Home Budgeting Hack: Go Old School and Save
- Bruce Coffman
- 15 hours ago
- 3 min read
A penny saved is a penny earned.
- Benjamin Franklin
The phrase 'A penny saved is a penny earned' means that it is as useful to save money that you already have as it is to earn more. Luckily, there's a super easy old school approach to help with that. Cash stuffing. It was viral and trending all over the internet a while back because it's a great way to take control of your home budget.
Scroll on down to see just how easy it is to get started.
What the heck is "cash stuffing" and how do you start?
Cash stuffing was a hot trend on social media, with one "influencer" raking in big bucks by basically teaching how to do it and selling products to help. It's an amazingly low-tech approach to budgeting that helps a lot of people save money and stretch their monthly budget further than traditional methods or even a bunch of fancy apps. Well, I'm about to cut through the crap and break it down for you in easy terms..
First, why it works. Because it's simple and anyone can do it. Also, spending physical cash instead of whipping out a card shows you exactly where your money's going and how much you have left to play around with. Most people will think twice before parting with cash but wouldn't hesitate to spend just as much or more with a debit or credit card or even old-school paper checks. Does anybody still use those?
How it works. Get a small binder and envelope system. Label a separate envelope for each of your spending categories, like rent, utility bills, savings. You can be as general or specific as you choose. It's all up to you. You can choose to have a "play money" or discretionary spending envelope, or you can break it up into different categories like "clothing" and "coffee money." Whatever helps keep you on track and accountable for your spending. When you get paid, divide the cash up into your envelopes.
When the envelope for that particular category is empty, you have nothing left to spend until you replenish it. You can choose to borrow from another category, but you have to remember, that's less you have to spend in that particular category.
Easy peasy. There are people online teaching classes in this, but I really think that with what I've told you here, you can get started on your own and do it! Happy budgeting! Yes, there is such a thing, when you make it easy for yourself.
Money saving tips
Do you have old subscription services or memberships you're no longer using but still paying for? Check your bank statement for automatic payments you may have forgotten. Cancel that stuff!
Break up with your barista. Make your coffee at home and save an obscene amount of money in a year's time. Get some flavored syrups and creamers and you'll probably even create something you like better than what the giant corporate chain has you addicted to. Check out my article with Starbucks dupes to make at home.
Kiss big brand name grocery items goodbye. Most store brands products are just as good, sometimes even the exact same thing in different packaging, and will save you a bundle.
And I just happen to have a budget planner available to help you out even more! Here's a sample page you can even print off and use if you don't want to or can't purchase a planner. Or check out my Baddie Budget Planner.
I'm not smart enough to show you the page, but here's the PDF file you can download and print:
And, here's a handy dandy complete system! Wow!
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