Ok, i have tried the envelope system in the past and i stopped after 2 months. Here was my problem. I had categories for: Food, Clothing, Gifts, Supplies (laundry, diapers, etc.) and so on. So, i go to Target and buy some soap, shampoo, a b-day gift, pick up a shirt for DD, etc. Ok, i have 3 categories there. So, do i buy them all seperately or do you just grab some money out of 1 category and then take money out of the other categories that were used and replace the money in the 1 category. Does this make sense?? Ok, i'm rambling............my question is what do you do when you go to a store and you have different items that belong to different categories??

TIA!

Jen

Okay, this is what I do. First, I lump groceries in with cleaning supplies, diapers, etc. I can't seperate them! Second, I DO take the money out of the one envelope (unless I can say,"oh, this is a $10 gift" and then it is easy to take $10 out of the gift envelope!), and when I get home, I itemize my receipts..and pull the money out of the right envelopes to put back in my grocery envelope. Make sense??

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That's what I do too .. I think we could make this WAYYYY too complicated if we get too many categories. All grocies/personal items and supplies are in one category for us.

Ok, thanks girls!! That was probably my problem last time.....too many categories!!!

We're getting ready to start an envelope system - you just answered my questions! LOL

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Stephanie (27) & Virgil (31)
Caden 3 y.o. 11/28/04 29w preemie
Wyatt 17 mos. 9/25/06
#3 due 8/24/08

Have you ever heard of Buget map (www.budgetmap.com?) I just got this system because I have a hard time with actually using the envelope system because I live quite a distance from my bank and have a hard time getting cash. Take a look at their website to explain but basically it allows you to deduct the whole amount from your register and then deduct sub-amounts from their respective category. It's compact too and fits right in your checkbook.