It’s easy to say that budgeting isn’t for you. You don’t have time, you don’t have enough money, and it’s not worth the effort.

Many local families disagree: Even the simplest budget can make your life less stressful in the long run.

“All budgeting really is, is making decisions about how to spend your money. You’re basically telling your money in advance what you want it to do. Every dollar has a job, whether it is to spend, to give, or for fun,” said Dave Fisher of Lehighton, who has been budgeting with his wife, Dawn, for eight years.

“It’s actually liberating. When Dawn can go online and see what’s in our grocery budget, or how much we had allotted for clothing, it takes a lot of the stress off both of us.”

“Some people look at money as a bad thing, but it’s just a tool,” he added.

This tool can be used in many ways: To buy necessities, to pay down debt, or to plan fun things like vacation. He doesn’t think of his family as frugal. Instead, he things of them as “valuists.”

They worked hard to pay down their debt, and now budget their money so that they can enjoy the things that they value most, like travel and saving for an early retirement.

For the Fishers, making sure the next generation has the tools they need to be financially successful is almost as important as their monthly budget.

They are trying to teach their children what they need to know about spending and saving money, and helped their oldest son choose a college major that he would enjoy but would also likely lead to a secure job.

“Both Dave and I wish these things had been impressed on us when we were in high school,” said Dawn. “We’re trying to impress (on our children) the importance of being smart now, to have opportunities later.”

Michael Khater of Palmerton has also been budgeting with his family for eight years.

He likes being able to see a clear view of his family’s finances, both long-term and how small expenses affect their finances.

“It’s much more organized when you have something in front of you. It paints a good picture, with a broad or fine brush,” he said.

“It puts things into perspective and sets those priorities. It helps me through each month and each year.”

Having that organization has allowed his family to live off one income while raising three children, and for his wife to stay home for now with their youngest child.

After so many years of tracking their money, and seeing the benefits of budgeting, he enjoys the process.

“It’s like a game that you don’t know how to play in the beginning,” he said.

“Give it some time. You go from level one to level two and you own the game at the end. It’s a very effective approach to take to own your money.”