Cash Envelope Living

It's Friday...payday.  I am determined that bank living (using checks and debit cards) is done.  Why?  I'm sick of the fees, sick of not feeling in control of my money, sick of it all.  Unfortunately, my husband's job requires a bank account to direct deposit paychecks.  So...I'll swallow the $1.50 fee every month for my husband's checks to be deposited.  

I dealt with the bills and then went to get groceries.  I stopped by the ATM first to get out cash from my bank account.  I sorted the money quickly into preplanned pockets in my "envelope". 

My Dollar Tree Envelope Holder

I bought my envelope a couple of years ago at a Dollar Tree.  It's actually, I believe, a coupon holder.  I have two of them, and they are wonderful.  I know there are fancier ones, but they cost money.  Mine are already purchased, were cheap anyway, and sturdier than paper envelopes.

After I sorted the money to the appropriate pockets, I went shopping.  It is very different than how I have been shopping.  First, the calculator on my phone was in strict use.  I knew that I only had a certain amount of cash, and it had to go to the most important items.

Ordinarily, when using my debit card, I would not have sorted my money this way.  This is a sad statement to how poorly I have been stewarding my family's finances.  I would have mentally known how much I could spend...maybe... And then bought what I thought I needed.  I wouldn't have kept a strict running total.  I wouldn't have asked myself if an item was truly needed, or was just a want.  I would have purchased things such as a snack and a drink (soda or coffee) "for the drive", even though I was only 20 minutes from home.  I would have spent too much, and then regretted it later.  I would have been frustrated with myself, and stressed out, as I had to cut short the gas money or tithe money.  Then we would be in a bind.  

This didn't happen every week, but it did cause a lot of unnecessary troubles and stress.  Cash living isn't easy, but it sure is better for me if it forces me to be strict with myself and my family about our money.  

I have spent a lot of time praying about our finances.  I feel that God expects His children to do whatever they have to do to be good stewards of what He gives them. When we aren't, there are consequences.  I used to live simply, and had much less stress.  I feel God wants me to go back to the simple ways that worked.  We'll take this financial adventure a day at a time.