21 Cash Envelope Templates for Your Budgeting Needs (2024)

Debt Management

ByFreya Laskowski

You have probably heard of thecash envelope budgeting systemif you have read enough budgeting articles and personal finance websites. It is one of the most well-known budgeting techniques and one of the easiest.

To get started you are going to needa cash envelope template pdfwhich is what the article will help you with.

I consider it to be a variant of thezero-sum budget since it works on the principle of giving every dollar a job.

When you are using thecash envelope budgeting system, you will decide what each category of your expenses is allowed to spend in advance.

Some of the links below are affiliate links and I may earn a commission if you buy something using them.

How does cash envelope budgeting work?

To break it down for you, here is what acash envelope systemlooks like in 4 steps:

  • You create a list of categories of all of your household expenses. This list will include stuff like transportation, miscellaneous costs, personal spending, etc.
  • You create a zero-based budget where you assign a certain amount to each category. So, for example, $300 for dining out.
  • You use cash envelopes (this post has some of the best cash envelope template pdf options) to store the money for each category so that you have to take out money from that category’s envelope every time you need to buy something or pay for something. So, for example, now that you have budgeted $300 for the dining out category, you will add $300 in your dining out cash envelope every time your paycheck comes in.
  • At the end of the month, you take anything that is left or extra and put it back into your savings account.

The cash envelope system forces you to keep track of your finances and maintain a budgeting system so that you can save a certain amount of time. While it can be frustrating and hard, the cash envelope budgeting system definitely pays off in the long run.

It is perfect for people who struggle to keep to their budget since it forces you to stay on track.

Cash Envelope Template pdf Options

When you are just starting out with cash envelope budgeting, it seems like the only think up for offer are a pack of white office envelopes that simply do not do the trick. Asimple budget envelope template pdfcan make it far easier to sort through the madness and keep track of your financial goals.

Unfortunately, good ones aren’t easy to come by.

This list is full of some of my favoritemoney envelope template pdfoptions that you can digitally download from Etsy. All of the options on this list are below $8 with most of them being less than $5.

Etsy is a platform that houses independent sellers which means your money will be supporting small businesses as well.

21 Cash Envelope Templates That You Can Download Now

You can click on any one of the options below to be taken directly to the Etsy store

#1 Top Pick

21 Cash Envelope Templates for Your Budgeting Needs (1)

Image viaEtsy

#2

21 Cash Envelope Templates for Your Budgeting Needs (2)

Image viaEtsy

#3

21 Cash Envelope Templates for Your Budgeting Needs (3)

Image viaEtsy

#4

21 Cash Envelope Templates for Your Budgeting Needs (4)

Image via Etsy

#5

21 Cash Envelope Templates for Your Budgeting Needs (5)

Image viaEtsy

#6

21 Cash Envelope Templates for Your Budgeting Needs (6)

Image viaEtsy

#7

21 Cash Envelope Templates for Your Budgeting Needs (7)

Image viaEtsy

#8

21 Cash Envelope Templates for Your Budgeting Needs (8)

Image viaEtsy

#9

21 Cash Envelope Templates for Your Budgeting Needs (9)

Image viaEtsy

#10

21 Cash Envelope Templates for Your Budgeting Needs (10)

Image viaEtsy

Related Post: 9Easy Ways To Payoff Debt

#11

21 Cash Envelope Templates for Your Budgeting Needs (11)

Image viaEtsy

#12

21 Cash Envelope Templates for Your Budgeting Needs (12)

Image viaEtsy

#13

21 Cash Envelope Templates for Your Budgeting Needs (13)

Image viaEtsy

#14

21 Cash Envelope Templates for Your Budgeting Needs (14)

Image viaEtsy

#15

21 Cash Envelope Templates for Your Budgeting Needs (15)

Image viaEtsy

#16

21 Cash Envelope Templates for Your Budgeting Needs (16)

Image viaEtsy

#17

21 Cash Envelope Templates for Your Budgeting Needs (17)

Image viaEtsy

#18

21 Cash Envelope Templates for Your Budgeting Needs (18)

Image viaEtsy

#19

21 Cash Envelope Templates for Your Budgeting Needs (19)

Image viaEtsy

#20

21 Cash Envelope Templates for Your Budgeting Needs (20)

Image viaEtsy

#21

21 Cash Envelope Templates for Your Budgeting Needs (21)

Image viaEtsy

Hopefully, this list has helped you narrow down on a money template pdf option that can help you get started with your cash envelope budgeting.

