Free Cash Envelope System Template and a Tutorial!
Update: I opened up an Etsy shop!! Go purchase your pre-made cash envelopes!
As I’ve mentioned before, we went to the cash system endorsed by Dave Ramsey not too long ago. We literally froze our credit cards (in a cup of water in the freezer) and started to pay cash for everything that wasn’t a regular bill (which I pay online). I spent the first month or so figuring out how we were going to make it work for us. I used a plastic accordion coupon organizer that I already had, and stuffed plain, standard sized envelopes inside of it. Each envelope contained cash for a specific category. We started small – with groceries and gas – and then eventually added a few more categories as we discovered how we spend.
The idea behind using cash is that it hurts to hand over that $20 bill. Right? It’s a lot easier to just hand the cashier the credit or debit card and not really calculate how much you have spent. ALSO, you can see how much is still in the envelope and change your spending patterns accordingly. When the cash is gone . . . it is gone!
I can’t even begin to tell you what this has done for us. Not only did we discover that we can live on less than we thought, but we have actually been able to give more generously, too! Plus, I’ve mentioned before that I really don’t like spending money. Well, okay, that was before we went to the cash system. See, it felt like we never had any money, so I never spent anything on myself, and that was just miserable. Now that we have money designated for me, I don’t have any problem spending it and having fun! FREEDOM, I tell you. It’s wonderful.
So, today’s FREE template is in honor of the cash system. It’s an envelope! Click on the image to be taken to my store where you can grab it for FREE! But, keep reading, because I want to show you what I did with it.
I decided that it was high time I had prettier envelopes. I purchased a new wallet recently which came with cash envelopes. However, the envelopes had LINES on them. You know; like you fill them out. Oh, the pressure. I like my plain ol’ envelopes, thank you very much. So, I modified the wallet and just put plain envelopes in there instead. NOW, thanks to my new template, I have pretty ones! Here’s how!
Before I get started, let me direct you to some pretty good tutorials (if I do say so myself!) found at The Hybrid Chick:
Where to Start – offers suggestions for basic materials to get you started with hybrid, if you are interested in using digital papers with your template.
Using Templates – guides you through the process of using my templates from downloading to adding digital paper, and preparing to print.
Borderless Printing – shows you how to find your borderless printing option on your printer . . . or at least gets you headed in the right direction.
Now, print your project! Of course, you can use digital paper or simply print the lines only version on some of the patterned paper or cardstock in your stash.
For my project, I chose to print the lines only pdf file directly onto some Close To My Heart patterned paper from my stash. (From the Emporium Collection.)
I scored on the dashed lines with a bone folder and cut on the solid lines using my craft knife.
Then, I folded the sides in.
And folded the bottom flap up.
Next, I used a double sided tape runner to adhere the sides to the bottom flap.
And, the envelope is done!
However, I had other things in mind. So, I mass produced.
And gathered all of the envelopes up, stacking them nicely.
I cut a piece of cardstock that I would eventually slip into my wallet, and punched some holes at regular intervals. I think I punched 7 holes.
The other side of this piece of paper has a small strip of patterned paper just to act as a reinforcer. Plus, it’s kinda pretty. You’ll see that later on. For now, I used my Crop-O-Dile
And then I sewed a loose blanket stitch with ribbon. I actually didn’t know how to do this, so I Googled it. Hee, hee!
I flipped the cardstock around so that it could tuck inside my wallet.
I created some labels in Photoshop that contain some of my regular categories. (Click picture to download.)
I talk more about my envelope categories and how I use them in this post: Cash Envelope Categories: What Works For Us.
I punched them out with my 1 3/8 circle punch and mounted them on a scalloped circle punched with my scalloped punch!
And, I tucked some cash inside!
This is what my wallet now looks like:
So pretty! I will totally enjoy whipping this bad boy out at the grocery store!
OF COURSE, this envelope template is just a regular, run-of-the-mill, standard sized envelope. However, now you can pretty it up with your papercrafting supplies and go to town! Oh, I just love that! If you decide that you like this template, please check out my store to see the rest of my items! I have all kinds of fun, unique papercraft templates to choose from!
Edit (11/24/10):
- This cash envelope template is still FREE (and always will be!), but now you can purchase Cash Envelope Cutting Files for your digital die-cut machine!
- Interested in another cash envelope option? Check out my new Tab Envelope Template Set and Cutting Files!
Update: I opened up an Etsy shop!! Go purchase your pre-made cash envelopes!
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. When you use them, you help support this site! Thank you!
(9 votes, average: 4.22 out of 5)
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Thanks for the great envelope Kelleigh! We’ve been slowly starting to do the envelope system and trying to figure out the best way to tweak it for us. This will come in handy to keep in my purse and keep all of the cash separate! Have a wonderful New Year!!
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Thanks! This wonderful template will come in very, very handy.
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Thanks for the envelope template, Kelleigh! I have an old friend who swears by Dave Ramsey and her family has really taken to it (even blogging their experiences). Happy New Year…hope your 2010 is a fantastic one!! :>
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Thank you so much. I was going to look for a template this evening and now I don’t have to.
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Thank you so much for sharing! That is an adorable idea! I cannot wait to try it. God bless you in the New Year!
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Kelleigh,
Your envelope templates are perfect, thanks so much for posting this! I have the same exact Dave Ramsey wallet and my envelopes are tearing, not to mention ugly. I would love to make these, now if only I could actually spread out my scrapbook supplies for more than 5 minutes without two sets of little hands reaching for everything…..
Someday! Thanks for the inspiration:)
Love your blog, by the way!
Rebecca
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Happy New Year, Kelleigh!
Thanks so much for the template and the project is just *WOW*
{cheers} Sylvia
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Thanks for the envelope template! Great ideas about saving money, I’m glad you guys are doing so well.
Happy New Year!
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Wow, Kelleigh! Thanks so much! I keep hearing about Dave Ramsey, must look into his philosophy and see if it would work for us. I adore the envelopes in your wallet! Gorgeous.
Are you a CTMH consultant (I honestly don’t remember) or do you just have lots of their goodies? I used to be one, myself! LOL
May 2010 bring you all GOOD things and I truly look forward to being continually inspired by you!
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Kelleigh Reply:
January 4th, 2010 at 11:16 am
Hey Jeanne!
Well, I WAS until December 31st. I have a TON of their stuff. I’m trying to simplify taxes for 2010, so I’m closing that down. Kinda sad, though, because I LOVE their paper and stamps and embellishments! Everything, really. I was teaching scrap groups once a month or so, and I enjoyed that, too. Maybe I can still hold workshops, except with all different kinds of supplies. I dunno.
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This is WONDERFUL idea & concep!!! I’m heading over to Dave Ramsey’s site to learn more. Love It & thank you for the template!
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OH, MY WORD! Kelleigh… this is gorgeous!!! Wow! I’m in awe of you and your fancy wallet.
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This is a great, crafty, Thrifty idea. I would love to have you link at my thrifty thursday post.
http://www.mycouponteacher.com/2009/12/thrifty-thursday-new-year.html
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We have remained debt free and cash only for years. Love your pretty envelopes and idea to put in the wallet. (I just keep the envelopes on my desk, for now).
Thanks for sharing!
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These are super cute! We went to the envelope system last year & it was the best thing ever!
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ooo what an awesome and neat idea!! Thanks for sharingthis!!!
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These are gorgeous! Thanks for posting these!!
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What a great idea! We’ve been following the Baby Steps for a year and we love it. Thanks for the envelope pattern.
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I’ve been looking for this exact project! I want to use envelopes but they HAVE to be pretty!!!!!!
Please please tell me where you purchased the wallet. Thank you!!!
