Wednesday, October 28th – Wednesday, November 12th
Let’s face it, sticking to your budget is one of the hardest things when it comes to budgeting. It’s easy to get caught up with overspending, bill due dates, and income circumstances. If you are on a tight budget or have limited income, there is only one budgeting method that I recommend.
The cash envelope system is a budgeting system that I have used and it’s the only reason I was able to take back control of my spending. So how does the cash envelope method work?
Let’s assume you get paid 2 times a month for a total take home income of $1,000. You budget $500/month for your groceries. When you get paid with your first paycheck of the month, you go to the bank and withdrawal $250, and put that cash in an envelope and label it “groceries”.
The ONLY thing that you can spend that cash on is grocery items. This is where you need to have discipline. If you go to the store after work and realize that you don’t have your envelope, go to your house and get it. If you spend $251 in one grocery trip, you have to put something back because you don’t have that much cash in your envelope.
There is no cheating by using your debit card or telling yourself you will do better next month. This is it. This is your chance to really get a handle on your money.
You repeat this process for your second paycheck of the month. That will total $500/month for your grocery budget.
Repeat this process for all major categories in your budget such as gas, dining out, clothing, beauty, misc, etc.
The number one question I get when it comes to using the cash envelope method is what envelopes to use and how to organize them.
Today, I wanted to share an awesome resource as well as an opportunity for your to get it for FREE.
I am always on the hunt for fun, practical ways to make budgeting easier and I found it with the Spend Well Budgeting System.
The Spend Well Budgeting System is designed specifically for the cash envelope method. It’s a way for you to organize your cash in a simple, fun way so you can start sticking to your budget. As soon as I received it in the mail, I was blown away by the additional resources the budgeting system came with. Here is what I got when I received the Spend Well Budgeting System:
- A fun, decorative cash envelope binder that includes 10 heavy-duty pages that gives you 20 sturdy card stock folders to store your cash.
- Each envelope folder includes 16 lines to track your spending as well as additional transaction stickers to use.
- Monthly Bill Tracker which allows you to record your bills for the month so you can keep track of when they are due and the amount you need to pay for each.
- Total Debt Owed Worksheet so you can record all of your debt in one place.
- Debt Payoff Worksheet which allows you to track your progress as you begin to pay off debt.
- Printable Budget Worksheet or Excel Budget Template so that you can use it to set up a budget and start using the cash envelope method right away.
HOW TO USE THE SPEND WELL BUDGETING BINDER
The first thing you need to do is set up and create a budget. Use the provided budget worksheet to create a simple monthly budget so you know which categories you need to have in your envelope binder. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to create a budget to help you get started.
Once you have all of your expenses figured out, you have to go to the bank and pull out the amount of cash that is needed to cover the expenses in your budget. For example, if you get paid monthly and you have budgeted $400 for food, then that’s the amount you need to pull out in cash to place in your card stock folders in the envelope binder. Do this for all categories in your budget that you would like to pay cash for.
Once your envelope binder is filled with your spending cash, you need to keep track of your spending on the transaction cards for each folder. This will allow you to see very quickly how much money you have left to spend for each category.
Refill your envelope every month and keep track of your spending a long the way.
Make sure to check out other great printables on the Carrie Elle website today! (check out her shopping list printables – they are adorable and super handy!)
GIVEAWAY DETAILS
When I was looking for my first blog giveaway, this budgeting system was really a no-brainer. The giveaway starts on Wednesday, September 28th and runs until Wednesday, October 12th.
3 WAYS TO ENTER:
1. Leave a comment down below explaining why you need the Spend Well Budgeting System (+ 1 point)
2. Visit and like our Facebook page (+ 2 points)
3. Follow us on Twitter (+ 1 point)
To enter the contest, see the box below!
YOU CAN PURCHASE THE SPEND WELL BUDGETING SYSTEM HERE.
I need the Budgeting System because the grocery and household categories are where I always go off budget. Keeping those categories plus a few others as cash would really help.
I need it to pay down debt and purchase a home Tracking my spending will give me better control over where my money is going.
