I do exactly the same thing. I earn money back and pay off the balance each month.

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I don't believe in miracles; I depend on them

Up until this past month, we never paid cash for anything. However, after all the Dave Ramsey discussion on the boards, we decided to try the envelope system. This is our 1st month doing it, so we have a little overlap between the credit cards from last month. We have a large amount of debt, and using credit cards was not helping. We were paying the ones we used off every month, but I found I am more likely to spend more when shopping with a credit card than with cash. Now that we are using cash, there is a finite amount of money I have to spend, so I have to spend it more wisely and really can't make impulsive purchases, which I think is going to help us out a lot when it comes to paying down our debt. We do still use credit cards for gas (we have 2 gas cards depending on what station w are at). Just like others have said, I don't want to drag the kids out of the car, but we do budget a set amount for gas. However, things like mortgage, electric, phone, etc., the money sits in the checking account until I need to write a check.

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Pain is temporary, quitting is forever....

the only thing that I use the debit card for is gas on Friday's. I take out 150.00 spending money, 30 household cleaning, 50 pizza a month & 150 every 2 weeks for groceries. I had to use cash, because I was spending way to much and racked up credit cards again to the tune of 16,000. I have a list with prices on it that tells me exactly how much everything will cost and I take just that amount with me. If the kids need clothes or anything, I try to save for it, but I did use my children's place and kohl;s card, but some it's going back because they have way too much. I do better with cash, because once it's gone there's no more. I also shop for more bargains that way and feel alot better without charging anything.

We never carry cash. We always use the debit card, if we use ours as a credit transaction we earn rewards and flyer miles, which is cool because I live 1200 miles away from my hometown. To me it is easier to keep track of finances just using a debit card. I am quite the opposite with cash I spend...Spend...SPEND!!! So it is better that I don't have it!!

I take $400 cash out on the first of the month for groceries, that has to last a family of 5 all month. Other than that the rest is debit card all the way. Whatever isn't direct withdrawl we use debit that way it comes out right away. We have two accounts, checking and savings and both are accessible with our debit card. All our money lands in checking and we bounce it around after that. I keep every single receipt and log them all in my book at home, keeping track of gas, kids expenses, clothes, home repair, and then add it all up making sure I'm keeping in my budget. We used to have credit cards but we did a plasectomy and are free!!!! I have my baby emergency fund and am on step 2 of the Dave Ramsey plan. It is a lot of work to keep track of everything but my husband works VERY hard away from home.....the least I can do is treat his paycheck with the respect it deserves!

I've gotten into a HORRIBLE habit lately, I've been writing checks for everything. Like I if i need groceries, but I havn't gotten paid yet, I just write a check, and hope it doesn't make it back to the bank before I get paid. Iv'e been doing this for a month now, in fact, I need to do it today! Ugh!! Ther ejust hasn't been any money left over in the accts and I need to get my shopping done when I can.

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~Missy~Mommy
Meghan7.Samantha6,Cameron4

Back together!! Sept 28th Boston TDCenter!! Woohooooo!