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Kelleigh Reply:
January 4th, 2010 at 11:17 am
Maci, did you get the message I sent you? This is the Designer Wallet from Dave Ramsey.com. It’s really not much more exciting than something you can pick up at TX Maxx, though!
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[...] Uncategorized Leave a Comment I had some free time today and an old calendar. I used this link to make my own envelopes for my money saving cash system this year. In between Desta’s needs [...]
Thank you for taking so much time to share this – what a wonderful idea! I’ve read a bit of Dave Ramsey and he has some really sound ideas. I think he should be required reading in high school for kids about to graduate! Thanks so much for the template and tutorial!
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I bought my wallet from Dave Ramsey’s website. It was on sale for only $10 for a while (and might still be). It’s really not any more impressive than any other wallet, though, and mine was a little bit . . . wonky. The snap isn’t centered. I probably should have returned it, but I didn’t want the hassle. I’m okay with an imperfect wallet!
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Love these envelopes! I love Dave Ramsey and his ideas on debt and spending. Thanks for the free download
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You are my hero!!! I love this! I’ll be getting my scrapbook stuff out tomorrow and starting this right away! Thanks so much!!!!
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What a great idea!! I love them!! I can’t wait to have one of these because I never knew how to store my regular envelopes! this will help a ton to keep me organized and loving using cash!!!
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Kelleigh thank you so much for the inspiration! I love the idea of budgeting each week in envelopes. Reminds me when I was single in college..when the envelope was empty we would we made mac and cheese in our old popcorn popper!
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[...] Template WordArt Envelope Template [...]
Those are the most gorgeous envelopes. Beautiful work! I bet it makes paying cash more fun, too.
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What a great idea. We also do the cash/enevelope system, however I only carry my personal mad money and the grocery money. TOO many times I’m buying something that should be paid out of the “household” envelope (eg. light bulbs) and don’t have that cash with me….this is such a great solution! LOVE IT! Thanks for the free envelope template as well. Now, the question is, can i keep from robbing peter to pay paul, when I have all the cash with me????? A common problem we have. HOWEVER, one tip we do is in the “vacation” envelope I empty it out and put in a jar in DH’s dresser – out of sight out of mind – so we’re not tempted to rob from it. Works like a charm!
THanks again.
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Kelleigh Reply:
January 4th, 2010 at 11:25 am
Oh, I rob from Peter to pay Paul all the time! Well, sorta. If there is something that I “need” and my week 1 grocery envelope is empty, I might take from week 2. Just means that my week 2 has less in it.
We don’t have a vacation fund (shame, shame, huh?), however we save for other things like homeowners insurance and car registration, etc. What I do is transfer funds right away into our savings account, where it sits until we pay those items. We keep track of the different “savings” categories on a spreadsheet. I’m totally new to this whole budget thing, though. We’ll see if it works for me! My sister puts the money for those things in an envelope in her safe, because she knows it will be spent if it is in “sight” in her account. Kinda like your jar. . . . okay, so now I think I might need a jar. {sigh} I’m a work in progress . . . and a “verbal” thinker. Thanks for letting me digest this in front of everyone.
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Jodi Reply:
January 6th, 2010 at 3:59 pm
We save up for just about everything – vacation, gifts, vet bills, etc. I was “dumping” all of those categories (11 in all for us) into 1 savings acct. But, a few months ago, I contacted my bank and asked how many savings accounts I could have. They have no limit. So, I now have a specific savings account for each category and transfer the appropriate amount into that account every month from my checking account.
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Steve in W MA Reply:
December 15th, 2010 at 10:30 am
What works really well for me is to use “virtual” categories. I have $5000 or so in my account but that money is divided up into 20 or so categories such as car repair, car excise tax, anticipated federal and state taxes for the year, etc etc.
I refer to my category list when spending, not to the account balances.
You can do this on a spreadsheet, or just with a simple piece of paper, or with software like YNAB (which is fantastic).
I actually like doing my budget on paper and update it once a week. I make my main budget once a month and I budget last month’s income for this month’s budget (in other words, I only budget the money I already have earned).
I record all my expenses in a little notebook I carry with me, then I update my budget totals once a week by category.
I use an actual ENVELOPE only for those categories that I know get me in trouble on a monthly basis. For me, that’s “Blow $$” and (this month) “Christmas”.
Thank you SO much! I’m about a week from starting the cash/envelope Dave Ramsey system, and to think that I’ll have pretty envelopes and get to create too, is just icing on the cake!!
Thanks again!
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thanks for the envelope template. I have a couple of your other things I got from the store. Any way you can create a 5 x 7 envelope that will fit on 8.5 x 11 paper????
We have been paying cash for things for years but if one goes online they can’t always do that. You just have to learn what is important and whats not
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Kelleigh Reply:
January 4th, 2010 at 11:25 am
I’ll see what I can do, Vicki!!
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Thank you so much for offering the FREE envelope template. It’s a great New Years Resolution inspirer.
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This is AWESOME!!! I was going to stuff my wallet with regular plain white envelopes but now, now I’m going to use your template to create pretty ones. We are starting our three older girls (14, 13, 11) on the cash envelope system so they can go through their teen years learning to handle their money. I think we will have a big envelope making party this week so we can all have beautiful wallets.
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I am so excited that I found your site.
I am just starting this Cash system and you have made me want to run out and do it now. LOL…
I love your paper… Could you suggest a pack that would be john deere pinks and browns?
ok so I have so many questions. How did you print the labels?
Sorry don’t mean to drive you crazy but I am actually excited to move all the way to this Cash system…… (sigh) You are the nudge I needed.
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Kelleigh Reply:
January 4th, 2010 at 7:26 pm
Ha! I thought John Deere was green and yellow! Shows you how much I know.
If you are looking for pink and brown CTMH paper, I love More To Adore (https://joyfulheart.myctmh.com/Retail/Search.aspx?SearchValue=More%20to%20Adore).
However, my current favorite is Veranda (https://joyfulheart.myctmh.com/Retail/Search.aspx?SearchValue=Veranda)
By the way, I’m linking you up to my friend Joy’s CTMH site! She’s so sweat!
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Kelleigh Reply:
January 4th, 2010 at 7:28 pm
OH! I meant to answer your other question, too! You just click on the labels, which will take you to a Box dot net download page. Download the file (which is a pdf), then open it with Adobe Acrobat Reader (a free application that you probably already have). You can just click the printer button at the top of the page, or go to File>Print! Easy-peasy! All of my templates include a pdf file so that you can print them this way.
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This is so awesome, Kelleigh!!
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[...] 5, 2010 by papercraftplanet When I saw this blog post from Kelleigh Ratzlaff, I KNEW what I wanted to do for 3d [...]
You are such an inspiration Kel! I have only one envelope right now and it’s for a dream vacation to Italy for ME! THis is a true luxury and I will only feel not guilty about taking this trip if I can pay for it myself KWIM? Knowing what I am saving for and how special it is to me, I have been *gasp* turning away easily from the “treats” I might usually fall for. Now household budgeting…..surely not as glamorous as vacations but SO right on in how we need to live these days. I am definitely going to print out your template and get smarter with our money! TFS your tempalte and your journey!
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What a wonderful tutorial. My husband and I are doing FPU as well and it’s always slightly embarrassing whipping out that big brown padded envelope holder. This would solve it….except I’m a lover of the lines. If you don’t have lines on your envelopes, how do you keep track of what you spent? Any thoughts on doing a printable with lines?
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Kelleigh Reply:
January 5th, 2010 at 5:14 pm
Lacie, I think I’ll do a little freebie add-on pack. Check back soon! Perhaps and envelope with lines . . . .
