The envelope system finally clicked for me after years of ignoring it

I always thought the cash envelope method was old fashioned and a hassle. But after my credit card bill hit $900 over budget three months in a row, I decided to give it a real try. I grabbed five envelopes from the dollar store and labeled them for groceries, gas, eating out, fun money, and household stuff. Every payday I put exactly $60 in the fun envelope and when it was gone, it was gone. No more swiping my card and hoping for the best. The first week I actually had to leave a bookstore empty handed because my fun envelope was empty. It stung but it taught me a lesson no budgeting app ever did. Has anyone else tried this after relying on digital tracking for years? Did you stick with it?

2 comments

2 Comments

jakewilliams1d ago

Put $61 in the fun envelope next time to make the math more interesting.

skyler_fox721d ago

Ha, you trying to give us math homework on the weekends now? I barely passed algebra so I'll stick with round numbers.