These cheap envelopes definitely make budgeting more fun and this method keeps you on track without being boring.

If you have yourcash envelope templateready to go but are looking for some guidance before you get started, watch this easy tutorial:

21 Cash Envelope Templates for Your Budgeting Needs (22)21 Cash Envelope Templates for Your Budgeting Needs (23)Swagbucks pays you to take surveys online and is one of my favorite survey websites because of its countless survey options and trustworthiness. They pay you via PayPal or gift cards if you take surveys through their website. You also get a $5 welcome bonus using this link.
21 Cash Envelope Templates for Your Budgeting Needs (24)21 Cash Envelope Templates for Your Budgeting Needs (25)CIT Bank offers high yield savings accounts and term CDs that are great for people who are looking to invest their cash and earn interest. One of the reasons they are so famous among savers is because they have one of the nation’s top rates- 6x the national average (your typical savings account earns you just 0.09%).
21 Cash Envelope Templates for Your Budgeting Needs (26)21 Cash Envelope Templates for Your Budgeting Needs (27)FlexJobs is great if you are looking for remote work opportunities. The team at FlexJobs monitors every job posting to make sure the standard is maintained so you will find well-paying job opportunities and zero scammy ones.
21 Cash Envelope Templates for Your Budgeting Needs (28)21 Cash Envelope Templates for Your Budgeting Needs (29)For wise parents with their children’s futures in mind, an early tax-advantaged investment account specifically tailored for children is a fantastic idea. Programs such as UNest are designed to help you achieve this goal of
crafting a better future for your children.
21 Cash Envelope Templates for Your Budgeting Needs (30)21 Cash Envelope Templates for Your Budgeting Needs (31)Credit Saint is my top pick when it comes to credit repair agencies. It has a 90-day money-back guarantee, an A+ rating from the BBB, affordable pricing and it has also been voted the best credit repair company by consumer advocate. Credit Saint
21 Cash Envelope Templates for Your Budgeting Needs (2024)

FAQs

How to make a budget for a cash envelope? ›

The concept is simple: Take a few envelopes, write a specific expense category on each one — like groceries, rent or student loans — and then put the money you plan to spend on those things into the envelopes. Traditionally, people have used the envelope system on a monthly basis, using actual cash and envelopes.

What is Dave Ramsey's envelope method? ›

The envelope budgeting method is a budgeting system that was popularized by personal finance author Dave Ramsey. The method involves dividing your take-home pay into spending categories (e.g., rent, utilities, et cetera), labeling an envelope for each category, and putting the cash you plan to spend into the envelopes.

How do you make a homemade cash envelope? ›

Cash Envelope System
  1. Step 1: Materials. You will need: ...
  2. Step 2: Fold 12x12 Envelope Sheets. ...
  3. Step 3: Cut Folded Sheet. ...
  4. Step 4: (Optional) Hole Punch. ...
  5. Step 5: Tape the Envelopes. ...
  6. Step 6: Cut Poster Board/card Stock. ...
  7. Step 7: Align Envelopes & Clip in Place. ...
  8. Step 8: Sew Together.

How to save $5 000 in 3 months with 100 envelopes? ›

You can save over $5,000 in just over three months with the 100 envelope challenge. It works like this: Gather 100 envelopes and number them from 1 to 100. Each day, fill up one envelope with the amount of cash corresponding to the number on the envelope. You can fill up the envelopes in order or pick them at random.

What is an example of envelope budgeting? ›

Say you have $690 assigned to your grocery envelope. If that's your budget amount for the month, then you would be able to spend about $172 per week. Once that money is gone, you wouldn't be able to spend anything else until the new budget month begins.

