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[quote=Anonymous]I'd like to start saving more money, after a year of bleeding money (new house, furniture, car, etc).  One thing I read over and over is to use the 'envelope system' where you put cash out each month by category & spend only what you have.  This seems like a great idea in theory, but I'm stuck in making it a reality

90% of our non bill (e.g. mortgage, utilities, day care) goes on a single credit card  (yes, we pay it off each month).  That's where the cash would come in handy - it's our biggest, variable, expense where we could cut back.

I've tried looking at the statements to see what categories we'd need, but it gets overwhelming, a lot of "oh yeah, we needed a new rug for the mud room to protect the floors" and "we paid for catering at the family reunion"

Looking at the nifty pie chart my card company provides

30% Merchandise (includes christmas)
18% Supermarkets
8% "Services" (including UPS, hair cuts)
8% Gas stations
6% Travel
5% Sam's club
3% Restaurants
Rest - medical, education, automotive, government services (passports)

I get that groceries/sam's club and restaurants can be cash,  and we can save up for travel, but struggle with the rest.  I buy a lot of our stuff (diapers, face cream, bday gifts) online.  Gas just doesn't make sense either, and when the kids need a haircut or I have to mail something, it's not like I can wait a month till there is cash in that envelope.

There aren't any 'easy' spots to save.  We don't drink starbucks, rarely eat out, bring lunches, low cell phone/cable plans, shop sales, etc.

Does anyone use a cash budget?  How do you make it work?

Other suggestions for savings[/quote]

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