These super cute, free printable cash envelope designs are perfect for saving money towards future purchases and setting up a cash based monthly budget that is EASY to stick to.
A monthly budget based on the cash envelope system helps you plan out how much money you need each month to cover your expenses. It also allows you to set aside some extra money for savings or other goals.
There’s nothing more satisfying than paying off debt or saving up for something fun. If you’re looking for ways to start budgeting or save money, consider using our FREE printable cash envelopes to budget and save money for the future. Let’s check them out!
FREE PRINTABLE Cash Envelopes
This FREE Cash envelope printable includes 4 on trend, stylish designs. If you need more than 4 envelopes you’ll just need to print out duplicates.
Let’s take a closer look at these cool designs! This is an ikat batik pattern that is really popular in design these days! The colorway is in the aqua blue, sea glass and gold range which I find relaxing and beachy!
FREE PRINTABLE Cash Envelope Trackers
We also include FREE Printable cash envelope trackers that help you track your spending in real time, ensuring that you’ll always know how much you have left to spend and when you’re out of money. This FREE tracker template is designed to simplify your process, allowing you record your expenses effortlessly.
FREE PRINTABLE Cash Envelope Labels
We’re also including FREE PRINTABLE cash envelope labels that you can use to label each of your cash envelopes! Just print them out on to matte printable sticker paper, add the spending category and cut out!
What is the cash envelope system?
The cash envelope system (sometimes called cash stuffing) is a budgeting method that helps control spending by using physical envelopes for different spending categories that YOU decide. Each envelope contains cash for a specific category of your choice, and once the cash is gone, you can’t spend any more in that category until the next budget period.
The cash envelope system can be an effective way to budget for those who need a visual budget cue to keep spending on track. The cash envelope system can reduce your monthly spending because once the cash is depleted you can’t spend any more.
The cash envelope system doesn’t work for everyone but it’s worth a shot if you feel like credit and debit cards aren’t the answer to your budgeting woes. Below you’ll find a detailed, step-by-step guide to incorporating the cash envelope system.
How do I use the cash envelope system to manage my budget?
Step 1: Identify Your Budget Categories
Decide which spending categories to track with cash envelopes. Common categories include groceries, dining out, entertainment, gas, and personal spending. Choose categories that you tend to overspend on or that could benefit from a stricter limit. Be sure to read our detailed article on 27+ Actionable Tips for Cutting Spending ASAP.
You can also use these envelopes for savings! Like a vacation fund, eating out fund, shoe fund, Christmas fund…you name it. Just place any savings into those envelopes until you reach your goal.
Step 2: Determine Your Budget Amounts
After deciding your categories, set a budget amount for each one based on your monthly income and expenses. For instance, you might allocate $300 for groceries, $100 for dining out, and $50 for entertainment. You can use our FREE Printable Monthly Budget Tracker to help you.
Step 3: Prepare Your Envelopes
Download our FREE PRINTABLE cash envelopes, FREE PRINTABLE cash envelope stickers and label the outside of the envelope with each category (such as groceries, gas, bills etc). Place one of our FREE PRINTABLE cash envelope trackers inside the envelope.
Step 4: Withdraw Cash for Each Envelope
At the beginning of the budget period (usually weekly or monthly), withdraw the total amount of cash you’ll need for all envelopes. Then, divide the cash among the envelopes according to the budgeted amounts.
Step 5: Spend Only from the Envelopes
When you need to make a purchase in a category, use only the cash from the corresponding envelope. For example, if you’re buying groceries, take cash from the “Groceries” envelope. This limits your spending to what’s in the envelope and helps prevent overspending.
Step 6: Stop Spending When an Envelope Is Empty
If an envelope runs out of cash, that means you’ve hit the budget limit for that category. You can’t spend more in that category until the next budget period. This is key to the system’s effectiveness, as it helps keep spending in check.
Step 7: Refill and Adjust Each Period
At the end of the budget period, review how much money you have left in each envelope. This can give you insights into your spending habits. Then, refill each envelope for the next period, adjusting amounts if needed based on how your budget went.
What do I print these Cash Envelopes on?
I use glossy white card stock that is at least 80 lb weight like THIS inexpensive option (available in small quantities) to print my page markers on. Glossy cardstock prints true to color and doesn’t absorb/wash out ink like matte papers. Since these will be handled a lot you’ll want something that’ll stand up to a lot of use. Use the instructions from above to fold and glue your envelope together.
The cash envelope system is great for helping build discipline in spending, staying within a budget, and learning where your money goes. You can even use them as savings envelopes for special financial goals in the future! Be sure to check out some of our other Budgeting FREE Printables before you leave today:
FREE Printable Budget Planners & Stickers
FREE Printable 30 Day Savings Challenge
FREE Printable Christmas Gift List Planner
NOTE! Our free printable cash envelope system is free to use for personal use only! Commercial use, profiting from, giving away, using as a part of a free giveaway, modifying to sell or give away is strictly prohibited. If someone you know is interested in using our files, send them to our website to download directly. By downloading you agree to these terms and conditions.
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