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Steve in W MA Reply:
December 15th, 2010 at 10:34 am
Don’t be embarrassed by your envelopes. I work behind a retail counter and actually the first thing I think when someone whips out a cash envelope (it’s not that common, though) is that they are smart, take care of themselves, and are on top of things.
I admit that I may be a minority.
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Your envelopes ROCK!! My husband works for Dave and we have been doing cash envelopes for years. These are definitely the prettiest I’ve seen
Thanks for sharing and inspiring so many women to GO GREEN!
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To vicki – I had the online shopping dilemma too since I am a big online shopper. What I do when I shop online is put in on the credit card and then immediately take the money out of the appropriate envelope and put a sticky note on it with what it was for – i.e. $25 Amazon Christmas – or something like that. It goes into the bill basket and when the cc bill comes I deposit the cash with the paychecks and pay the bill in full.
It sounds like a lot of steps (and probably is), but it works for us right now anyway and still allows the best of both worlds!
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Can’t tell you how awesome it was to read thru this and learn something new, but also to see so many great CTMH products used! AWESOME!
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We’re trying cash envelopes for the first time in January. It’s going pretty well so far! Here’s my question – what do you do about change/coins? It keeps falling out of the envelopes, but if I put it somewhere else, there’s no way I’m going to remember which envelope it goes with.
Thoughts?
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Kelleigh Reply:
January 5th, 2010 at 5:16 pm
This is why I don’t use the running balance idea! I actually just put all of my change in the zippered pouch in my wallet, and then use the change to purchase smaller items or to round out a total.
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Jessica Reply:
January 5th, 2010 at 8:03 pm
One thing I do for change is use it as another way to save. I just round up whatever the price was (ex. write down $14 for a $13.67 purchase)when I write it on the lines (another lover of the lines!) Then I put the coins in a dish at home. Eventually we’ll roll it and deposit it into savings. This works for us!
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Kelleigh Reply:
January 5th, 2010 at 9:12 pm
GREAT idea!!
this is beautiful!! I was poo pooing the envelope system, but this is so great I may reconsider. Thank you sooo much!
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I’m just starting the envelope system…if you decided to make a set and sell them to me I’d be more then happy! They look great!
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Kelleigh Reply:
January 5th, 2010 at 5:18 pm
So many people have suggested this! How funny! Should I open an Etsy shop? LOL!
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Chrys Reply:
October 10th, 2010 at 6:27 pm
Ever decide to open that etsy shop? Most of my pityful Dave envelopes have fallen apart, but still afraid of buying the supplies and not getting it right
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We use the concept of the cash system, only we do it on the computer. We have “virtual” envelopes, so to speak. But we have a zero based budget, and it has literally changed our lives! So, since we don’t do the cash system, I think I’m going to try to adapt this idea for my coupons!
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LOVE it! Thanks!!
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What a fun idea! We have been doing the envelope thing since WAYYYY before we had even heard of Dave Ramsey. A guy Ron Blue came to our church one Sunday and taught this idea and we’ve been doing it ever since. But ohhhhhh how much more fun to have pretty envelopes!
We even have our boys do it for clothing, entertainment and gifts. It is a great lesson to teach your children.
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VERY cute!!! I have the Dave Ramsey envelope system, but it’s not nearly as pretty as yours!
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Wow! I was just thinking how boring and plain my Dave Ramsey envelopes are! I love ‘em, but I will definitely LOVE these more! Thanks for the beautiful idea! I also love how you slipped them into your regular wallet — brilliant!
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Thanks so much for the wonderful freebie. I love digiscrapping and we are starting the envelope system on Friday so this will be a fun projct. Thanks again!
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I love this! We have been doing TMM for 3 months and I would love these super cute envelopes. I know you show how to do it, but I am super busy and have no desire to make one myself. Will you sell them?
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Kelleigh Reply:
January 5th, 2010 at 9:14 pm
Well, if some wonderful papercraft company out there wants to send me a digital cutting machine, I would consider selling them. I hope to get one this year!! In the meantime, I doubt it. I love the idea, though!
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Thank you for sharing your template and how to make your envelopes so pretty! I will be doing this. I hate pulling out a plain white envelope to pay. It’s soooo boring!
Nicole
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Thank you SO much – can’t wait to make this!
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We just recently started using the cash system and reading/listening to Dave Ramsey, and I too was not liking the plain Jane envelopes. My husband bought me a tabbed wallet for Christmas which I LOVE but I may have to make some of these for those other categories I don’t carry with me everyday. Thanks for sharing the free template Kelleigh!
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Thank you for this tutorial! It will be useful for so many other things besides the cash envelopes! I love it.
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LOVE these! Have you ever tried to have them laminated? It helps them hold up longer and reinforces the seams.
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Kelleigh Reply:
January 5th, 2010 at 9:15 pm
I was just telling my husband that I would have liked that!! Put them together, then get them laminated with the top flap open. Slit the envelope open, and voila!! Love this idea! Maybe I’ll get tired of this paper and want a new set for the summer. LOL!
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[...] A few years ago I took Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace University classes at my church. I learned a lot and have implemented many of Dave’s tips, but one tip I have not followed is Dave’s rule for paying with cash. I prefer to use my debit card so that I can keep track of my purchases. Perhaps I would have more money if I used the cash system. For those of you that pay with cash or are thinking of using the system, you’ll want to check out Kelleigh’s free template and tutorial for pretty cash envelopes. [...]
Did you see this was featured on moneysavingmom.com? You go girl! So proud to know ya!
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So excited to also get rid of my nice accordian coupon type envelope system. Love the 2 sided scrapbook paper (need some of that for sure with this). Can you tell me how to make the labels for my own categories; how to type in there what I need them to say before I print them? I downloaded, now what?
) I guess how to work with them. So excited to get started I’m having a hard time wanting to go to bed, now that I’m motivated. Trying to figure out what tools I do have in my scrapbooking stash that will work with what tools you referred to, like the ‘crop o dial’? and ‘bone folder’? – I’m not quite sure I know what these are, but sure would like to have them 
)
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Kelleigh Reply:
January 6th, 2010 at 9:30 am
Hi Michelle! I just spend A LOT of time trying to put these categories into a Word doc so you can modify them, but it has been too long since I have worked in Word! LOL! Whew! I much prefer Photoshop. Anyway, if you have Photoshop, you can always open this document in Photoshop. I’m guessing that you don’t though. One low-tech way to get your own categories on the doc is to print out my sheet like normal. (No need to type in anything extra in the boxes. Go with your default printer settings.) Then, in Word (or another word processing program) type your categories, leaving plenty of space in between each one. Print, then punch out with a slightly smaller punch so you can still see my “stamp”. Of course, you can make is even easier by disregarding my labels completely!! LOL!
I think I’m going to take requests as to the most common categories and make up a new sheet for people to download. These are just the ones I use! OH, and I’ll link up the Crop-o-dile and bone folder in my Amazon Widget in a second! Of course, you could always use a hole punch and a butter knife!
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Michelle Reply:
January 6th, 2010 at 9:13 pm
No, I don’t have photoshop on here. I have not checked my laptop, but don’t think I have it on there either
( Just in case you are wanting my categories to pick from 
) mine are: grocery, dining, gas, recreation, movie rental, clothing, pets, snack milk, gifts, housing, chores, vacation, medical/dental, auto insurance, petty cash.
Can you explain to me what that means when you said you will ‘link up the Crop-o-dile in your Amazon Widget’? I bet everyone is getting a kick out of how clueless I am, lol.
