Ever tried budgeting and felt like you were doing it wrong? You print out the budget sheets, highlighters in hand, ready to take control—only to sit there staring, wondering, what do I even put in these columns?

That was me. I’d sit cross-legged on my bed in the evenings, determined to make sense of it all. But between terms like sinking funds and categories that didn’t fit my life, I ended up tossing the printables aside. Instead, I grabbed a blank sheet of paper and wrote out my income, my expenses, and what I actually needed. And honestly? That felt so much easier than trying to force myself into someone else’s system.

That’s when I realized that budgeting—and especially the cash envelope method—isn’t about making it look pretty or following someone else’s rules. It’s about making a system that works for you.

So if you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by budgeting, if you’ve tried and failed, or if you just don’t know where to start—this episode is for you.

What You’ll Learn:

•  How to actually set up a cash envelope system that fits your life
• Why all your transactions should be highlighted (no guilt, no shame, just clarity)
• How fun things like stickers and savings challenges can keep you motivated 

EPISODE RESOURCES:

• Get Access To My Free Library!
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