What is the 50/30/20 method? ›

The idea is to divide your income into three categories, spending 50% on needs, 30% on wants, and 20% on savings. Learn more about the 50/30/20 budget rule and if it's right for you.

What is one drawback of using envelope budgeting? ›

One potential downside of using a cash envelope budget is the inconvenience of having to physically carry and manage cash. This can be especially cumbersome for those who prefer to use credit or debit cards for their purchases. Additionally, carrying a significant amount of cash can be a security risk.

Is cash stuffing a good idea? ›

Cash stuffing might also be useful for those who want to reduce their credit card spending. By having some or all of your spending money in cash, you're less likely to make credit card purchases, delay paying them off and add to your credit card bill.

How to make cash budget wallet? ›

How Cash Stuffing Envelopes Works
  1. Make a budget. First things first, you need to make a budget. ...
  2. Choose the budget lines that need a cash envelope. When you're making your budget, think about those areas that usually become budget busters. ...
  3. Label and stuff your cash envelopes. ...
  4. Spend only what's in your cash envelopes.
Apr 16, 2024

How to make a budget binder at home? ›

Put a few empty vinyl binder sleeves in the front of the binder to collect receipts. Insert your binder dividers and label them by month. Print a monthly calendar for each month and insert them in each monthly section. Create a monthly budget of your income and expenses in a spreadsheet.

How to do envelope budget without cash? ›

Instead of stuffing your spending envelopes with cash, use gift cards. At the beginning of the month, purchase gift cards that correspond with your various spending categories. For example, you might get one card for groceries, another for gas and another to use for entertainment purchases.

How do you start a cash envelope budget? ›

So, let's recap the steps you need to take to start using the cash envelope system:
  1. STEP #1: Create a budget.
  2. STEP #2: Track your expenses.
  3. STEP #3: Categorize your spending.
  4. STEP #4: Set limits for each category.
  5. STEP #5: Decide when to pull out cash.
  6. STEP #6: Pay your regular bills online.
Jul 23, 2018

What is the envelope budget hack? ›

The 100-envelope challenge is a way to gamify saving money. Each day for 100 days, you'll set aside a predetermined dollar amount in different envelopes. After just over 3 months, you could have more than $5,000 saved.

How do I create a personal budget template? ›

  1. Choose Your Software and Template. Excel and Google Sheets are the most commonly used spreadsheet programs, but if you have a MacBook, you can also use the Numbers app. ...
  2. Calculate Your Income. ...
  3. Categorize Your Expenses. ...
  4. Decide How Often to Update Your Budget. ...
  5. Enter Your Numbers. ...
  6. Maintain and Stick to Your Budget.
Jan 31, 2024

How to save $10,000 in a year with envelopes? ›

Stay motivated and on track to reach your $10K savings goal by tracking your progress. In this version of the challenge, each envelope has a different amount for you to choose from. As you save, color in 1 envelope a day for 100 days or 2 per week for 50 weeks.

What is the 50/30/20 budget rule? ›

The 50-30-20 rule recommends putting 50% of your money toward needs, 30% toward wants, and 20% toward savings.

How do you do the money envelope trick? ›

The 100-envelope challenge is a way to gamify saving money. Each day for 100 days, you'll set aside a predetermined dollar amount in different envelopes. After just over 3 months, you could have more than $5,000 saved.

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Otha Schamberger

Last Updated:

Views: 6605

Rating: 4.4 / 5 (55 voted)

Reviews: 94% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Otha Schamberger

Birthday: 1999-08-15

Address: Suite 490 606 Hammes Ferry, Carterhaven, IL 62290

Phone: +8557035444877

Job: Forward IT Agent

Hobby: Fishing, Flying, Jewelry making, Digital arts, Sand art, Parkour, tabletop games

Introduction: My name is Otha Schamberger, I am a vast, good, healthy, cheerful, energetic, gorgeous, magnificent person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.