Friday, July 18, 2008

Gettin' Dave Ramseyfied!

My husband and I have been taking a class for the last few weeks - Financial Peace University by Dave Ramsey. Mr. Ramsey has lots of great ideas, and we are doing really well with our Baby Steps! I have been really amazed how many people are out there blogging about Dave Ramsey, living frugally, etc! It's been great! Here are a few of my favorites:

Simple Mom
Frugal Dad
Small Notebook

One of the parts of the budgeting plan is to use an "Envelope System" - basically, you put cash into envelopes at the beginning of the month to spend on certain things. The thinking is that this keeps you on budget - if the cash isn't there, you can't spend it - and keeps you from reaching for a credit card (which Dave Ramsey never uses - ever, ever, ever!!)! For us, we are using the envelopes for Food, Household needs (Target runs!), Entertainment and Blow Money (I haven't had a Starbucks in a couple of weeks now because I don't want to get into my blow money!)

I know, this is a crafy blog - what's all this financial nonsense?? Well, I just COULD NOT put my money in plain white, boring envelopes! I couldn't do it!! So I made this:
I came up with a kind of "wallet" template, and used this pretty SEI double sided paper to make it! My measurements were based on the SU open ended envelopes that I put on the inside. The whole thing closed with ribbon and 3 velcro closures. Don't you think the the A Muse Shopping Gal is appropriate?

There are 4 tabs across the top, made with the SU tab punch. So, the envelopes are made, now I just have to work on staying on the budget!

15 comments:

Anonymous said...

Wow, Tisha! What a great idea to use a cute handmade envelope. That makes it so much more fun.

Anonymous said...

Thanks for including Frugal Dad amongst your favorite sites! I'm honored to have you as a reader!

Michelle Clark said...

Your envelopes make budgeting so much more fun. Thanks for the info.

Sarah said...

I see a tutorial/template in your future, woman. It's so fabulous and best of all PRETTY ... you're a genius!

Anonymous said...

What a cute idea! I work for Dave so I'm glad to hear that you are on board with his program. It will change your life!

On one of my co workers blog he has been highlighting some of the employees...you should check it out it will give you a little more insight into our company.
http://www.christhomas.tv/

Anonymous said...

Love it! You should totally sell those. I'd want some, though I'm not sure how my hubby would feel. ;)

Anonymous said...

What a great idea!!! With the economy the way it is right now this sounds like a pretty good idea. I know Leon and I have been talking about going on a budget.

I would love to see a tutorial on this!!!

Anonymous said...

This is awesome Tisha! Thanks for the inspiration!! :)

Anonymous said...

Just clickin' over from Small Notebook...

That envelope is awesome. You've inspired me to get creative with my own envelopes!!!

Anonymous said...

hello.

i live in massachusetts and would love to purchase one of these budgeting envelopes systems from you. i could pay either through paypal or through a check.

if you are interested, please contact me at cep@stuntz.org.

many thanks.
christine

letterstoelijah said...

Wow, you make budgeting look so pretty :)

Heather said...

LOVE IT. It looks sturdier than a plain white envelope too. Spilling my money all over my purse or the floor is the reason I always go back to the debit card.

Anonymous said...

Tisha,
I have bookmarked your site.
Thanks for sharing.
Alicia McMahon

Sharon said...

Tisha,
I want one!!! How awesome! Any directions on how to make my own?
Sharon

Beck C said...

Hiya - where do you get the scallop circle and plain circle punches from? Beck from NZ