GENTLE BUDGETING

Envelope Budgeting, No Cash Required

Remember the envelope method? Cash for groceries goes in one envelope, gas in another, fun money in a third. When an envelope is empty, that category is done for the month. It works because you can see your money, and every dollar has a job.

The catch: most of us pay with cards now. Carrying cash for everything is a hassle, and envelopes get lost in the car.

Digital envelopes do the same job

In BudgetHaven, an envelope is a spot for money with a purpose: Groceries, Gas, Kids, Fun. You give each one a monthly target, say $450 for groceries, and BudgetHaven splits that target across your paychecks. Paid every two weeks? Each paycheck puts about half toward Groceries.

When you spend, the purchase comes out of its envelope. Each envelope shows three simple numbers:

• Money in it: what you’ve set aside so far
• Spent: what’s gone out this month
• Available: what’s still there to use

Why it feels lighter

You can glance at Groceries on a Tuesday and know exactly how much is left, with zero math in the checkout line. When an envelope runs low, you get to choose: wait, or move money over from another envelope. Either way, the choice is yours.

Getting started

Pick three or four envelopes for the things that surprise you most each month. For a lot of people that’s groceries, gas, and eating out. Start there, and add more once it feels natural.

Start small. One envelope is enough to feel the difference.

— Dolly

Try it in the sample budget at mybudgethaven.com/demo.