Money Matters

Gift cards have become increasingly popular as a way to ensure that you give family and friends their hearts’ desires. You can stay within budget while dodging an endless search for the perfect keepsake; as a recipient, you avoid the inconvenience of a duplicate gift or the wrong size.

How They Operate

As commerce has migrated from stone-and-mortar stores to the internet, traditional gift cards have expanded to digital versions. Now you can purchase a gift card online, followed by the store emailing a digital card to both the giver and the receiver. In addition to vouchers tied to a single enterprise, there are also generic cards that function as a debit card, redeemable in a wide variety of places in the world as well as online.

Documentation Saves Time and Money

Since gift cards work the same as cash, it’s imperative to archive their purchase and use. Save a copy of the card’s code in your email, plus print a copy. If the total amount of the gift is not used immediately, keep any receipts to track spending. When shopping online, file all your emails: orders, receipts, tracking numbers, and card updates. Problems are unlikely, but if there is one, it will be easier to resolve if you have information handy.

Buyer Beware

There are times a store will close before you have the chance to redeem your voucher; contact them as soon as possible to confirm if you can use the gift card or redeem it in another fashion. Check if another enterprise has acquired the store from which the card originated; often they will honor the card.

Worst Case Scenarios

As with other digital information, gift cards can be subject to fraudulent activity. Scammers will remove cards from available displays and electronically or physically copy the card number before activation. Upon activation, they can immediately use the number to make purchases. When the intended recipient uses the card, the account is already depleted. To avoid this rip off, only purchase cards from a clerk, not from publicly available racks.

Even more common are online auctions that offer discounted cards; these are often invalid because of theft or prior use. Only purchase gift cards at the issuing store or from a website starting with https://, an indication that it is secure. Some stores offer card registration so you can discover fraudulent use faster.

However, don’t settle for disappointment if you discover that your gift card is worthless. The Solicitors Guru website can connect you with a professional to advise on your next step.

Opponents of gift cards argue that you’ve chosen the most impersonal of presents. However, you can still put effort into choosing a card that matches the interests of the recipient, be it for books, sports, fine dining, movies, travel…the possibilities are limited only by your imagination. The majority of time Gift cards work smoothly. But in the event of a problem, check with a family law solicitor to explore your options and legal remedies to make sure your benefactor intended.

Isn’t it every person’s dream to barely spend any money on groceries? Although eating is a must, it sure can get expensive to feed a family. Most people are usually told to use coupons to save on groceries, while that is helpful, it’s not always the easiest thing to do.

Saving money on groceries doesn’t have to involve coupon cutting, there are other ways to save. Like the following:

Cheaper Brands

For most Americans, it doesn’t occur to them to simply buy the cheaper brands. Sure, it doesn’t always taste like the name brand, but if you are trying to save money on groceries, you don’t always have a choice. Cheaper brands are typically the first to go on sale too because grocers can buy these items in bulk and help save their customers even more money.

Shop at Aldi

People, if you have an Aldi near you, you have to shop there at least once. It’s a grocery store unlike any other place in the America. You can get so many things super cheap; it’s amazing. Sure, some of the items are a little off, but you can save so much money. Aldi is awesome with saving because they make you do all the hard work to help you save. You bag your own groceries, push your own cart up to the store, and you even have to buy your own bags. There’s no convenience about shopping at Aldi, but it’s cheap, which can help you save money on groceries.

Start Meal Planning

One reason many Americans are not saving money on their weekly grocery bill is they have no plan of action. They are basically walking into a store without a plan. Meal planning will save you money and lots of it. Knowing what you are eating on a daily basis not only keeps you from overspending on groceries, but also keeps you from eating out constantly.

Buy in Bulk

Now, this isn’t a way for everyone to save money on groceries, but for many it is. Simply buying in bulk, helps you to get more product for your money. Bulk often means you save because you bought a ton together. Stores like Costco are notorious for their items that they sell in bulk. Perhaps buying your non-grocery items in bulk can help you lower your overall grocery bill.

Stick to Your Budget

And last, but not least—the most common sense way to save money on your groceries is to stick to your budget. Don’t go crazy on buying groceries and stick as closely to your budget as you possibly can.

When it comes to saving money on groceries, these tips can work wonders. What tips do you have for saving money on groceries? 

 

 

 

If your budget didn’t do too well in 2015, it may be time to revamp the family’s schedule in 2016. There are so many things you can do differently that can help make your budget successful this year. Revamping the family’s budget can be a relief for the entire clan when something goes wrong or something needs purchased. Make sure you check out these tips for revamping your family’s budget for 2016.

How to Revamp the Family’s Budget for 2016

Know the Facts

When it comes to making a family budget; it’s always better when you know what is coming in and what is coming out. Track your spending for a while to see what is getting spent. After you have a running total of what is getting spent, it is much easier to create a budget. A budget is essentially made up of how much money is coming in and how much money is going out.

Business Meeting

I would encourage you to have a business meeting with your spouse at least once a month. A business meeting can help your family come up with real financial goals. You can decide what goes into the budget and what gets tossed out. Let’s face it; no budget can have every single thing the family wants in it; some things may need tossed.

Everything Needs Budgeted

When it comes to revamping the family’s budget for 2016, keep in mind that everything needs to be put into the budget. If your kids are into sports, you’ll want to budget this. If your family is taking a trip somewhere, this will also need to be put into the budget.

