Envelope Spending System made cute and easy!

WARNING:  Story to go with this project!  : D

This past year I attended a Dave Ramsey "Financial Peace University" through the church we attended at the time.  See for years, and I mean "YEARS" I have been a misuser of money.  At 18 I did it with checks, thinking the money wasn't out if the checks weren't out!  (DUMB!)  I had to go with my Mom and fix all my financial mistakes and that was embarrassing.  You would have thought it was so embarrassing I would have learned my lesson...well no I didn't.  I figured that since I was terrified of checks now, which I no longer used...that debit cards were safer.  Again incredibly DUMB on my part!  My Mom who is incredibly responsible with her finances and set a great example of budgeting, tried to counsel me through numerous financial budgeting books...all of which I don't even think I opened once!  (Sorry Mom if your reading this)  So after years of having a shopping addiction which included a daily routine of hitting a variety of stores such as Target, Walmart, Ross (every one in a 10 mile radius), Joanns, Michaels, etc...  Since my oldest son Corbyn was born this had been my routine.  It didn't matter if I spent $1 or $100, if I "SPENT" I felt good for the day.  I never bought expensive things, the most expensive thing I've bought besides furniture is my $58 jeans from Torrid, and even then I say ouch!  But even though I wasn't buying high dollar ticket items it still very much added up to probably spending close to $50 - $100 a day.  And when your swiping a debit card that doesn't hurt until you see the bank statement!

We are incredibly blessed that my husband has a great job that provides a stable income for our family and allows me the opportunity to stay home with the kiddo's.  My hubby has always been the saver, and I'm the spender!  My spending was causing so many battles on a daily basis.  And every time we "discussed" my horrible spending habits I knew I was wrong and couldn't even begin to explain why I was doing it.  Still to this day I don't understand why.  So when our church at the time advertised this guy name Dave Ramsey and that they were going to be holding a group session of his "Financial Peace University" I felt my heart tugging.  I knew I should be a part of that class.  I am so blessed that my Mom as a gift purchased the class kit and encouraged me to go.  Never in all my adult years did I stick to a "budget", which is quite frankly a word that freaks me out.  This class was different, it was exciting and fun and completely SIMPLE.  At first when I planned our bi-weekly budgets based off the hubby's salary I almost fainted (not really, but I was dramatic to say the least).  : D I was going from spending whatever I wanted (which was depleting our savings) to having a budgeted allowance of $100 for two weeks people!  Man all I can say is the first month was super hard.  After that it became so much easier, and now it's really not so bad.  The grocery and other budgets didn't bother me, it was just the allowance part. 

Luckily we have never incurred any other debt between my husband and myself other than our home loans.  We've never had credit cards, thank goodness.  No car loans, always paid cash for those anyways.  So we already ahead of the game in Dave Ramsey's program of paying off debt.  We or I mostly needed this program to train myself in spending.  When we have cash in hand it hurts to spend it, and I see and feel that now.  I certainly have weeks where my allowance is gone by the next payday, but I don't spend anything other than that.  We are still using debit cards for certain things of course, we have medical costs monthly and other miscellaneous activities we use that for.  For us that works.  I have days where I slip and take the kids to Taco Bell and splurge, but I am by no means in the same position spending wise I was a year ago.  I am incredibly proud of myself.  And I highly recommend Dave Ramsey's books and programs to EVERYONE!  This sounds so cliche but if I can do it, anyone can do it!

This is the envelope system I use.  I don't like actual envelopes, too much time getting money in and out and a pain to me.  So I found a wallet that had a couple different sections and made my own system.  It's super easy and inexpensive, you probably have all the stuff at home now to make your own.

Here's What You'll Need:

- Card stock in awesome patterns
- Paper cutter or scissors
- Glue stick or tape runner
- Good wallet (Ross always has the best and cheapest!)

STEP #1

Figure out how many sections you will need.  I have 5 - groceries, allowance, gas, extra, and a spot for receipts and coupons.  You may want to have a take-out section, or activities section.  Then cut a starter piece of card stock to the size of your wallet section.  Now use that a template to cut as many dividers as you'll need.

  

STEP #2

Either print out on your computer labels for each section, or on a coordinating solid color paper write out your labels and cut out.

STEP #3

Now put your wallet together and start saving and spending responsibly!

  

So how many of you follow Dave Ramsey's program?  And send in your photo's of your cute custom envelope systems!  Good luck!

P.S.  Dave Ramsey's program will be the best money you ever spend!