One more thing if I possibly can’t bother you enough, but when I went to print off the template, it did not just give me lines but a very faint grayscale type of background covering the majority of the paper. I know I must have done something wrong, but just not sure what. I picked the Adobe Reader file to print from (the only one I saw with just lines). I did print it on plain white paper and then saw that so decided to just cut from the white paper then I layed it on the pretty paper and traced (of course not with as much neatness as I would prefer, but I have one cute little candy striped envelope
)
Thank you so much – sorry to be so long – you are so sweet for your inspiration and help!
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Kelleigh Reply:
January 6th, 2010 at 9:22 pm
Michelle, THANK YOU for your categories! I was just fixing up a new sheet for everyone!
And, if you look in my right hand margin, there is a long banner-type Amazon ad with My Recommendations on it. If you click around in there, you’ll find the Crop-o-dile. However, I did link up the name up in my post, too! (I guess that is easier, huh?)
I really have no idea why you are getting the grayscale. Does anyone else know?
These are beautiful!! My friend gave us the wallet with plain ol’ envelopes last Christmas. Just about worn out now (I don’t like/use the lines either!) She goes through envelopes quickly (line lover), so I think I am going to whip up some of these for her as well as another friend who doesn’t seem to love the envelope system yet!! Thanks for a great idea!!
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Wow, great idea. I love your envelope book. Thanks for the free template. I might have to try the envelope system. You are so right about everything you said about using those credit cards.
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So very gorgeous. Thank you so much for sharing!!!
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I LOVE IT!! Would you ever make some to sell?
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Kelleigh Reply:
January 6th, 2010 at 9:37 am
All of this love and many requests to sell has me thinking about it, however I think I will need some new software and new equipment to make it happen without killing myself. I’m HOPING to get a digital cutter! If I do open up an Etsy shop (and I said IF!), I’ll let everyone know! Thanks so much for the encouragement!! This is too funny!!
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Thank you so much for sharing your template – my friends at http://www.pinchapennynook.blogspot.com shared your site. Thanks again!
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I am so sharing this with my FPU students during my classes this year. So cute! I wanted a cuter envelope system and now I am so using the extra scrapbook paper that I was going to sell in my yard sale!
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Please help. I can’t figure out how to download the template. What am i doing wrong? Love this idea by the way!!!
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Kelleigh Reply:
January 6th, 2010 at 10:43 am
You “bought” it from the store, right? Now, make sure you are logged in to The Digichick, click on Orders History and select This Month. Click on Processed. Click on Download. It should download to wherever you keep your downloads. I have mine defaulted to my desktop, but some have it in My Documents. Find the file (might have to do a search of your computer), then right click and open or double click to unzip it. Then, open the pdf version and print it by clicking on the printer icon. Hope that helps!! Let me know!
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Regina Reply:
January 6th, 2010 at 11:02 am
Thank you so much!!! I got it to work!
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I LOVE how wonderful these look! I would love to start using this system. Do you happen to have a link that tells about the envelope system? I have viewed Dave Ramsey’s website but can’t seem to find this sytem. Thanks!
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There is no “add to cart” option. It says it is out of stock.
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Kelleigh Reply:
January 6th, 2010 at 1:17 pm
Oh, good grief! That means over 1000 downloads! I’ve just reset it, so try again!
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Katrina in Wa Reply:
January 6th, 2010 at 1:47 pm
That worked. But I should warn you- the counter at the bottom of the page suggested that there were over 700 users on the site. I have seen your article reposted to at least 5 different places now. This one may keep you busy!
Thank you so much. These are so darling!
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Katrina in Wa Reply:
January 6th, 2010 at 1:47 pm
Not reposted- linked- everyone is linking to you today!
[...] when I saw Kelleigh’s Envelope System, my heart fluttered. Yes, it [...]
thank you so much. i love your stuff. i’m so happy i saw you on money saving mom. i can’t wait to make this.
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I am definitely bookmarking this! We start 13 weeks of Dave Ramsey tonight. Thank you!
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I LOVE YOU!!! I’ve had the DR envelope system and wallet for the past year (got it in red) and love it but the envelopes are just so plain. I’m setting aside some time this weekend and prettying up my DR wallet.
Thanks so much for sharing with us!!!
Nancy
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[...] the year fresh! Love it. 3d43, is made from envelope templates (free) & tutorial from Kelleigh Ratzlaff. I used K&Co Blue Awning 2 sided PP & the [...]
Thanks again for this template! Quick question: does cardstock work as well as regular paper? I’m thinking I need something a little sturdier than regular scrapbooking paper…
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Kelleigh Reply:
January 6th, 2010 at 6:15 pm
You know, I haven’t tried it with this template! I would imagine that it would make my wallet pretty bulky, though. What I wish I had done, just to make the paper sturdier, is laminate the envelopes with the flap open, then cut the slit to slip in cash. However, the regular scrapbook paper is about the same weight as my ugly white envelopes, so I think they will last for a while!
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I simply fail to understand why people have to follow people like Dave Ramsey and buy his books,seminars..and simply fill up his pockets just to learn how to manage money. It isn’t that hard folks !! Just common sense .and this self righteous idiot is now a millionaire because he had this brilliant idea.
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Kelleigh Reply:
January 6th, 2010 at 6:23 pm
LOL! You’re so right that this stuff is common sense!! It still feels good to practice common sense AND great envelope style. (And, notice that I am giving others a non-Dave envelope alternative? Hee, hee!)
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Envelope Budget Software Reply:
January 6th, 2010 at 10:38 pm
“Self righteous idiot”? Wow, that is pretty harsh. Anyone that can package and sell common sense and become an millionaire hardly seems idiotic to me. Sounds like someone is jealous.
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Thank you so much for posting this template! My friend and I made ours in an afternoon of hanging out today. If you would like to see ours, I blogged about it here: http://livelaughlovehousehold.blogspot.com/2010/01/envelope-cash-system-made-pretty.html
We altered ours, since we didn’t have a place in our wallets for the insert like you did. We worked it so that the envelopes are pretty much self contained, similar to an expanding file folder. I’m really loving it already, and looking forward to using it!! Thanks again!
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Thank you sooo much! I am so excited to make these. I have been using the envelope system, but can’t wait to “prettify” them! I appreciate your generosity and wish you the best in 2010!
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Wow, you are very creative! That has to be the “prettiest” envelope system I have ever seen. But the real question is, does it help you stick with it?
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Hey there,
This is great! I’m so not creative, and don’t have the supplies to make this, will you be open to making me one and I’ll pay for it?? Thanks!
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[...] The best part is that you can do this too because she has a complete tutorial on her site. Click here to see detailed instructions on how to make this [...]
You’re a GENIUS!!!!
I’ve been using Dave Ramsey’s envelope system for years. I actually have the old original system (tan w/ tan paper envelopes inside) and it’s gotten pretty ragged over the years. I’m too cheap to spring for his deluxe version (even when it’s $10!), so this is just perfect! Thank you so much!
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Thank you! My purse and wallet both gave out on me. With mighty mend-it and your envelope tools, I’ll be back in business! We’re working on getting rid of a lot of debt, so this should help. Thank you.
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I was wanting to start a cash system but had no idea where to start. Now I do and it’s gonna but cute. I love that. Thank you so much!
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[...] Ratzlaff Designs: Free Envelope Template and a Tutorial! (pretty cash envelopes for all you crafty types) (ahem) Gail Vaz-Oxlade: Why Are You in Debt? [...]
I made my envelopes today and it was so easy. I can’t wait to show my husband. We have been using small accordion holders for our cash but once I pull it out and go to run errands, I have a hard time tracking what is grocery, gas, miscellaneous money. Thanks for the free template.
