Keeping Track of Expenses

I pay bills by direct debit/check. Then I get my monthly allotment for groceries, gas, etc. in cash which I have in an envelope in my purse. After each purchase I put the receipts back in the envelope with the balance of my cash. At the end of the month I can total up the receipts to see how I did. I find that I spend less when the cash has to last until my next pay day. No more NSFs! But now, instead of having too much month left at the end of the money, I have money left over! What a GREAT feeling. It's like getting a raise.

By virginnyb65 from Charles City, IA