Envelope cash budgeting planning.
All money goes in an envelope, and there is an envelope for each budget item.
When do you want the item? Divide cost by paydays, deposit increments every payday.
If there's no envelope for an item, there's no spending for the item. If there's no money in the envelope for an item, you don't buy it.
If your total paycheck won't cover all the envelopes, something gets cut or delayed.
You can substitute juice cans, margarine or yogurt tubs for envelopes; they wear better, but take up a lot more space. (I used little sherbet tubs during one period.)
You always know where your money is, you always know where it's going.
Want personal "just for me" money? There's an envelope for that.
There is no "general fund," just as there is no "petty cash." If you don't plan for it, you don't spend for it.
I have done this three different times in my life.
I always had enough money. I always managed to keep my car repaired and my bills paid. And I didn't buy anything impulsively.
I replaced the engine, fenders, paint, and tires on my car using this plan. I bought new clothes using it. I fed my family with it. I bought my computers with it.
There is just nothing quite like not being in debt.
