It can be easy to let your finances fall by the wayside when juggling work, family, school and other priorities. The most basic financial planning everybody should do, say experts, is to set a budget and stick to it. To help, the discount experts at Dollar General are offering some useful tips to assist you in this task and avoid financial stress.
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Pack Your Own Lunch
To help stick to your budget, skip pricey restaurants. Instead, save money and spend the evening cooking with your family. For affordable and simple ideas for cooking favorite dishes, consult resources like Dollar General Easy Meal recipes at dollargeneral.com/easymeals.
Remember to Treat Yourself
Just because you’re sticking to a financial plan doesn’t mean you can’t treat yourself. Budget time and money to indulge in your favorite activities like a night at the movies, seeing your favorite sports team in action, or going bowling.
Take Advantage of Coupons
Coupons are a great way to save money as well as stretch your budget. Retailers like Dollar General offer online digital coupons that can be downloaded on a desktop computer or by using a smartphone. You can sign up by visiting dollargeneral.com/coupons and can receive additional savings during seasonal “Fast Way to Save” promotions, where exclusive coupons are available only to Dollar General digital coupon subscribers.
Stay Positive
Don’t get bogged down by the stress of financial planning. Instead, focus on positive steps you can take to achieve your goals. Spend more time with your family cooking. Work toward your next job promotion. Ace your next exam.
Even if you’re busy, make the time for planning a budget. It may feel like work now, but feeling financially secure will offer you peace of mind. (StatePoint)
Soozle says
Ive recently needed to keep a stricter budget due to an unforseen expense in my life – I think I need to remember to treat myself occasionally as I haven’t been!
kristen visser says
staying positive is key!!! I sometimes have to remind myself of that but it makes a huge difference in your every day. Also packing your own lunch saves so much money then spending $10-$15 eating out everyday. My hubby always packs his lunch. I am trying to get into coupons. I dont hunt for them but keep them if they come my way and will be of use to me but everything makes a difference
Lynda Cook says
Great tips, I love using coupons but sometimes I spend more money on groceries because of the coupons, ugh!!
Christine Topley says
Great tips. I don’t know what else to do to budget and make the money stretch and last that little bit longer. We never dine out (unless I come across a gift card), I coupon like crazy, always buy sale items as much as we can and try to stock up, we NEVER go on the inside aisles of the grocery store, unless it’s for spices, laundry soap and toilet paper as those are essentials. After rent and bills we have $100 left to work with, try budgeting that -lol- . My Timmy’s coffee is my treat.
heidi c. says
I try every year to start out sticking to a budget and being smart about financial planning. It is hard to stick to though!
Brenda Lacourciere says
I have a hard time with a budget so some of these tips will help.
Florence Cochrane says
I keep to a budget. I don’t use as many coupons now because of having to print them at home instead of getting them in the mail.
Cheryl says
These are great tips! It’s always difficult to budget as a student.
Janet M says
I do try to use as many means as possible to stick to my budget. It is a lifestyle for me.
Elizabeth Matthiesen says
I’ve stuck to a budget most of my life, my parents didn’t have much money and they taught me if you haven’t got the cash then you can’t have it. This simple fact has meant that I’ve seldom been in debt, apart from buying a house. I also only use a credit card if I can pay it off at the end of the month. 🙂
Carole D. says
I learn at a yougn age to only spend what I have. I like to use credit card for the rewards but pay them off weekly.
SS says
Great tips. I will start using coupons
LILLIAN BROWN says
Great tips, I am a coupon user and watch my fliers for sales
kathy downey says
Great tip,i save where i can coupons,markdown items.
Julie F says
There are some great tips here, we have always been very careful with our money which is making an early retirement possible!
Karen E. Hill says
A budget is for people who have money! Those who dont fly by the seat of their pants from pay cheque to pay cheque!
michelle tremblett says
This is great, we’ve recently tighten the ship around here and are living on a stricter budget, amazing how quick you see results!
Ryan B says
Those are some good basic tips.
Kristy says
Wow, these are really easy and really helpful too!
Cheryl Grandy says
I think of my budget as a way to prioritize my spending so that I can get what is most important to me, rather than as a negative thing.
Robyn Bellefleur says
I don’t know so much of sticking to a budget, but I try all avenues to save money on my groceries and anything else I buy, as much as possible.
Tommy says
Deep thought! Thanks for cotnbiruting.