And thanks for posting on my blog. It is silly but I felt like I just met a celebrity. From what I have seen so far, I love your templates. I have most of the materials already and the projects aren’t too time consuming.
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[...] Envelope System Tutorial Tutorial for some super cute budget envelopes if you use the Dave Ramsey envelope system. I think this would also work great to use with coupons for people (like me) who don’t like to take in the giant coupon binder and would rather have coupons in a smaller notebook or wallet. [...]
[...] me on Twitter! Thanks for visiting!I am excited and kinda overwhelmed at the response my lovely free envelope template is receiving from the blogging community. THANK YOU for all of the comments and the many, many, [...]
[...] Free Envelope Template and Tutorial – Okay everyone is talking about Dave Ramsey and his envelope system. I would highly recommend you looking at his stuff if you haven’t before. But Kelleigh has oned up his envelope system by making it cute. I downloaded the template just for my everyday use too!! So wonderful! [...]
what gorgeous envelopes you have in your wallet! I gave up after not finding anything to use for my cash categories. If I was a bit crafty, I’d follow your tutorial…..so count me in as an immediate customer if you ever decide to sell these!
I may try a stationery store to see if they have some gorgeous envelopes I can buy and then put into a wallet myself. meanwhile, I’ll just *sigh* over your gorgeous wallet and envelopes!
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[...] Kelleigh is offering the. most. adorable. envelope. system. templates. FREE!!! [...]
[...] home, here is another incentive to do it. Kelleigh from Kelleigh Ratzlaff Designs is offering up free templates and a tutorial for making your own envelope system using scrapbook paper you may already have around the house. [...]
[...] thinking about saving money! Kelleigh Ratzlaff has some awesome envelope templates on her blog that are totally free and you can get as creative as you want with the paper you use for them! She [...]
Hi!
Thanks for this great tutorial. Just wanted to let you know that I am featuring your website and this tutorial in my office organization newsletter that will be going out on Monday!
Thanks for putting this together.
Be blessed!
Molly Green
Econobusters.com
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How cool! We have been on the envelope system for about eight years. We are definitely living like no one else now. I have thought in passing about doing something different for my envelopes since the once we get from Dave wear out. I thought about making them from duct tape. This is a much prettier option. Thanks!
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[...] hands.) If pretty envelopes would help motivate you, though, then by all means, knock yourself out. Kelleigh Ratzlaff Designs offers a fabulous, free tutorial on how to make some gorgeous envelopes, if you’re crafty [...]
[...] find a full tutorial and printable template over at Kelleigh’s site – all for [...]
Oh.. this is adorable.. have you submitted it to TIP NUT??? They would love it!!! Sorry if you have already…I try to pay attention to all the crafts that go through.. but sometimes I miss them… Ü
TFS!!
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Thank you! I have made a version of this before and I really like your take on it. It is much more beautiful than mine.
The only thing I will do different is run my envelopes through a Xyron machine first and laminate them. Then I will take a craft knife and carefully cut where the opening is on the envelope. That way they will not break as easily. That was the problem I was having with regular envelopes and why I tried to create something to begin with.
I’m excited to get stated and make this!
Thank you again!!
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Kelleigh Reply:
January 18th, 2010 at 12:20 pm
Chelle, I was thinking the same thing! I don’t have a Xyron, but I think I’ll take my next batch of envelopes to the local print shop to be laminated. They would last much longer, and I could use an overhead projector pen to write in categories on the blank labels. LOVE the idea!
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Beautiful! Thanks for sharing!!! I’m doing cash too. Go Green!!
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Wow, obviously I am not alone in this opinion but that tutorial is just awesome! I love that idea!!!!! I just quickly perused it but now I need to find the time to really look at it because there are so many cool things you can do with this project. Thank you so much for sharing it!!!!!
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[...] me on Twitter! Thanks for visiting!The last few months, as I’ve been couponing and using the cash system, have been truly life changing in many ways. I’ll spare you the deep stuff for today, and [...]
[...] week I spotted this post and Kelleigh’s LOVELY paper envelopes! I was so excited after learning that I could make [...]
I took the Dave Ramsey Financial Peace University course a year ago with my oldest son…It has changed our lives…I love hearing that others are using this method too. I bought a new Jeep last year and it will be paid in full by the end of this year. Then comes the house. It is an over $300,000 home and it will be paid off in a little over 4 years. We have lived in it for 3 years and purchased it brand new. What a great program.
Good luck to you.. blessings.
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[...] on a similar DIY craft-sy theme, earlier this month MoneySavingMom had posted about Kelleigh’s free envelope template and tutorial (no sewing required, this is a paper craft). This is great if you are using the envelope system [...]
[...] week, the last week of the month I had $6 left. Yeah. See why I need to make Kelleigh’s envelopes? Really we didn’t need much though, so I went to the store with just my $6 and a Ziploc of [...]
This is awesome! Thank you so much for sharing. I work an envelope system similar to this and never thought of creating the envelopes myself.
Thanks again for sharing this!
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[...] this one she includes a custom envelope template and tutorial. In the tutorial she makes her own version of the Envelope System. How great is that? And so easy [...]
[...] cold hard cash, and therefore, we spend less. Seeing as the frugal blogosphere has been abuzz with Kelleigh’s envelopes, featuring envelopes on the cake only made perfect sense. Only hers are way cuter than [...]
[...] you motivated). And, for those of you who don’t get our weekly newsletter, you missed these free envelope template and tutorial from from Kelleigh Ratzlaff Designs. These are beautiful and would be so fun to [...]
[...] you motivated). And, for those of you who don’t get our weekly newsletter, you missed these free envelope template and tutorial from from Kelleigh Ratzlaff Designs. These are beautiful and would be so fun to [...]
Thank you so much for this template. I knew I had to make these as soon as I saw them (found you from Life As Mom).
Here is a link to my end results, I think mine turned out pretty well!
Pinch The Penny – A New Wallet & A New Way of Saving Money
Thanks again!!
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[...] envelope template (I downloaded Kelleigh’s for the purpose of making a Dave Ramsey-esque envelope system. I ended up using it for this project [...]
This is great, thanks so much for sharing. I am looking forward to making some pretty envelopes!
After a year of doing the envelope system, my purse has quite abused my plain envelopes. I love the idea of putting them in my actual wallet!
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Thank you so much for the free template and fantastic tutorial! This spread like wildfire through a message board I follow- we all use coupons and many of us use Dave Ramsey’s envelope system as well. I finally got around to making mine today and it turned out sooo cute!
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This is so cool and considering that we are now making 54% less than the previous 2 years; this is so going to come in handy. Thank you so much for sharing this with us!
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Thank you so much for the great idea Kelleigh! My husband and I just decided last night to start using the envelope system and ditch the credit cards, a little scary tough but I’m up for the challenge, the good thing is that i have been on a tight budget and using coupons since April last year, so now this envelopes are motivating to go cash only! Thanks again!
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[...] got the idea from Kelliegh Ratzlaff Designs via Life as Mom. Not as cute but better than I had [...]
Awesome!! Thanks so much for sharing!!!!!!!!
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I just made them and love them! My husband even thought it was a pretty cool idea. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
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[...] Well, I don’t really know what happened, but the Week 4 grocery envelope emptied out really fast last week. Oh, yeah. I remember what happened. I got cocky and bought a bunch of meat last week. Hmm. Well, I was down to my last $1.25 (not enough to buy Sunday papers, darn it!) and yet there were deals CALLING MY NAME! I stole from the haircut envelope last night. I did. However, we got paid today, so I paid the envelope back. I just LOVE my pretty cash envelopes!! [...]
These are so super! I am so excited to have pretty in my wallet! I also linked to you from my blog. I just know so many ladies who would love to make these adorable envelopes. Great for home-made cards, too!
