Last year I shared my all time favorite budgeting technique (You can see it here). Since January I have been asked multiple times a week if there were new budgeting envelopes … Sorry! I’m here today to make it up to you, I promise.
Not only have I created 2016 – 2017 budgeting envelopes, but I have improved them, big time!
Welcome to the new Budgeting Envelopes!
I received a lot of questions and frustrations from readers saying that
“their printers would not print on envelopes – or they could not figure it out – or that they were not aligned.”
I agree, that would be really frustrating!
Solution – I made these so that they are printed right onto card-stock (or printer paper). It takes just less than 60 seconds to fold and secure your own envelope. I figure if I can make customized envelopes for our wedding, and the boys birthday invitations – I certainly can put in the effort and make them exactly how I wanted for our finances! I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again – keeping a budget, and getting out of debt is a lot of work.
Bonus- Writing on card-stock is a lot nicer than writing on the standard envelopes! Whoo-hoo.
Start by printing your envelopes on 8.5 x 11 Paper, we just purchased and are loving the Kodak Verite printer!. Then…
- Cut out your envelope shape. Just follow the dotted line.
- Score your lines. Just flip your envelope over, and using a ruler and nail clippers (Use the little attachment meant to clean under your nails) score the paper to make folding easier. It will also ensure a crisper result!
- Fold over your scored lines
- Run the ruler over your folded edges to make them nice and crisp
- Using a glue stick run a line of glue on the bottom fold (NOT the one that has the month printed on it
- Fold over your left and right sides and stick them to the glue
- Using a small piece of tape; tape the two sides together (close to the top of the envelope
- All done!
“I wish there was a way to make the overall look of the envelope prettier”
Solution- Me Too! I am so much more likely to stick with a system (of any kind) when it is not only functional but also really pretty. I combined the two to not only make it more functional, and ensure that it stays organized and neat – but I also make it color coded, and prettier. Yay!
“Life happens, and no matter how hard we try unexpected expenses occur. How can I use this envelope to track those expenses, too?”
Solution- I added a small grid on the back side of the budgeting envelopes, just for the unexpected expenses. In the first column add the day of the month the expense occurred, the second column is for the expense itself, and the third column is for the amount.
Still not 100% sure how to use these envelopes to keep your budget in check? Well, you can see this post I did last year that has a link to a video explaining the whole thing, just click here.
The short overview is:
- I set my weekly budgets (because dealing with finances on a weekly basis versus monthly basis is so much easier!
- As I spend money on groceries and “extras” I immediately (As in right there in the store, while I am checking out) write the initial of the store in the box, and the amount spent on the line directly to the right of the initial.
- When they hand me the receipt I slip it into the envelope, and go on my way.
*These budgeting envelopes are an amazing way to track your spending – and are also amazing for spouses. When you are having your weekly maintenance meeting, you can grab your envelope and have an immediate update on your finances.
*I only mark on the envelope money that comes right from our bank account. If I am spending cash I do not mark it – since it should have already been marked when I got it from the ATM or as “cash back” with a previous purchase.
*I also do not mark down gift cards… but all receipts go into the envelope.
Click To Download your Envelopes!!
Not sure how much you should be spending for your categories? or are you interested in finally getting your finances in order and get out of debt once and for all? Sign-up for my Soon-to-Be Debt Free E-Course and START TODAY!
Are you going to be adding envelopes that go through the rest of the year? Pretty please????? These are my favorite budgeting tool that I’ve found. Thanks for all your work!
Your Budgeting Envelopes are amazing! Do you have printable one for 2018 or are you able to change these? Thank you
I love your budget envelopes. The design and color are GREAT! Is it possible to get them undated? Just the month at the top. On the sides Week 1 – Week 5. That way they can be reprinted yearly and no worries about year or dates.