3 On Your Side: Valentine's Spending To Average $142

By Jim Donovan

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- A new survey finds Americans will spend a whopping $18.9 billion dollars on Valentine's Day gifts for loved ones this year. 3 On Your Side Consumer Reporter Jim Donovan looks at Valentine's Day based on the numbers.

The National Retail Federation finds shoppers will spend on average $142.31 dollars on Valentine's Day gifts this year, that's an increase of more than $8 from last year.

53.2 % People plan to buy candy.

37.8 % Will order or pick up flowers

35.1 % Expect to arrange a special evening out.

21.1 % May purchase jewelry.

Men plan to spend on average $190.53 while the survey finds women will shell out $96.58. With adults 25 to 34 outspending other age groups, forking out on average $213 bucks.

Finally, a record one in five of us will include Fluffy and Fido in Valentine's Day plans, spending an average $5.28 on a pet gift. While that doesn't sound like a like of money -- that comes out to be around $703 million dollars when you look at how many people have pets.