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[...] Ratzlaff Design has a FREE envelope template and tutorial for those of you using the envelope system for budgeting. You might as well budget in style [...]
[...] let’s move onto assembling the envelopes which go inside the clutch. Kelleigh wrote a great tutorial on [...]
[...] She created the most adorable little clutch to hold her cash envelopes using my free envelope template. [...]
[...] on the paper. I then cut the template out, and put them together. Please go to Kelleigh’s Web site for more detailed info. She has a ton of other stuff over there, too. Totally awesome [...]
[...] dinner (which we paid for with my grocery envelope surplus), we swung by Safeway to take advantage of the weekend-only sales. They were decent. [...]
Very cool! I’m doing this for March! Can’t wait to see how it turns out!
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[...] week, the last week of the month I had $6 left. Yeah. See why I need to make Kelleigh’s envelopes? Really we didn’t need much though, so I went to the store with just my $6 and a Ziploc of [...]
[...] I’ve gone shopping (thanks to Dave Ramsey’s encouragement). But I should have made Kelleigh’s weekly envelopes because I didn’t pace myself as well as I should have, and spent too much at the beginning of [...]
[...] I’ve gone shopping (thanks to Dave Ramsey’s encouragement). But I should have made Kelleigh’s weekly envelopes because I didn’t pace myself as well as I should have, and spent too much at the beginning of [...]
[...] save that food money for next week! Remember you only have a little left? You REALLY need to make Kelleigh’s envelopes. Besides, it’s raining and you don’t want to pack three kids into the van just to get a [...]
[...] on my templates! You can also follow me on Twitter! Thanks for visiting!Remember that little envelope template and tutorial that I posted a while back? Well, it’s received a bit of attention (understatement of the [...]
[...] inspiration for the wallets started when I saw this post! I didn’t have a wallet to put my new envelopes in, so I made my own! Soon, Kelleigh left [...]
I’VE BEEN TRYING TO PRINT OUT THE ENVELOPE TEMPLATE, BUT CAN’T SEEM TO FIND THE PRINT OR DOWNLOAD BUTTON. WHAT AM I DOING WRONG? I LOVE THEM, BY THE WAY…KARI
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Kelleigh Reply:
March 18th, 2010 at 10:03 pm
Kari, did you already “purchase” the template from my store? (It’s still free!!) If so, you need to download it to your desktop, unzip it and then open it with Adobe Acrobat Reader. You can see the instructions here: http://www.thehybridchick.com/printing-templates/
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KARI Reply:
March 18th, 2010 at 10:11 pm
NO, I DIDN’T, BUT I WILL TRY THAT FIRST, THANKS!! IF I STILL HAVE PROBLEMS, I’LL LET YA KNOW. KARI
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KARI Reply:
March 18th, 2010 at 10:41 pm
THAT DID THE TRICK….THANKX AGAIN!!
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[...] you were looking for! While you are at my blog, go enter my current giveaway, and check out my free cash envelope template and tutorial! Look around and make yourself at [...]
[...] recently, I was inspired by this post on Kelleigh Ratzlaff’s site. (I don’t actually know her, have never seen her site before this post, and wish I was as [...]
[...] to make your envelopes fancy schmancy? Check out this SUPER CUTE tutorial on how to make the CUTEST envelopes for your wallet! I am in love with it, it makes my heart go [...]
Thank so much for this!! These are adorable!!
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Wow, the two sided tape thing is so cool! I don’t scrapbook, but found your site when it was posted on another site. When I saw the tape, I just knew this is an item I have to have! I used to be able to get free double sided tape from my ex husband who was able to get the butt ends of large roles from his work place (they needed to discard short roles). I used to use the double sided tape to wrap gifts because it looked so much neater than any other tape. Now that I’ve seen your tape, I’ll be heading to the scrapbook section of the store to pick some up!
Thanks for sharing!
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[...] CLICK HERE FOR THE ENVELOPE CRAFT [...]
[...] A gorgeous envelope system, as recommended by Dave Ramsey {from Kelleigh’s Designs} [...]
[...] Cash Envelope System Tutorial: Learn how to make designer-style envelopes & holder for the cash envelope budgeting system. Free template download available (requires signup information). [...]
Thank you so much – I have never seen some of your crafts before and they are very unique. I hope I can collect them in time. I love what you’ve done with the envelope project – ingenious!
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[...] now, I have $2 in my grocery envelope to last me until the 15th. Oops!! But, seriously. Did you expect me to pass up these [...]
Thank you for these fabulous directions and the downloads. My daughter did something similar to this at Christmas, but just for Christmas shopping. Can’t wait to make this for her for all the time!
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[...] what it will do is slightly shrink whatever is on your page so that it fits. Remember that free envelope template I gave out? Some people were printing it out and then declaring that it didn’t actually fit [...]
[...] I confess that I broke my $5 Garage Sale Budget rule. See, I usually only allot myself $5 (out of Kelleigh’s Fun Money envelope) to spend at garage sales. My thought is that if it costs more than $5, then it is probably not [...]
[...] fastmommie 2. http://kelleighratzlaff.com/ 3. scrappinmimi 4. attegirl 5. dirt-track-widow 6. beccajeanne 7. berlinerin 8. identicaltriplets [...]
[...] 09/07/2010 Uma dica ótima, para organizar as contas na própria carteira. Faça com a técnica de scrapbook, envelopes para carregar as notinhas, e levar a grana já separadinha. Neste blog, além de fotos de passo a passo, tem também, as etiquetas para colar, e molde do envelope, e a maneira como montar tudo. Adorei, adorei, adorei. Confira o blog, clicando aqui. [...]
Hello, i am the owner of pastisold.com.Thank’s for sharing this post.This is very helpful and informative material.Good post and keep it up dude.
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Do you mind if I share this on my blog?? I made this a few months ago for myself, and now want to share it. Please let me know via e-mail if you will let me share.
Thanks!
Mommy of Two 24/7
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[...] (If you’re crafty there’s even ways to make your own and have some fun like here and here. Check out etsy.com and search “cash envelope system” for some really unique ones like [...]
I want one of these, but don’t have a creative bone in my body. Do you sell them?
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Kelleigh Reply:
August 19th, 2010 at 9:08 am
I don’t right now! I’m totally swamped! Maybe this fall, when the boys go back to school! I’ll be sure to announce it on my blog.
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[...] of my Safeway deals (just for some inspiration), or you can check out my popular post about the cash envelope system that I use (and [...]
I have been looking for this forever! Thank you so much, I am heading our to Michaels and JoAnn’s (out of my slush fund, of course!) to make these. Awesome and Blessings for posting this!
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Is this template supposed to make envelopes that are the size of a dollar bill not folded? I went to Hobby Lobby, got my paper, card stock, ribbon, etc. made one but it’s too small for cash to fit in unless it’s folded over. Did I do something wrong?
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Debi, if your printer doesn’t shrink the template, then it should fit a dollar bill with a little room to spare. Your printer probably shrunk it! Most printers will let you change the settings so that it leaves your project alone. You just have to remember to do it every time!
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[...] After you have come up with a budget (and I’ll talk more about budgeting in another post), you need to start an envelope for every category on your budget sheet. You can use plain business envelopes (this is what we do), use a small accordion file, or if you’re crafty, you can even make ones! Here’s great a tutorial on how to make them Homemade Envelope Tutorial [...]