Amaaaaaazing giveaway. I’ve had my eye on Carrie Elle’s cash envelope system since I first read her blog entitled, “the planners I can’t live without.” I’ve read so much about this cash envelope system that I went ahead and created my own envelopes out of construction paper until I can afford an official one from Carrie Elle, one that would really help me get a head start on not only spending my cash wisely, but also have a system that would help me keep track of my debt and spending habits. I really want it because it’s a planner/binder I’ve had my eye on since I first read about it so I would really like to experience the greatness it has to offer. Thank you for such a thoughtful giveaway 🙂
I need help. Just starting this budget thing
I actually have been trying to do the budget system but have not been able to master it. I need extra help haha
I am a single mom just started the cash budget system always seems that am messing up some where. This may help me to do it right. I am trying to be debit free plus save for a better place to live for my family. It’s not going well.
This would be great for me!
My husband is in medical school and I work full time so I am always looking for ways to help me save so that we can pay off his tuition with minimal loans. This book looks great and I would love to give it a try. Crossing my fingers!
I’m a single mom of 6 doing it all on my own. I need a budgeting system that is fool-proof and easy to follow. The Spend Well system is exactly what I’ve been looking for, unfortunately it’s just not in the budget (excuse the pun) would love to try this
I need to start budgeting and keeping track of our expense.
I could very well use the budget system to help with my needs of paying bills off, i currently use the system right now but i use just plain envelopes. I am currently falling off the deep end and could use the help. I have 2 jobs and i just had to drop my classes due to not having the funds. I wanted to say that i would never have to go through a hard time, but this is it right now… Very hard.
-Meg
I need this system to help save for not only our child’s future but for a house!
My hubby and I got ourselves in pver our heads with debt. Each time we had an emergency fund, it always got spent and never replenished. We now have credit card debt, loans, car payment and then some. It feels overwhelming and we can use all the help we can get!
We need a this budgeting system because we have tried over and over and I feel like since I’m not organized, we can never follow our budget and get out of debt.
I need this to help me with my budgeting. I am so busy and bad at keeping up with a budget.
Great tips, I love your emails, and your posts are so inspiring!
I need this system because I need help being held accountable for my spending.
I really need a good budgeting system, I can never find one that really works for me.
I really need a good budgeting system, I can never find one that really works for me I keep changing budgets.
We are getting started and I think this would help
I need the budgeting system because I am on a limited income. I have to be more careful with my spending so the money goes towards planned spending.
I need the Spend Well Budgeting System because…. I am tired of living paycheck to paycheck. I have student loans, plus my husband is returning to school and we really don’t want to become more loan debt. We want to be able to enjoy life without constant worry of finances. I feel like this is a system I could use, heck, we both could, and finally be able to live life without the stresses of finances.
We recently were hit with unexpected medical bills then two job changes which resulted in half the pay we were receiving. If I wasn’t budgeting correctly before, I really need to do it now.
Such a great idea, so excited for the drawing and hope I win it. If not I’m thinking I will still need to buy this to really get the finances under control. Thank you!!!
I need to get more organized and serious with my budget ESPECIALLY with the holidays coming up to accomplish the goal I set at graduation to pay off my student loans by Dec 2016 (about a year and a half after graduating)
I became a stay at home mom last year and we are still trying to adjust to one income. From all my research the cash envelope system is the best budget to accomplish this! To keep me motivated to stick with a budget I think I really need the spend well budgeting system!
Love this! I am not following the cash envelope system fully YET but we are doing much better than we were a few months ago! This would help tremendously, I think. Looks amazing!
Recently moved from overseas back to the states. The expenses of setting up a household again just keep popping up!!! I need help organizing my finances/budget so my family can have breathing room again.
I am desperate to get a budget. With being on disability, I have to really use funds carefully. I like how this s setup, and believe it would be beneficial for my family.
Thank you
Of a family of 4 with one income It a very difficult way for me to just pay bills as I see them, leave me with nothing for anything for me for two weeks. I work hard and I really want to budget our finance. This will give me that ‘comfort’ know where all my money is going and how fast it’s going. I really could use this to its full advantage.
I have tried the evermore system before, abs it works really well. I’m just not organized with to do it long term. Having something like this would really help. My son just started working as well, and we want to teach him to be financially responsible, and to do that, we have to start doing better ourselves. Thank you.
It’s wofnurdel to have you on our side, haha!
We farm for a living and money is always so tight. I WANT to get out debt so we do t have to worry so much in the winter months when nothing is coming in.
