[hayley]

My parents tell me that when they were first married, they'd get paid in cash. They would label envelopes with the names of all of their expenses and put so much money in each week to cover their bills. They even had an envelope for saving which went in the bank. Whatever was left was spending money. It sounds like not a bad way to make sure you have enough to pay the bills.

[Livvie]

It sounds like it worked for them. My parents used to do the same. These days we just pay with everything from our debit/credit cards. We also make a lot of online payments. I think we would all be better off if we paid with things in cash and from envelopes.

[jason]

I've heard of the envelope method before. It is a great way to go. But I enjoy getting rewards with my credit card. It is more difficult to control yourself though.

[missyk]

I know a few people that only carry cash when they are going out shopping to make sure they can afford what they are getting and not getting frivolous. When you just add a ton of things into the cart before you checkout and then have the ease of a debit card its easy to spend more than you "virtually budget".

[OCDQueen]

I have considered using this method before but I have a fear that if I know the cash is in the house I will "borrow" from it for frivolous activities.

[missyk]

There is an easy way to keep away from that and its a smart thought too. We end up keeping a minimal amount of money in the house but when we are going out for a shopping trip we hit up the ATM and get only what we need.

[Elli]

That sounds like a neat way to save. I have a jar which I fill up with all my spare change. I make it a rule never to touch it until the jar is full. Then I use the money to buy a treat for myself. Works wonders!