**I know that this post is from 2014 but this is still the current system I use and it's 2018 now! **
Back by popular demand... I already gave you a brief overview of my Filofax Budget Envelope System here but if you are following my guide to being on a budget then I totally understand why everyone has asked for more photos of my envelope system.
At the bottom of this post I have links to where you can find the items like I use to make your own envelope system.
So without further ado, here ya go!
What I Use: Filofax Temperly personal size
I used to use a plastic expanding file for coupons and that worked just fine too!
Inside there are 3 pockets and a zip pouch, which I don't use.
You can find a Filofax Temperly here or other Filofax's that zip up here. There are other similar options here and here.
The first pocket: Loyalty Cards & Gift Cards
Here I keep my loyalty cards, gift cards, and sometimes a grocery list!
The Second Pocket: Coupons
I keep a selection of coupons here and I make sure I purge them every week when they expire.
The Third Pouch: Expense Log and Deposit Log
I keep my expense log and deposit log for each envelope category in this pocket. This makes it easy for me to track my spending and how much I have in each category.
I made some in Word and Excel which is what you can do simply by copying my layout but you can also search the internet for them on other blogs like this one.
The Envelopes
I got these from ebay. You can find them online on the Dayrunner website here. I used a label maker to put the name of each category on the front of the envelopes.
And at the very end is my little cheat sheet for how much to take out on payday for each category. This makes it super easy when I stop at the ATM on the way into work.
Q: What do you do with any cash that's left in a category at the end of the month?
A: It's all up to you. Some people roll it over into the next month (I do this so it acts as a mini savings fund for each category).
A: It's all up to you. Some people roll it over into the next month (I do this so it acts as a mini savings fund for each category).
Others will take the extra and distribute it into other categories.
And other people use what's left in a specific category to act as the next deposit. That way you take out less cash on your next payday.
Q: What if you are short in a category and need the money for an emergency?
A: This is a great question. I'll use the example of the Vet fund. Say that one of my chihuahuas gets sick and needs an emergency vet check up. The bill ends up being $100 but I only have $50 in my Vet fund. There are 2 options.
Option 1 is to use that $50 and then take another $50 from your emergency savings fund (see this post.)
Option 2 and some people use what's left in another category (like the Car fund) to pay the difference and then they make sure that from their next paycheck they put the money back.
A: This is a great question. I'll use the example of the Vet fund. Say that one of my chihuahuas gets sick and needs an emergency vet check up. The bill ends up being $100 but I only have $50 in my Vet fund. There are 2 options.
Option 1 is to use that $50 and then take another $50 from your emergency savings fund (see this post.)
Option 2 and some people use what's left in another category (like the Car fund) to pay the difference and then they make sure that from their next paycheck they put the money back.
Q: What happens if my envelopes get too full?
A: Just take the cash out and put them into paper envelopes that go in a safe in your home. This way you don't have to worry if your purse gets stolen and you won't have such a stuffed envelope sytem.
A: Just take the cash out and put them into paper envelopes that go in a safe in your home. This way you don't have to worry if your purse gets stolen and you won't have such a stuffed envelope sytem.
So Any Other Questions?

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Holy moly, I'm envious of your organization!! You may have inspired me to get a little system going of my own... :) So nice meeting you!
ReplyDeleteYay I'm so glad you enjoy and I inspired you! Nice to meet you as well!
ReplyDeleteThis is so awesome! Like Mandy, I am super envious of your organization!!! I've tried a time or two to get this budgeting system down .. you've definitely inspired me to look into a wallet like this!! Thank you!!
ReplyDeleteI hope you find one you like! :) Thanks for reading and glad you enjoyed the post :)
DeleteYnab (www.youneedabudget.com) does basicly the same thing but without having to physically carry cash everywhere.
Deleteso neat! You are so organized!
ReplyDeletexo,
Jacqueline
stylininstlouis.com
Wow this is pretty cool!! Thank you for sharing :)
ReplyDeletehttp://neatly-packaged.blogspot.com/
I'm impressed! I think I will have to give this, or some version of it, a try. I keep thinking that I'll get more organized as I get older, but it never happens! Time to make a real effort!
ReplyDeletePolished Portland
I totally understand. trust me, once u do this though youll be on a roll and its easy to maintain!
DeleteSo I am loving this - However - on the Filofax website I am not seeing a zippered personal size?
ReplyDeletethe UK website has it , or check ebay. Also, their Spring 2014 line will be out on the US site soon!
DeleteWe use to follow this similar cash only method to pay bills while in the Navy for 20 years. But ours was just in separate envelopes and kept in a locked box in the freezer. But it really did help to not over spend, use credit cards, and seemed to have extra left. You always think twice before reaching for cash verses swiping a card thats out of mind out of sight. Our bills now have lessened over the years but we need to get back to this same helpful solution. I carry a bill marker in my purse, so I can mark cash to see if they are counterfeit. Especially during a my own yard sale, at a yard sale,flea market, big events , ATM bank tellers. etc. Unfortunately that problem does exist. Love your organized method, thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteHi, i really love this idea. Is there a way this system could help us get ahead ? We have fallen behind due to my husbands heart issues and I'm getting super stressed and trying to keep us afloat .
ReplyDeleteCan this system be used to help get my family back on track ? We have fallen behind due to some heart issues my husband has had over the past year . I feel like there's no light at the end of the tunnel.
ReplyDeleteI love using the cash envelope system so much I decided to make some of my own envelopes. The printable is available for £1 (unlimited prints) on Etsy https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/SavingScotts?ref=search_shop_redirect
ReplyDeleteThat is so awesome. I have been thinking a lot about this post. Right now my biggest question so far is where did you get your personal Filofax? I love the layout with the pockets and well the whole thing. It looks to save with the zipper nothing can fall out.
ReplyDeleteI got mine on the Filofax website. you can look on there or look on ebay or amazon to find ones that zip ... hope that helps :)
DeleteThanks Ellen I just received my budget Filofax today. So excited Thanks
ReplyDeleteThat's so exciting. Keep me updated on your progress!
DeleteDo you have a link for the envelopes you purchased on ebay? I cannot find them anywhere!! I just ordered my ikat temperly in pink on amazon!!!
ReplyDeleteHey girl!! i hope u see this comment. i would just search for "plastic zip envelopes"
DeleteIts been 3 months so far. It is so hard but I wish I had done this 19 years ago. Thanks again Ellen
ReplyDeleteYou are welcome yay !
DeleteWhat do you do when your spouse needs to access the cash..but you have the budger wallet? Or what do you do if you are budgeting for both a husband and wife but need access to the same envelopes?
ReplyDeleteHey! Great post! Any idea where to get those zip envelopes for cheaper than $4 for 1?? I want to get a big pack of them!
ReplyDeleteHey thanks Mike! Just keep looking around on places like ebay or amazon till you find a deal!
Delete