A Budget? What's that?

Since I was a tiny little kid, I have been practicing the Dave Ramsey cash flow system. My parents had 3 envelopes for each child- one each for tithe, savings, and spending. When we received our allowance at the end of the week, we had to immediately put 10% in our tithing and 10% in our savings, and then we could use the rest towards spending.  This is all I had ever known.

When I got my first job, a bank account, and a debit card, things changed! I really didn't save much and I had minimal bills to pay. I spent most of it, but I have always been aware of how much I have and where it goes. When I got married and bought a house and had LOTS of bills, things changed again.

My husband and I sat down to discuss budgeting, and I told him that I had always done a cash budget, so we agreed that it was the best way for me to manage my money! Basically what I do: every 2 weeks when the paycheck(s) come in, I take out a certain amount of cash to divide between a few envelopes. My envelopes are grocery, pets, home, dates, personal, and travel.  Some people cash budget everything- including gas, bills, gifts, etc. and when the money is gone, it's gone. My husband, on the other hand, LOVES using his credit card to gain points (we can turn them into cash 1-2 times a year), but he pays it off every month. Because we have had to create our own credit card/cash system, we decided to do all bills and gas on the cards.

I purchased a wallet from the Dave Ramsey website to help me to budget and keep my envelopes in good shape and close by. Here is the wallet I have used for a few years.

 It's been a great wallet, but it was nothing special. I had to replace the envelopes a couple times, it didn't stay closed really well (no snap or velcro), and it was just sort of boring. Then one day, I came across this beauty on Pinterest (which connected to Etsy)....

I was in heaven loooking at this! When I clicked on the link and visited the website, I found something even better! So I kept it in the back of my mind and asked for this wallet for my birthday a few months later since it was a little expensive. Now picture my husband: a number counting, budgeting-loving man, and his wife asked for a BUDGETING wallet for her birthday. I don't think he has ever been more attracted to me :). Here is the beauty I chose!

Cute Cute Cute!

Can you see the little tabs to the right? I use a Vis a Vis marker to write my titles!

I liked this wallet the best because all of the envelopes are sewn into the wallet making it a little smaller than the first one. It also has a pocket on the bottom and behind the envelopes, so it can hold change, my checkbook (yes, I carry one!), or anything else! It has lots of space for cards, and I love the fact that I could throw it in the washer when it gets yucky. It is a little larger than any wallet I have owned before, BUT I could easily put my keys and phone in a pocket, close it up, and use it as a CLUTCH! Which I do often since my purse is mainly a diaper bag :).

I also didn't want to deal with Velcro- I preferred the button closure. I LOVE this wallet! Am I better at budgeting with it? Eh, maybe. But as I say to my husband on months where I "accidentally" overspend a bit, "some months the budget just doesn't work". That's actually crap- it's just my excuse!

Visit this awesome Etsy site and pick one up- especially if you are already a believer in the cash flow system. And if you're not, explore the link at the top of the post to learn about it! I'm bummed because she has added new designs since I purchased mine- and I really love the new teal and brown one and the new pink one!!!!

Besides our mortgage (and a few months of unexpected baby bills and paying off a car), we have been able to live DEBT FREE for our entire marriage! Man, that feels good to not deal with that fight! It's worth it. Give it a try!