costsmorethanspace:

What costs about the same as space exploration? Valentine’s Day.

According to the National Retail Federation, by the time the clock strikes midnight tonight, Americans will have spent a total of $17.3 billion celebrating Valentine’s Day. The most common ways to celebrate are with cards (51.2% of celebrators) and candy (48.7%), followed by flowers (37.3%), an evening out (37%), and jewelry (19%). 14% of gift-givers will give gift cards (some of which, presumably, don’t get used).

In Fiscal Year 2014, NASA’s full budget will be $17.6 billion. That’s equivalent to one Valentine’s Day plus an extra 25 minutes or so of bonus Valentine’s Day celebrating.

Happy Valentine’s Day to all of my lovely readers. Thanks for spreading the word about this site, and for your kind words of support and encouragement!