My sister called my grocery budget 'chaotic' after seeing my $400 receipt for random stuff, so I switched to a cash envelope system for food last month.

I now take out $75 in cash every Sunday and that's all I can spend, which forced me to plan meals and cut my grocery bill by almost half.

3 comments

3 Comments

wadem896d ago

That cash system sounds like a huge pain to manage week after week. I tried it once and spent more time stressing over exact change than actually saving money. Having to go to the ATM every single Sunday is just adding another annoying chore to your life. Digital budgets are way easier because you can track everything instantly and adjust on the fly. The old way might have been chaotic, but at least it was flexible when you needed something last minute.

nancynguyen5d ago

I mean, the ATM thing is a real hassle, but I just get cash back at the grocery store checkout when I do my big shop. It saves the extra trip. The real benefit for me was how the physical cash made me stop and think before buying random snacks, which my card never did. I guess the stress of counting change is the point, it forces you to feel the spending.

rosebarnes5d ago

That "stress of counting change" is the whole point, wadem89, it makes you feel the money leaving.