I TOTALLY need this to help me spend less! I hate budgeting and this seems like a seamless way to help me get back on track! PLUS! its super cute!
I need the budgeting system because it’s so pretty! We already follow an envelope system, but it’s messy and could use some revamping!
I need the Budgeting System to help me organize my budget better because it is a constant struggle for me. It’s also pretty too!
I desperately need a budgeting system as we always end up behind on something because too much gets spent on something else. This will definitely help my husband and I get and stay on track with our finances.
Looks like a great way to manage my money and get strted on a cash only system.
I love this idea, and I suck at budgeting needing to be better!
I have come to the conclusion that I need to conquer the chaos and get myself organized in so many different facets of my life, especially BUDGETING! I love the looks of this spending well envelope system and would totally use it. I’m glad it’s not bulky and could easily be carried in a purse. Please consider me for the giveaway??
I need this because it would allow me to see where my money is going. Even now I couldn’t tell you half of the things my money goes on
I would like to buy one of these, how can I buy one. mcavnar44@gmail.com or (832)5895950
Thank you, Marilyn Cavnar
Hello Marilyn. You can buy one directly through the link in the article or here: http://shop.carrieelle.com/#_l_2k
I have been trying to figure out a good way to get my expenses straightened out and everything in one place, and this would make it easy to do and stick to it. It would be so nice to have control again. Every time I think I have it under control, bam! something happens.
I think the better way to avoid an overspending is don’t buy thing you don’t need. You have to practice discipline and you have to comprehend utility of each product that you’re going buy.
I am bad at budgeting. I would love to keep track of the money I can spend and the money I shouldn’t spend. I would really love this organizer. It would help me keep track and be organized. The best part is that I will save money for retirement. Whoever came up with this idea is a genius. I really want it.
I need the budgeting System because my husband & myself have trouble keeping within a budget. I believe this will help us get on track once and for all.
I need to get my budget back on track.
I would love to have this binder due to my busy schedule. I used to be on top of everything and now I’m a hot mess.. Help!
I need this budgeting system because I am trying to turn my finances around and get out of debt. I just need to be able to see exactly where I can maybe save a few dollars, whether it be in groceries, gas, or other expenses.
Due to work hours being cut for my husbnd and I . I would like to try a better way to budget all our household expenses and to manage our finances better.
Oh!!!! We love Dave
I would benefit greatly with this budgeting system. The last 2 weeks have been extremely tight financially from selling clothes to resale & other things to generate income to make until payday
This would help me greatly
I need the system because I don’t have much practice or experience budgeting. I’m recently married and together, my husband and I would like to save for our lives together.
We just paid of all our CC debt and need to figure out how to live debt free!!!
I really need to try this! My husband gets paid monthly and I get paid biweekly. I need to learn to budget it!!
I am starting over. I lost my job and apartment 2 years ago, and have finally found a decent job again. I am relocating for it as well. I love my new job, but money is going to be VERY tight for awhile. To which every dollar counts. I need to be On budget every minute, I think this system would help me do so!! Thanks! 🙂
Hi! Since getting married in 2014, we have added two little ones to our family (one born July 7, 2015 & the other born July 5, 2016!). We started our own business a month before we found out we were expecting our first. Since then, we have had to close the business due to our finances. Even with both my husband and I working full time, we can’t seem to get a handle on our budget. We use a private sitter instead of a daycare, which helps to save hundreds, but we still can’t seem to get a handle on things. One thing that we have discussed trying was the envelope system. If I had a way to keep the money organized in a way that made me feel successful at it, such as the budget binder described here, I truly believe that we could start making headway on our budget. (side note- the only debt we have is my student loans, so it’s not that we’re just making poor choices and endebting ourselves in irresponsible ways). We are wanting to start saving to buy our first home, we will need a new vehicle in a handful of years and we would like to start saving for our kids college.
I appreciate your consideration. I really think the budget binder would be the push that would help get us moving in the right direction.
Thank You.
I’ve always loved the envelope idea with budgeting money. I’ve strayed away from it, & need help getting my $ on track. This system seems to have everything you’d need.
Im just coming across this information on my Pintrist page. I desperately need this system. I’ve been researching other organizers and systems but they were either too complicated or too expensive!
