The biggest game changer for our family budget was when we started using sinking funds and cash envelopes to better manage our money. If you don’t know what a sinking fund is, it is a fund that you contribute money to over time for a future or recurring expense such as Christmas, holidays or birthdays. It makes major expenses like car maintenance or a new washing machine, palatable because you save for it over time and have the cash when you need and don’t need to rely on a credit card.
So why fancy envelopes? When I first started using a cash budget, I used regular mail envelopes which were great at first, but did not hold up over time. Plus, they are not the most attractive thing out there.
Thanks to the wonderful world of the internet, I found a tutorial on how to make my own cash envelopes that would last, and they do. I make my cash envelopes from scrapbook paper. Specifically a 12×12 sheet of scrapbook paper that comes in a book, like this one. Couple your rewards and a Michael’s coupon, you can make cash envelopes fairly inexpensively – they are cute & they last long!
Here’s How To Make Your Own Cash Envelopes
You will need:
Laminator
laminating sheets (I use 3 mil laminating sheets)
Scrapbook paper
Paper trimmer
Start by warming up your laminator. While it warms up you can select which sheets you want to use for your envelopes. I fold the scrapbook paper in half and measure a 7″ long x 3″ tall area for my envelope and cut using my paper trimmer.
Place your envelopes in the laminating sheets – I fit 3 envelopes in one sheet. I like to line them so that the opening is facing the outside of the sheet. Run them through your laminator twice – this makes them extra strong. Cut out your envelopes leaving a decent gap between the air bubbles in the lamination and the lamination itself. On the side of the envelope that is open, cut close to the edge of the paper so it will open.
Now all that is left to do is stuff your envelopes with your cash! For more ideas on how to budget using cash envelopes, you can check out this post here. You can also see the different categories of cash envelopes and sinking funds you can make here. You can also see a more in depth view of how I budget my paychecks here on my YouTube channel, PlanningWithMorgan.
Time for the giveaway!
I love a good giveaway and I couldn’t resist giving away some cash envelopes to you guys to thank you for your support here on the blog and on YouTube. I am giving away 1 set of envelopes to 4 lucky winners! In order to win, head over to my YouTube channel PlanningWithMorgan and subscribe, along with a comment on my giveaway video letting me know how you plan on using your envelopes, which set you would prefer [since there are 4 winners, first pick will have first choice etc]. If I don’t hear from the winners within 24 hours, I will pick other winners. The giveaway will be live for 11 days and I will pick the winners on Friday 6/17/22 and is open to U.S. residents only.
Good luck & happy budgeting!!
