePLUS title insurance program showed that more than one-third (36%) of Canadians have a HELOC. This makes sense when you think about the advantages that this type of loan offers. HELOCs are flexible – you can borrow against and pay back the loan at just about any time – and they often offer low interest rates. However, this type of loan also has its drawbacks, which the TitlePLUS survey showed many Canadians may not know about.

According to the survey, which sampled 1,501 Canadians aged 18 or older in October 2011, 59% of Canadians are confident in their level of knowledge about HELOCs. But when asked to answer specific true-or-false questions about how HELOCs work, those surveyed correctly answered only 38% of the questions.

The survey showed there are 6 things many Canadians don’t know about their HELOC.

1. 57% of survey respondents didn’t know that when you take out a HELOC, the bank lending you money puts a mortgage on your home.
2. 58% didn’t know that taking out a HELOC when you already have a mortgage on your home means that the bank places a second mortgage on your home, or modifies the original mortgage to account for the loan.
3. 58% didn’t know that when you take out a HELOC, your home becomes the bank’s security for any credit card debt, other loans you have with that bank, or any other loans you have co-signed.
4. 62% didn’t know that having a HELOC could hurt your ability to take out a loan or mortgage with another financial institution.
5. 83% didn’t know that when you pay off and close your HELOC, any credit card consolidated under this line of credit may be cancelled and not available for future use.
6. 69% didn’t know that having a HELOC can negatively affect your credit rating or future loan applications.

While HELOCs can be a convenient way to borrow, keep in mind that you’re using your home as collateral. That means that while you owe money on a HELOC, the bank has a financial claim to your home. You likely won’t be able to sell or refinance your home until you’ve paid off your loan in full. If you miss payments, you could even be at risk of losing your home.

To make sure you understand how your HELOC works and what the risks are, LawPRO (the insurance company that provides TitlePLUS title insurance) advises talking to a lawyer before signing on the dotted line. And that’s something many Canadians don’t appear to be doing.

According to the TitlePLUS survey, although 55% of respondents reviewed their loan documents with a loan officer and 33% read all the fine print, only 12% talked with a lawyer before signing the agreement. A surprising 11% admitted to not reviewing any documents or seeking advice before signing.