This is awesome! I am a single mother and budgeting is getting harder now that my son is in Jr. High and getting involved in more extra cirricular activities. This would help me keep track of everything better and know exactly how much money I have at any given time!!
I really need this. I’m on a limited budget and sometimes forget a bill that needed to be paid! Oops!
Too bad it’s over. Know where I can get a cheap cash folder?
Omg! I sooo need this as I’m trying to take care of a household of six! One toddler, one husband, me, one 16 yr old, one 18 yr old and an uncle. ?
I need this because I have a make shift one that I made. Yours is sooo great, I didn’t know that anyone else actually literally put the cash they need aside physically into an area set aside for the items in that category. Right now I use envelope. Please pick me. I will show everyone I know. 🙂
This would be a tremendous help. I am recently widowed with a 12 year old and trying to balance everything out is difficult. My is always asking for this or for that and I can never figure out if I have enough for it…..do I have enough for the mortgage, car payment, groceries, incidentals, etc….. I’m trying to get on top of everything and I believe this would be a wonderful way to do it.
Buying a new home need to stay on a monthly budget to live a happy healthy life with my family
The spend well system will help me greatly. I am currently getting divorced and have a two year old. On top of that i am a Graduate student who has a hard time balancing school and work.
I have recently separated and now a single mom of 2 beautiful daughters, and my income is limited. I have got a 2nd job now and really need to budget my expenses better.
I have attempted a cash only budget, but carrying several loose envelops with money is difficult and unsafe. I would often find myself “borrowing” money from other envelops because I would leave one at home. To be honest, I would never replace it. This binder would fit in my purse to make this process happen. I just need a little help.
I really need this! We are retired, living on a tight budget. I am so afraid we cannot plan our Social Security if things don’t turn around. Things are looking bleak right now. Thank you.
I need a system like this in the worst way. I’m doing a terrible job now with my spending.
Hi. I really need help with budgeting. As a single mom recently relocated and taking a higher pay cut, it feels like it’s not enough money to maintain… Help!
I am new to the envelope budget system. This looks like an awesome way to stay on track.
Need to pay off lots of debt, and learn how to save money to pay off outmr house.
Hello there! I love your article especially because of how relatable it is to my own life! I’ve done the cash system for a bit before and it helped a lot! Not only do I need to get better at budgeting for the normal everyday life needs like groceries and paying college loans, but I also am engaged so that means i need to stick to my budget even more now! The Spend Well Budgeting system would really help me save money with the cash system for sure! Thank you again for the article!
This system would really help our family right now. We have a 2 month old and I am not currently working. We are solely living on my husband’s income right now. So budgeting is key to getting by for us!
My husband and I just got married. We are looking forward to starting a family but our financial situation is what is stopping us. We are determined to get things under control in the new year and this would for sure help us.
Starting tomorrow I’m going to emplacement this concept. Thanks
I would love to win this package because I need help sticking with my budget. I know I do better using cash only, but the convenience of cards has swallowed me up! Having this set would be extremely helpful so I can help myself visualize my budget.
I feel so overwhelmed when it comes to doing a budget. My husband works while I stay home with ours kids. We have sufficient for our needs, but we don’t have any sort of savings. I want to work on budgeting our money each month so we can put some away to have for a rainy day.
I would love this binder to help keep our finances in line and limit unnecessary spending. This would help us see where our money is going and live within our means. We could eliminate our debt with a budget and start paying on my school loans.
This is amazing. I have bought Dave Ramsey budget envelope and wasn’t able to track all my expenses on the envelope (too small for me) and then I failed to follow through and now I am desperate financial help. I was looking at other options & came across yours!! ♥ it.
I have no self control. Spending is my middle name. I try and just a little here and a little more there and then TROUBLE….. that’s why I’d like to try your way to get myself undercontrol and on a budget.
I have been wanting to try this system and I think this is a very easy and stylish way to implement it. I would live to have this book!
We need the budgeting system because our financial life has changed drastically. My husband is out of work and I’m working a small part time job in the mean time while he looks for work. Even after he gets a new job we will be struggling because we have gotten far behind on our bills.
I need help budgeting now that my husband and I are sharing money and bills. I’ve always been able to have a little money left over each month but now I am pulling from our savings and I’d like to find out why.