Kelleigh, I have to share that I was/am super excited to have found this link. Our family recently started using Dave Ramsey’s methods. It took us about a month to discuss/create our budget (thankfully there were no blows thrown) and we cancelled my personal/business credit cards. I have never withdrawn so much money from the ATM all at once in my life. (It was $400 for our first two weeks of groceries). It was so weird walking into the store (didn’t have our envelopes with us) and paying with cash. Our bill was under $40 but it still felt foreign. I placed the remaining change back in my purse and couldn’t wait to take the money out of my wallet and place it safely in it’s envelope. We currently have the standard white envelopes and I initially came on here to find some cute templates to use with our Avery labels. I absolutely LOVE your envelope idea. I am even more excited about being able to have them neatly inside my wallet. Thank you so much!!!
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Kelleigh Reply:
November 1st, 2010 at 10:00 am
YAY! I’m so glad you found this, too, Shel! Good luck on your money makeover!! It really does end up being a lot of fun to see how LITTLE you can live on!
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Hi! I love these envelopes and would really like to make them, but can’t seem to open the template. Is it still free? If not, where can I purchase the template? Thanks so much for this post! We just started Dave Ramsey’s Envelope system as well and this is exactly what I need to add to my wallet. I didn’t want to purchase a new wallet, but was struggling with the paper envelopes you get at the bank!
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Kristin Reply:
November 10th, 2010 at 8:11 pm
Nevermind…I figured it out! Hip Hip Hooray!
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[...] my wallet. (Don’t worry. It’s not a lot of cash! LOL!) You can still pick up the free cash envelope template that I did a little tutorial with way back in January 2010, and create your own!! (Or, if you [...]
Love this envelope template. This is a wonderful idea! Thanks so much!
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I love your idea! Had problems downloading the envelope – so I opened up a regular envelope and used that template. I made my envelopes out of Christmas cardstock and bound them the way you showed in your tutorial (which was GREAT!), and am going to use them for my Christmas shopping this year. I put the names of who I am shopping for instead of the “catagory”. They turned out so well that if there is any money left in there at Christmas, I can put the entire envelope in their stocking!Maybe this will be the first year I stay on budget! And they all fit neatly in my wallet! Thanks so much!
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one more thing! As I was putting the money in the envelopes I also realized that as I purchase thigs, I can put the receipt (or gift receipt) in the envelope and even if there is no money left, I can still give the person the receipt for any items they may need to return or exchange. Thanks again for such a great idea!
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I just made mine (almost a year after this was posted!) and love love love it! Thank you for sharing. I showed it to my mom and sisters, and I think they will jump on the bandwagon, too!
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Thank you! I’ve been meaning to make my own envelope system/wallet and now I’m more motivated!
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Thanks for the template & tutorial. I’ve been wanting to try the cash envelope thing for a while. This gives me a little more motivation to do so
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Oh so pretty!! Once I get used to the envelope system, I’m totally going to make my own envelopes! Thank you for the pretties!
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[...] The first month I started couponing (September 2009), I kept our grocery budget at $400, even though I knew that extreme couponers were spending WAY less than that. I shopped the stock-up sales (according to the blogs I read), but I also had to feed my family! For that first month, I continued to shop at Winco for the basics (it’s the only grocery store in my area with consistent super-low prices). However, in that first month, I was able to stock up on lots of cereal, granola bars, frozen veggies and more from the high-end grocery stores that have gimmic sales (Safeway, Albertsons, etc.). Guess what I didn’t have to buy in month 2? I ended up with money leftover in my grocery envelope. [...]
I guess I should have made a test envelope before I made them all. Well actually I did make a test envelope, but forgot to test it by putting money in it. I’m sure it’s my printer but my envelopes came out just slightly small. A bill doesn’t exactly fit. So a reminder to everyone before they make all the envelopes…TEST IT to make sure your printer is printing true.
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HELP! I can’t seem to find where to download!
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Kelleigh Reply:
December 31st, 2010 at 5:46 pm
Dianne, if you click on the link above, it will take you to my store where you can get it for free!
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Very cool project! Thanks for the great tutorial.
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The template looks really cool, but it says Out of Stock in the store…
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Bethany Reply:
March 5th, 2011 at 8:17 pm
Thank you! We are starting the envelope plan and I really wanted some cute envelopes! Even though the stores says “Out of Stock” it will still let you download the file by clicking the link.
Consider me a new reader!
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Made this today :] Thanks so much for the tutorial!!!
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Thanks a lot for this project!
))
It´s very good inspiration for me
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This post made me smile!!
As I was reading it, I was thinking “hmmm, I’ll have to see if I can find something like that for my SCAL program to use with my fancy-schmancy Cricut. and voila! You have them! 
And when I got to the site to buy them, I realized why I recognized your name (I came from a link on $5 Dinners) ~~ It’s because you’re a digi-designer! I used to scrapbook a LOT (no time anymore!) and digi is my favorite way.
Thank you for the free templates, and I just have to decide if I want the tabbed or original envie’s, to buy.
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[...] A while back, I encountered a dressed-up, home-crafted version of the envelope book, at Creativity in Progress and Jar and Jug. Both used the template (and, at least to a degree, the tutorial) posted by Kelleigh Ratzlaff. [...]
I just made some of these for my family as we’ve been working through Dave’s FPU and I think he’s finally convinced us to use cash…
The envelopes turned out great! Thanks for posting this! I can’t wait to start using them.
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Thank you so much for this! My sister asked me to make her some envies for her wallet, but I just wasn’t inspired by what I was making. These are perfect and she loves that they insert into her checkbook slot! I’m making up some of these for her and then some for a friend of hers. Thanks again!
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[...] is still wrapped up in the box} what did I do today? Peruse cash wallets on Etsy and online DIY tutorials for customized cash [...]
About how long did this take to make? Some ladies from church were considering getting together and having a party to make them. Thanks!!
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Kelleigh Reply:
May 27th, 2011 at 11:56 am
Kristen, it depends on how long it takes for the ladies to cut the envelopes out. I used a craft knife, and I’m pretty good at it, so I probably cut all 10 in about 30 minutes or less. The rest is a piece of cake. I once had a little “party” with 2 friends to make these, and even after doing most of the work myself, I was able to crank out 3 sets in about 1 hour. I’d say, go for it! BUT, make sure they bring scrapbooking (microtip)scissors instead of sewing scissors, if they plan to cut with scissors!
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[...] Free Cash Envelope System - Template and tutorial on how to create a cash envelop system. I am looking at starting to use cash only to keep our spending in check. [...]
Kelleigh – is it possible for you to give instructions on editing the categories in photoshop elements. I’ve been a scrapbooker for years, but I’m a little new to this digital thing.
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Kelleigh Reply:
June 3rd, 2011 at 7:40 am
I think I only included a PDF file (but it’s so long ago that I could be wrong!!). Here are the basics: Open the file up in Photoshop. Hit “D” to make sure your colors go back to the default. Hit “T” to select the Type Tool. Start typing and change the font as needed. You can also choose the eraser tool “E” to erase the words that I put on some of the labels, and then add your own type by following the above instructions! THEN, just print it out directly from Photoshop. Hope that helps!! I can totally recommend Jessica Sprague classes if you are interested in learning digital scrapbooking! She even has free tutorials, but the classes are well worth the money. She taught me everything I know about digiscrap!! http://www.jessicasprague.com/
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I adore your wp design, exactly where do you down load it through?
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[...] pulling a $50 out of the “fun envelope” (we are trying the envelope system and I made one of these to help me) Came home–and went through junk drawers and FOUND another battery charger!!! [...]
[...] $10…and it’s cute! (Note: I can’t give myself credit for this idea, I saw it here, and then added my own [...]
[...] digital scrapbook designer and Safeway shopping guru. In December 2009, Kelleigh designed a template for trendy and feminine envelopes that fit in the Dave Ramsey envelope systems and gave it away for free. I thought it was perfect, but there was NO WAY I was going to bust out [...]
