My grocery bill used to be a total mystery until I started using a cash envelope system.

For years, I'd just swipe my card at the store and hope for the best, often hitting $200 a week without knowing how. About three months ago, I saw a video online about using physical cash for food, so I took out $150 in twenties and put it in an envelope. Now, when the envelope is empty, I'm done shopping for the week, and it forces me to plan meals around what's on sale. Has anyone else tried this method and found a good way to handle the leftover change?

2 comments

2 Comments

briancampbell7d ago

My wife and I just toss the leftover coins into a jar for our yearly pizza night.

wesley1397d ago

My buddy tried the envelope thing and got so annoyed with the loose change. He started rounding up every purchase in a little notebook, like if something was $18.40 he'd mark it as $19. That extra virtual change built up over the month and he used it for a treat, kind of like @briancampbell's pizza jar idea but with pretend money. It kept his envelope neat and still gave him that bonus cash feeling. He said it made sticking to the cash limit way easier mentally.