Great giveaway!!!
This is so great! I wish I would have found this sooner. I’m a college student working two jobs just to pay all my bills. I constantly try the envelope system, but there is always some fall back. I can’t carry around a sturdy enough envelope that fits in my purse. This would help so much with staying organized and being able to start paying off my student debts. Sucj an awesome giveaway that could help so many different people.
My husband and I need the Spend Well Budgeting System because we are working to get rid of most, or all, of our debt before I go back to school in March. This system will help prepare us for budgeting successfully with one income while I am in school.
I am 25 years old and looking to become financially stable and even savvy. I never really learned a good system growing up, all I knew is we were always just scraping by. Finances were never talked about in my house.
This seems like a great opportunity to gain some resources and a built in system.
I need the spend well budgeting binder because we need help staying track with our monthly budget with food and bills. We seem to always get off track and I’m tired of it. I would love try this!
Ok I really need this! Two kids on college can sucks the life out of me! Help!
Love this system! I’m constantly going through envelopes. This would be more economical, CUTE, & convenient! Great idea!
I need this Binder because this year my husband and I are going to take charge of our expenses …. we are tired of debt controlling us. We would also like to show our sons and their wives now how to get control and establish good budgeting techniques. I need a budget plan that is doable and tools that are easy to use. Your Binder looks like just the tool
Paula ….
I need this budget spiral because I’m starting college soon, 4.5 hours away from home. I want to be able to ease the burden of my parents by being able to manage my own money since I’ll be so far away! Thank you very much
I need this really really bad to keep myself organized and on budget. It seems like I go over every time I go to the store and this would be perfect for me to stay on top of our spending.
What a wonderful idea and beautiful planner to execute your budget. Definitely looking into creating this for my home.
Me and my fiancé just moved out on our own and have had no luck in saving any money. We are paying our bills late. We need to learn to save money.
I need to find a fun and easy way to stick to my almost nothing of a fixed income budget. Im horrible and in desperate need. Please help.
I need the spend well budget system because I just declared bankruptsy and I don’t want to fall back into bad habits and make the same mistakes again.
I desperately need this to help my family please.
I would love a spend well budget .. my hubby and i wanna get a budget going but want a easy way to do it ..
Would love a system for my budget! Looks really cool 🙂
How do you buy this?
You can find it here Lisa http://shop.carrieelle.com/#_l_2k
I think is wise and mature what you are doing. Helping others take charge on their finance seems to still be a struggle for most out there. Financial clutter can sickened someone as much as getting the flu, in my opinion. The feeling of relief when your numbers are aligned is something you cannot buy. This discipline is something we all should cherish as a lifestyle. God bless you!
Thank you so much Yahel!
I need the Spend Well Budgeting System because with my husband in school and a toddler underfoot it feels like we can never get a hold of out debit. We want to buy a house somedayand we need to save the most money possible not paying off debit. I want to be more organized with our money and to actually follow a budget. I am most successful when I write things down instead of looking at a program on a computer. This budgeting system looks like something that can be beneficial and something I can stick with!
Bc we are living paycheck to paycheck and we need more structure
Wow I hope you still have extra. I just saw this today. Thanks for making difference in people’s lives. God bless the works of your hands.
How do I just buy one?
Hello, Jolene. You can purchase one here:
http://shop.carrieelle.com/#_l_2k
I am desperate to learn to budget. At 39 years old I’ve NEVER had a budget.
I need this!! I’m a single mama and always looking for ways to make the dollar last longer and this seems like a great solution. Trying to get myself back into good habits and save money to pay off debts. Thanks for the suggestion. Even if I don’t win, I’ll be getting this anyway! Thank you!
I need to start on a budget just lost my job
This is exactly what I need! I’ve been using my own twist on the envelope method and found that I wasn’t keeping track of what I was spending as well even though I had my set amounts and everything. The fact that the binder has where you can put your expenes underneath the category and that everything is together is so much more helpful. I’ve been carrying all my envelopes in my planner kinda like a second wallet… Having his would be great!! 😄
Just found this in Pinterest. I have a question … are the card stock folders dry erase? Pro a sly a stupid question … but how are they reusable? Do you just have to use pencil?