[...] and pay cash for them instead of on credit. I came across this on Pinterest and wanted to try the tutorial to get us [...]
What wallet is that? it’s so cute!
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Kelleigh Reply:
July 21st, 2011 at 7:11 am
The wallet is the Dave Ramsey brown and blue girl wallet. You can buy it on his website.
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I’m so excited by the envelope template you have provided. We’ve been on Dave Ramsey for a year now and it’s made a huge difference in our spending and how we look at money. I love my red wallet, but new envelopes will make it even cuter! Thanks for making it free too!
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THANK YOU for sharing this pattern & tutorial. My daughter is getting married, and I’m singing the praises of a cash envelope budget to her. This is so much cuter, and more economical, than any others I’ve seen. I’m going to make one for both of us.
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[...] going to attach a few together as she shows in her post for the envelopes I carry with me all the time and use it in place of the checkbook slot in my [...]
Just found this on pinterest! SO CUTE! I can’t wait to make one, thanks for sharing!!
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So nice to know that I was so far ahead of my time! I did actaully write some checks for regular expenses, but for the most part when it was payday [I only got paid once per month!] I would take cash out and when the cash was gone “the party was over”! It is a lot harder to hand over REAL money when you can see the end in sight. Talk about a reality check!!
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I think this is a fabulous idea and I am definitely going to give it a try.
But (and this is certainly off topic)…and I don’t want to sound strange..but your engagement ring and wedding ring look exactly like mine! I had to look several times at the picture (and then down at my own finger to make sure my eyes weren’t deceiving me!
Ok that is all…you can delete this comment if you wish..but I really thought it was super cool that we have the same exact rings!
Lisa.
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Love these! Thank you so much!!!
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Is there any way to make the envelopes shorter? The ones I am printing out are too tall to fit in my wallet. I’ve adjusted the size on photoshop, but if I make them any smaller, the cash won’t fit into them lengthwise. Is there a way to make them more like 3 1/4″ instead of 3 1/2″?
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Thanks for this great tutorial! I just made these and they turned out AWESOME!!! I am more excited than ever to get my envelope system going! Thanks again
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Downloaded the jpg file for my cricut from digichick ! i half glued a button to my envelope, to slip my envelope top in to keep it closed ! i used a heavier cardstock paper, and didnt want to bend my paper to keep it closed lol.. i’ll find somewhere to post a picture in digichick ! thanks so much ! i follow gail vaz oxlade, but her jar system isnt very portable in my purse
this is perfect !
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I am looking to download your free template but it tells me its out of stock. Is there any other way to get this information?
Thank you in advance.
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Ali Reply:
January 5th, 2012 at 5:01 pm
Scratch that – Sorry it just took me a second to download it correctly. Cheers!
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[...] Now that Lee has a real job that seems to be actually paying him! We’re working HARD on the budgeting. We’ve read Dave Ramsey and really agree with his principles. However, nearly 6 years of unemployment or very little employment has done a NUMBER on our finances. This week–1st week of the year–I buckled down and got things written down and organized–and the envelopes set up! I didn’t make these, but they are really cute! Cash envelopes tutorial [...]
[...] from Kelleigh Ratzlaff Designs has created this beautiful Cash Envelope System to keep her financially on [...]
thank you, thank you! Love your website!
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Thanks! Hopefully this will help me rev up to do better, too!
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soft for windows…
[...]FREE Cash Envelope System Template | Kelleigh Ratzlaff Designs[...]…
Thank you for this tutorial. It’s adorable! Dave Ramsey ROCKS! Debt free and saving up for a house and new car.
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Thanks for posting this. I noticed you are selling laminated envelope sets on etsy. I thought about laminating them too but wasn’t sure how to do it. Do you laminate the cut out template prior to assembly? How do you secure the folds if it’s laminated? Thanks for your help!
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Kelleigh Reply:
January 13th, 2012 at 12:56 pm
Hi Lisa! I assemble them first, then laminate, then cut the slit (around the tab) open!
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Thank you for the great tutorial. Made one last night with my son’s watercolour paintings from Kindergarten that I have kept for 15 years! Will Mod Podge the outside.
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[...] Photo Courtesy of Kelleigh [...]
It\’s absolutely amazing article. Thanks.
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[...] digital scrapbook designer and Safeway shopping guru. In December 2009, Kelleigh designed a template for trendy and feminine envelopes that fit in the Dave Ramsey envelope systems and gave it away for free. I thought it was perfect, but there was NO WAY I was going to bust out [...]
[...] love this free template for some cash envelopes! A pack of 8.5″ x 11″ on sale at Michael’s, an exacto knife, some glue, and I [...]
Thank you so much for the cash envelope template. We’ve been doing Dave Ramsey since March 2011. Went through the FPU course, loved it, and got out of debt this last Christmas!! Yay! Anyway, my envelopes are thrashed and I just made all new ones with your template. They’re beautiful. And I’ve reinforced all the edges so I know they’ll last much longer. Thanks again!!
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Love love love these! Thank you for sharing!
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Just wanted to thank you for sharing this. My husband and I just started the FPU classes a few weeks ago and are loving it! I love the idea behind using cash and keeping the envelopes, but like you the ones provided with the kit aren’t that “cool” to be carrying around all the time. I’m so excited to get these made as I’m making my budget for March now!!! Thanks again,
Annie
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[...] kelleighratzlaff.com via Katie on [...]
Which of your designs matches the D Ramsey red wallet the best?
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[...] January 1st, 2010 I participated in a blog hop freebie giveaway where I gave away a FREE Cash Envelope System Template and wrote up a little tutorial explaining how I used it to create some pretty cash envelopes for my [...]
[...] Click here for the source and the template! [...]
[...] with my new envelopes. Good ol’ Dave would be so proud! Go on, check Kelleigh out…her envelopes are [...]
I checked out your etsy store and while I love the idea, I really am not a fan of any of the paper prints you’re selling! Will you be adding any other colors/patterns? Something a bit more simple and classic, perhaps?
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Hey, thanks for the tutorial! What BEAUTIFUL envelopes!! While I never carry cash (I’d rather be racking up air miles) I thought they’d be great for coupons, receipts, tickets, etc. At Michaels yesterday I bought a stack of scrapbook paper (they were even on sale! 20 cents/sheet!) and went to work. I don’t have a Dave Ramsay wallet, but they’ll fit nicely into my journal using the card stock technique. I can’t believe how gorgeous they turned out!! Thanks so much
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[...] am so happy with how it turned out! I printed out these templates onto plain white cardstock, folded and taped them into envelopes, and then bound them with a [...]
I am trying to download your envelope template, but I cannot seem to get it to work. Any suggestions to do this? Thanks! I love your envelope wallet.
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I am currently taking the Dave Ramsey Financial Peace coarse and I love, love, love your envelopes. It is tough getting use to the cash but your envelopes will fit perfectly in my wallet. Great idea!!!
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I made the envelopes and had them laminated. They turned out beautifully, but the lamination made them so thick that they will not stay closed and barely fit in my wallet, even without the cash in them yet. Is there a thinner lamination that is available?
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Kelleigh Reply:
May 5th, 2012 at 9:53 pm
Hi Bev! I use the Scotch brand laminating film, but I only laminate thin paper. I feel like cardstock weight paper doesn’t really need the laminating, but the thin stuff does. The Scotch brand is 5 mil. (I think) and comes in a red box that you can get at office supply, craft stores or Walmart. I have one of those personal size laminators, so that is what I use. I hope you find a solution that works for you! I have a feeling that you might just have thick paper!
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