And using the envelope system for daily purchases made me very conscious of what I spent money on
What is the envelope system?
A year and a half ago, I could have eviscerated him with my thoughts. Now I can barely hurt his feelings. Things used to be so much simpler.
Anya ,'Dirty Girls'
Natter 68: Bork Bork Bork
Off-topic discussion. Wanna talk about corsets, duct tape, or physics? This is the place. Detailed discussion of any current-season TV must be whitefonted.
Amy - Jul 21, 2011 7:06:03 pm PDT #17576 of 30001
Because books.
megan walker - Jul 21, 2011 7:11:55 pm PDT #17577 of 30001
"What kind of magical sunshine and lollipop world do you live in? Because you need to be medicated."-SFist
What is the envelope system?
You put budgeted monthly cash in envelopes, say 1 for groceries, 1 for clothes, etc. Whatever your basic discretionary spending categories are. When the money is gone, your spending for the month is done for that category. I did it weekly and used paper clips to divide out things in my wallet.
Not using credit cards is a very effective budgeting tool.
Amy - Jul 21, 2011 7:24:15 pm PDT #17578 of 30001
Because books.
I love that idea. I could totally do that. Thank you, megan.
megan walker - Jul 21, 2011 7:28:25 pm PDT #17579 of 30001
"What kind of magical sunshine and lollipop world do you live in? Because you need to be medicated."-SFist
You can google for more tips. Tons of budgeting sites use the envelope system.
And, as always, I'm happy to send out a basic Excel budget template to anyone that wants it.
smonster - Jul 21, 2011 7:29:21 pm PDT #17580 of 30001
We won’t stop until everyone is gay.
I am taking the credit cards and debit card out of my wallet right now.
Money question - I had to pay deposits/installation fees for water ($125), power/gas ($150), and cable ($150). It makes sense to split those costs with my roommate, right? There's no reason for me to pay all of it by myself, is there?
Amy - Jul 21, 2011 7:32:19 pm PDT #17581 of 30001
Because books.
megan, would you send it to me? I would really appreciate it.
smonster, I'm not sure. If your name is on the lease, and she's just renting from *you*, I don't know if she would argue it. I've never been in that position, though.
megan walker - Jul 21, 2011 7:32:41 pm PDT #17582 of 30001
"What kind of magical sunshine and lollipop world do you live in? Because you need to be medicated."-SFist
I was going to say I was happy to no longer be so restrictive about my budget, and then I realized that I made vegetable broth today to use up my veggies before vacation and am eating the strained veggies for dinner, because, hey, why order food when you don't have to?
Old habits die hard.
megan walker - Jul 21, 2011 7:35:38 pm PDT #17583 of 30001
"What kind of magical sunshine and lollipop world do you live in? Because you need to be medicated."-SFist
smonster, I'd say either split them every month, or factor them into the rent. I was renting from my roommate when I first moved out here, and he basically said the rent is X, but the monthly bills add up to Y, so pay me Z each month. I liked having a set figure (especially for my newly begun budget).
smonster - Jul 21, 2011 7:36:44 pm PDT #17584 of 30001
We won’t stop until everyone is gay.
Amy, her name is going on the lease, too.
Old habits die hard.
Don't I know it.
smonster - Jul 21, 2011 7:38:33 pm PDT #17585 of 30001
We won’t stop until everyone is gay.
he basically said the rent is X, but the monthly bills add up to Y, so pay me Z each month
Problem is, since I just moved here I have no idea what the bills are going to be like.