I love this ! I am a young professional, and have a lot of student debt. I have been working for a few years now and while I’ve made a budget and have made a small dent in my loans it has not
Been much. I have a goal of completing all my payments within ten years…I would love to
He debt free. I usually try and stay on budget but I is hard especially in the grocery and home items part. I would love a system that helps me stay on budget and channel some of that money to paying mor eoff my loans !
I am a 63 year old woman. I live alone am on SSD which is my only income. I only receive $1000.00 a month and my rent alone is $600.00! I get $80.00 a month in food stamps. I am having a lot of trouble making ends meet and need help with budgeting. I need advice. I am very overwhelmed and depressed about my situation.
I have been a cash girl for some time but keeping it organized is a challenge. I would love to win this!
Wow! What I could do with this budget planner! It would be a total life xhanger. I did visit and like your Facebook page, but that account is under a my husbands email(gaslivesaas5613@gmail.com) I could actually start saving money my family so desperately needs everyday. We’ve never even had a fily vacation with our daughter, Riley(7yo), and son, Geo(3yo). I would be so grateful and thankful to use this planner system. Thanks so much. Bless you and have a wonderful day.
Alanna Carroll
George Shell
Great article. Very Inspiring.
I need this binder because my envelopes are falling apart and it’s not very oraganized in my purse!
I need a budgeting system because my credit card bills are out of control. I also never keep a concept of what I spend!
How do you determine how much should be spent in each category? How much is appropriate for groceries if you want organic vs conventional?
Dana, the first thing I would do is look at your past bank statements. This should give you a rough estimate on how much you are spending in each category. Once you have an estimate on how much you are spending in each category, try cutting that value by 10% for your budgeting values. Remember, it’s important to keep things realistic. For the past 3 months, if you spent $500 on food, don’t try cutting that value to $100 because that is an unrealistic value. This will only lead to failed attempts and frustration.
To want to order one of your budget
Manuals. How or where can I order
Anna, which budget tool are you interested in?
My family could really benefit from this tool, we got sick in a major financial rut that has caused us to move in with family while we struggle get on top of things. I can see how this would be extremely useful for us.
We both lost our jobs in the last 7 years, we have jobs now but they pay half of what we are use to and we have cresit card debit. I would love to win this.
I love and need the Spend Well Budgeting System! I have tried to do thd envelope system before, but struggled with the how to of it all. This system is just the tight size to carry and its fun looking to keep me motivated!
I need to start budgeting my money and keep track of where I spend my money
I love the budget mom!!! I’m a 28 year new wife and mom, and I recently started to take our budget more seriously. I would love to win the budget planner wired book. I’m totally in love with the system!
I’m late! I just realized 😓 However I still love the budget mom! Thanks for the great reads
I need this to get on track and save, also to teach my children to budget &save.
I think That this is such a generous offer first off , I need this because to be able to visually looking at my down falls of spending is really a great for someone like me and to have accountability for what I am spending, will (I believe )HELP Me more then I can on my own. Thank You for such a great offer , Good luck to us all in more whys then one . Donna
Because I am horrible at budgeting….I need help…my mother in law was going to teach us but unfortunately she passed beforehand.
Since I recently became physically disabled we have lost a big chunk of our income. I am using a budget book, but do feel this method would help us a great deal more.. I have gone ahead and posted your system on my facebook page so that my friends and relatives have access to it as well. It can open ones eyes to where their money is going and we are all in this together.
Thanks Sue!
I definitely need this budgeting system because I so badly want to learn how to budget properly so I can save more money and follow through with it. My biggest problem is spending more money than I anticipated but spending it anyways because I just swipe my card and know it’s there then wonder where all my money went. This way I could be more responsible with my money and save more money.
Hi. I found your Spend Well envelope system on pinterest!!! I had a stroke and can no longer work full time. I need to budget to get my medical bills and credit cards paid off. I really think this would help me. It said something about getting it free possibly, but I don’t now where that information is. It also says that the ones fro $25.00 are all sold out..?? Can you please help me???
Jodie masseymama@yahoo.com
I need the bidgeting system because im just starting to make a budget and paying off debt. Im not sure where to all start so any little thing will be a big help. I already kinda do the only taking out so much for certain things so this would help me stay organized
Is there a discount for you planner (which I love!) for 2017. It is June and I would like to start but I would like to have a discount.