That cash envelope system I mocked for years finally worked on my grocery budget

I always thought the cash envelope thing was for extreme couponers or people who watch too much YouTube. But last month I got tired of seeing $600 disappear on food for just me and my partner. So I pulled out $400 in cash on the 1st and split it into four weekly envelopes of $100 each. By week two I was already planning meals around what was on sale, which I never did before. The physical act of handing over bills (instead of swiping a card) made me actually think about each purchase. I ended the month with $40 left over, which I have literally never done with groceries. Has anyone else found that using cash changes how your brain works with spending?

2 comments

2 Comments

nancy_green2d ago

$600 on food for two people? That's WILD.

avery_fox932d ago

Wait, "$600 on food for two people? That's WILD." I mean, I guess it depends where you live, but that does sound insane to me. My partner and I spend maybe $350-$400 a month total, and we eat really good meals, like steak and fresh veggies. But yeah, that cash envelope thing honestly sounds like it forced you to slow down and think. I bet that physical feeling of handing over the money changes everything, like you're really giving something up instead of just tapping a card. Kind of makes me want to try it even though I thought it was dumb before.