Cash Stuffing for Beginners
Did you know that cash envelopes can save you money (and have fun doing it). There are cash stuffing videos all over TikTok and YouTube. I’m not sure why they call it cash stuffing. I guess that just sounds more fun, hmmm?
Are you tired of feeling like you’re constantly broke, even though you’re earning a decent salary? Do you struggle with overspending and impulse purchases? Me too. Many of us face similar challenges when it comes to managing our finances.
But fear not, my friends! There’s a simple and fun solution to help you save money and regain control of your spending habits and that would be cash envelopes! The point is that your brain just automatically views cash spending differently from plastic spending.
In this post, I’ll show you how to get started with cash envelopes, and how they can help you improve your finances.
What is Cash Stuffing?
It’s a fun and creative way to save money using cash envelopes for budgeting throughout your pay period. The idea is simple: you divide your budget into different categories (like groceries, entertainment, travel, etc.), and assign each category an envelope filled with cash. The rule is you can’t use plastic for these items, only cash. This way, you only spend what you have in each envelope, and avoid overspending or impulse purchases.
Why Use Cash Envelopes?
Cash envelopes have several benefits over other forms of payment, such as credit cards or digital payments.
First and foremost, they help you avoid the pesky problem of overspending. When you only have a set amount of cash in each envelope, you’re forced to prioritize your purchases and make conscious decisions about where your money goes.
Second, cash envelopes are great for tracking your expenses and accountability. You can easily see how much money you’ve spent in each category, and adjust your budget accordingly. And if you overspend in one category, you’ll need to borrow the cash from other categories.
Third, using cash envelopes can be a fun and rewarding experience. It’s like a game – how much money can you save this month? Plus, through the course of the pay period, it’s a tangible reminder of the how much more you have left to spend.
How to Get Started with Cash Stuffing
Now that you’re convinced of the benefits of cash envelopes, let’s talk about how to get started. Here are some simple steps:
Step 1: Assess Your Budget The first step is to assess your budget and figure out how much money you can allocate to each category. Take a look at your income, expenses, and savings goals, and create a realistic budget that works for you.
Step 2: Choose Your Categories Next, choose the categories you want to include in your cash envelopes. Typically these are categories where you tend to waste money, like coffee, eating out, buying clothes, or optional things like manicures. You can customize your categories based on your own priorities and spending habits.
Step 3: Assign Your Envelopes Once you have your categories, it’s time to assign your envelopes. You can buy pre-made cash envelopes, or make your own using regular envelopes and labels. Write the name of each category on its respective envelope, and fill it with cash according to your budget.
Step 4: Use Your Envelopes Now comes the fun part: using your cash envelopes! Take your envelopes with you when you go shopping or out to eat, and only spend what you have in each envelope. If you run out of cash, you can either go without, or borrow from another envelope (but make sure to keep track of it!).
Here are a few of my favorite choices for wallets to carry your cash envelopes around while you go shopping.
Nautica Money Manager RFID Wallet
Frienda 11 piece cash wallet with dividers
Tips for Successful Cash Stuffing
Here are some tips for doing this cash thing like a boss:
- Be disciplined – stick to your budget and only spend what you have in each envelope.
- Stay organized – keep track of your expenses and adjust your budget as needed.
- Be flexible – if you overspend in one category, cut back in another to make up for it.
- Make it fun – challenge yourself to save more each month, and reward yourself when you hit your goals.
- Involve your family – get your spouse and kids on board with stuffing the envelopes, and make it a family activity.
Conclusion: Switching to cash spending is a simple and effective way to manage your money and have fun doing it. By taking control of your spending habits and sticking to a budget, you can save money and achieve your financial goals.
So why not give cash stuffing a try? You might be surprised at how much money you can save (and how much fun you can have!)
