How to Stick to a Weekly Budget and Get Your Takeout Too

This article is sponsored by Domino’s.

Sticking to a budget is tough, especially right now. The cost of living is bonkers and we’re in the eye of the expensive Christmas storm.

Even though we need to be extra careful with our funds right now, we also need to have some fun. It’s the end of a long year, let’s have our cake and eat it too!

Here’s how we’re planning to perfect the art of sticking to a budget while squeezing in some treats like takeout or going out on the town.

Make your budget realistic

More often than not, we set ourselves up to fail when doing a budget. We get excited by the end goal (I’m gonna be rich!!!) and cut our expenses down to the most unrealistic expectations. So, instead of aiming high and throwing the whole Excel spreadsheet out the window when you inevitably overspend, go over all your fixed and variable expenses, be honest with yourself and take into account seasonal spending to set a more achievable budget.

Do your homework

You can be savvy when treating yourself! Keep an eye out for specials, research the most affordable restaurants in your area and sign up for exclusive offers like those found in the Domino’s Wallet. Downloading the wallet gives you exclusive deals (like 40% off Traditional and Premium pizzas, or picking up a Pepperoni pizza for just $2.99!), that can save you a motza just because you took an extra five minutes to download the app.

Plan all your meals

Going to the supermarket hungry and without a plan is a recipe for disaster, so plan ahead. Order your groceries online or just pop everything into your online cart so you can track the total before you do it IRL — whatever keeps you accountable.

And, because we’re keeping this budget realistic, factor in that you will definitely order some takeaway. Even if it’s just once a week, it’s inevitable, so buffer the food budget and plan for those nights.

Use cash

I know what you’re thinking: only pensioners use cash these days, but cast your mind back to the last time you’d been given a $20 note. It took you a while to spend, didn’t it? Studies have found that handing over cash is so discomforting that it actually motivates us to spend less. Handy!

So go and withdraw some of your allocated ‘fun’ money and it might make you think twice before an impulsive purchase.

Check in weekly

We want to avoid ‘out of sight, out of mind’ with this weekly budget. Put a reminder in your calendar for just a 10-minute check-in once a week on how your budget is going. Are you over? Under? Make some adjustments and keep going. Plus, checking out your total savings each week will keep you motivated to continue growing it!

Sleep on it

For my fellow shopaholics, this rule works wonders. Get an absolute craving to purchase some new shoes at 11pm on a Tuesday? Leave the tab open on your phone and force yourself to sleep on it. Chances are you’ll either forget about it or get distracted by something else tomorrow. The mind games work, baby.

Drink water

If you’re getting close to your limit budget for the week, ditch the soft drinks and alcohol when you’re eating out or ordering in. Over summer those icy beverages can add up. Switch to the waters and cut back somewhere else next week for a sip of vino.

It can be done. You just need to plan a little to stick to your budget while still keeping your fave creature comforts. Go and enjoy a big tasty dinner!