Envelope categories?

**Ashley01** · 01-12-2011, 08:13 AM

Right now my categories are:
Rent
Groceries
Work out
Misc
Eat out
Clothes
Out/sitter
Car

I feel like I have way to many and it's not working well for me so im going to have to switch it around. I like the car/clothes/out and sitter because I just put the money in and if I don't spend it I'm going to carry it over. Groceries doesn't work great for me because say I take out 80 each week, one week I may spend 100 and the next 60 so I end up using my debit some. I think I need to combine eat out/misc into one and just have a set amount for them both.

**hotprincesscm** · 01-12-2011, 09:23 AM

Wow...I have a bunch of envelopes compared to everyone else on here...but it works for me...I have:

~Electric Bill
~Student Loans
~Emergency Fund
~Savings
~Cable Bill
~Car Insurance
~Cell Phone
~Telephone
~Rent
~Xmas 2011
~DS Savings
~DS Savings
~Credit Cards
~Change Jar/Vacation Fund

I also used to have one for my car payment, when I had a car payment...thankfully my car is paid off and no longer have that envelope!

**sunshine** · 01-12-2011, 10:21 AM

Originally Posted by hotprincesscm

Wow...I have a bunch of envelopes compared to everyone else on here...but it works for me...I have:

~Electric Bill
~Student Loans
~Emergency Fund
~Savings
~Cable Bill
~Car Insurance
~Cell Phone
~Telephone
~Rent
~Xmas 2011
~DS Savings
~DS Savings
~Credit Cards
~Change Jar/Vacation Fund

I also used to have one for my car payment, when I had a car payment...thankfully my car is paid off and no longer have that envelope!

I only use envelopes for the things I pay in cash -- and things like my electric, cell phone, mortgage, etc. I pay with a check. Those are part of our budget, but not part of our envelope system. KWIM?

**hotprincesscm** · 01-12-2011, 10:29 AM

Yeah that makes sense....I do have cash in all envelopes and deposite it in the bank when it's time to pay the bill...I pay all bills with a check....but don't keep the money in my checking account...It helps me keep track of things better...since half of my income is in cash tips...I come home every day with cash and I divide it up between the envelopes.

**cheles2kids** · 01-24-2011, 08:10 PM

I thought I'd add another idea for those of who are tired of using just plain envelopes...I went to Dollar General and bought several of those pencils pouches, you know the ones I'm talking about that you can buy for around $1.00 each with the zippers?

They are super cheap and I went with the larger sized ones for home use, they have 3 rings & I keep them in a 3 ring binder, very handy!

**cheles2kids** · 01-24-2011, 08:14 PM

Originally Posted by sunshine

I only use envelopes for the things I pay in cash -- and things like my electric, cell phone, mortgage, etc. I pay with a check. Those are part of our budget, but not part of our envelope system. KWIM?

This is how I do mine as well, for the most part I have automatic payments set up for most of my monthly living expenses, with the exception of 2 bills. Everything else is paid for with cash.

**meredith1629** · 01-24-2011, 11:08 PM

Grocery
Restaurants
Gasoline
Oil Change
Entertainment/Blow Money
Toiletries/Cosmetics
Pets
Clothes
Shoes
Misc.
Hair Cuts/Brow Wax
Gifts
Prescriptions

**waterbaby77** · 01-27-2011, 08:52 PM

I have: Groceries/Household
Restaurants/Entertainment
Clothing
Gifts
Pets
Cabs
Cigarettes

Originally, I had separate envelopes for groceries and household, and restaurants and entertainment, but there was so much trading between the envelopes that it made sense to combine those categories.

I am still working out the kinks but I do like paying cash for several reasons. Merchants like it because it saves them processing fees. Waitstaff love being tipped in cash rather than debit or credit. And I have been able to cut my restaurant/entertainment budget in half since I started this (my biggest problem area).