Learn to Say No

Maybe what made your budget fail in 2015 was the fact that you said yes to everything. Make it a point in 2016 to say no to some things. Your child doesn’t need everything they want. Think about it, kids can live without some things they want and so can some adults.

Make Improvements When Needed

The best thing about budgets is that you can rework them when needed. Even if you have a family budget set for 2016, you can always improve it. Making improvements is always a good thing, it means you’re learning as you go. No one is perfect with their budget, but progress is great.

Revamping your budget is a good move to make this year. I’d love to hear your tips on how to revamp the family budget this year.

If you live in the south, you know that snow almost never comes this way. This week, there was a winter storm threat in Georgia and everyone in the state went crazy trying to prepare for it. Everyone else was out stocking up on bread and milk and I’m over here stocking up on SCOTT® Extra Soft Bath Tissue Bath Tissue, and SCOTT® Choose-A-Sheet Paper Towels, Mega Roll 6 Pack (Bonus 15% Sheets)! Let’s be honest no one wants to run out of toilet paper or paper towels, especially in our house.

We’ve been using SCOTT® Extra Soft Bath Tissue for about a year now and it’s the only toilet paper that everyone agrees on in this household. I also love the feedback I have gotten from my guest members; they absolutely love it. We know that when we run into a great product at a great price, it’s best to stick with that product and brand because they never disappoint.

We Love SCOTT® Products

Luckily, I’ve been using Digital Coupons from Dollar General, so I was easily able to stock up on all of my favorite SCOTT® products. This week, my youngest daughter signed up to do the science fair, so I needed a never ending supply of SCOTT® Choose-A-Sheet Paper Towels, I stocked up and got the Mega Roll 6 Pack (Bonus 15% Sheets). Luckily, I Won’t be running out of those for a while, even after we completed her science fair project.

Sign up for Dollar General Digital Coupons

If you want to sign up for Digital Coupons for your local Dollar General, it’s so easy. Matter-of-fact, the first time I did it, I was blown away that it only took a few minutes. In my opinion, it’s always worth saving a few bucks if it only takes you a few minutes. Here are the super easy steps to redeem digital coupons.

To redeem Digital Coupons:
1. Sign up at Create account and load which coupons you would like to use
3. Visit your local Dollar General to redeem coupons at checkout. Find a Dollar General near you by using the store locator.
Right now at Dollar General, you can pick up SCOTT® Bonus Packs! I always stock up when they offer this deal because you can get a lot of product at a great value.

Here are the three SCOTT® Bonus Packs you can find at Dollar General.
• SCOTT® 1000 Bath Tissue, 16 pack (2 Free Rolls)
• SCOTT® Choose-A-Sheet Paper Towels, Mega Roll 6 Pack (Bonus 15% Sheets)
• SCOTT® Extra Soft Bath Tissue, Double Roll 16 pack (2 Free Rolls)

In my family, we’re doing a Secret Santa this year. I got pretty excited about this because this holiday is one of my favorites. The only issue is that the Secret Santa this year had to be something silly. You see, I’m too practical to be silly, so I had to think really hard about this.

It just so happens that my family is coming into town for the holidays and I needed to grab some toiletries. When I grab toiletries, it’s always SCOTT® from Dollar General, I never buy anything else and there’s several reasons why. SCOTT® 1000 Bath Tissue is a great value and their SCOTT® Extra Soft Tissue is so soft and plush. Let’s not forget the SCOTT® paper towels that leave the surfaces in my home dry!

Okay fast forward and it’s time for the Secret Santa, only I forgot to run to the store for this. Instead I had just done my SCOTT® from Dollar General run! Guess what I’m giving my Secret Santa for the holidays? You guessed it, SCOTT® brand toilet paper and paper towels.

I mean who wouldn’t love these? I bought the file online and made these fast little gifts in no time. I also decided to give them unopened packs of Scott products to take home and use or make their own silly gifts!

While I was shopping at Dollar General, I noticed there were awesome coupons available! You can save majorly on SCOTT® Towels and Bath Tissue with DG Digital Coupons. You can sign up for digital coupons from Dollar General and go shopping at your local store.  Signing up for Dollar General’s Digital Coupon site is easy and can be done in a few quick steps below:

To redeem Digital Coupons:
1. Sign up at or visit the DG App.
2. Create account and load which SCOTT® coupons you would like to use
3. Visit your local Dollar General to redeem coupons at checkout. Find a Dollar General near you by using the store locator:

Digital Coupon Offers: Valid – December 6 to December 31
Save $1.00 off any (1) SCOTT® Paper Towels
Save $0.50 off any (1) SCOTT® Extra Soft Bath Tissue
Save $1.00 off any (1) SCOTT® 1000 Bath Tissue

Bonus Packs: Find 3 special SCOTT® Bonus Packs in-store through the end of February 2016.
• SCOTT® 1000 Bath Tissue, 16 pack (2 Free Rolls)
• SCOTT® Choose-A-Sheet Paper Towels, Mega Roll 6 Pack (Bonus 15% Sheets)

SCOTT® Extra Soft Bath Tissue, Double Roll 16 pack (2 Free Rolls)

SCOTT® is a no-frills, affordable and premium paper brand that wants to help you cut through the clutter when purchasing for your family. SCOTT® is the simple and reliable choice that will always deliver on what you are expecting.

 

So be sure to go stock up now and don’t forget to load your coupons!