The envelope system felt dumb until I actually tried it for groceries last month

I was always laughing at people using cash envelopes, then I blew my food budget by $80 in one week and figured why not. First month in and I came in $45 under budget - anyone else have a stupid simple trick they swore would never work?

3 comments

3 Comments

jamie_adams16d ago

Wait, you actually came in $45 under? That's wild. I always figured that cash thing would just make me feel broke and anxious, not actually save me money. How did you even do it? Was it just the physical act of handing over cash that made you think twice? I might actually give this a shot for gas money next month, see if it keeps me from filling up on impulse.

the_fiona16d ago

Honestly, that cash thing is weirdly psychological. Like, I remember one time I tried it with my grocery budget and ended up with fifteen bucks left over at the end of the month. So I figured I'd treat myself to a fancy coffee, you know? But when I actually pulled out that cash to pay, I just froze. I ended up putting it back in my wallet and buying a bag of apples instead. Ngl, I think it's something about watching the money physically leave your hand that makes you really feel the loss, not just swipe a card.

max22316d ago

Yeah @the_fiona is right, it makes you actually feel the money leaving instead of just a number on a screen.