The Simple Pen

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30-Day Giving Challenge: Give the Gift of Organization

Shopping is on everyone’s mind this time of year. The first step to having a frugal holiday is of course, a budget.

Are you familiar with the envelope system of budgeting? Basically, you budget according to certain categories of expenses and then you actually withdraw the cash and keep it in separate envelopes in your wallet. Once the cash is gone, it’s gone. You can read more about the cash envelope system of budgeting in my Build a Better Budget series.

Frustrated with paper envelopes and disorganization with her wallet, Melinda Claudpierre created a wallet that allows you to keep your cash in separate categories and also gives you quick access to your driver’s license, coin holder and all of your discount cards and coupons.

As a stay-at-home mom of three, Melinda knew that she wanted all of these things without sacrificing style, and so she designed the Savvycents wallet as an attractive wallet that any woman would love to carry!

The 8″ x 4″ wallet contains everything you need to organize your monthly or weekly budget using a cash system. With an accordion style file system inside the wallet, you can separate money, coupons, receipts or store discount cards by categories. There are also 6 pockets for debit cards and store discount cards as well as a place for your driver’s license and check book.

I’ve been using my Savvycents wallet for six months, and my cash is so much more organized. I had been using paper envelopes before, but they ripped or got lost in the bottom of my purse. Now I can open my wallet and easily see how much cash is left in each category. If I find a cute top for my daughter, I can see if there’s clothing money available to buy it or not. I’m not fumbling through envelopes when I check out either. The Savvycents wallet is stylish and functional.

One Saving & Giving  reader will win a Savvycents wallet ($24.95 value) to share or enjoy!

To Enter:

  • Leave a comment below (required entry): What kind of budgeting system do you prefer?

If you are reading via email or in a reader, please click through to the post to enter.

For up to (2) bonus entries:

  • Subscribe to Saving & Giving via RSS or Email.  If you’re already a subscriber (thank you!) simply leave a comment.
  • Follow Savvycents on Facebook and/or Twitter.

This giveaway ends at 9pm ET on Tuesday 11/30. The winner will be selected randomly and notified by email, and this post will be updated with their name as well. Must reside in the USA and be 18 years old to enter.

The other bloggers leading the 30-Day Giving Challenge are also giving away Savvycents Wallets.  Stop by each of their sites for more chances to win!

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Comments

  1. We are trying the cash budget system, looking forward to putting more effort into it in the new year.

  15. My husband and I are just starting the envelope system!! This would be great to help us get started!

  16. I watch grocery and drug store ads and use coupons and try to spend about the same amount every week. No strict budget.

  19. I “know” the lady that invented the Savvycents wallet….Her dad was the music minister at my home church! Small world….
    My husband and I live on a small income for two people and just recently have started a cash only budget (except for major bills, like student loans, insurance, phone, etc-those get paid by check). We do not own a credit card (in our possession), but my father-in-law keeps a credit card for us (in our name) in case we ever need anything….
    At the beginning of every month (after we get out 1st paycheck), I go to the bank and pull out all the money we need for the month: groceries, out to eat money, “fun money,” etc.
    I just use regular business envelopes to keep our cash in, but a Savvycents wallet would be perfect for the organizational part of it!
    I think the cash system has really helped us….it also keeps my husband responsible for keeping up with his own money….even the change! He hates having change (actual coins) in his pocket, but I tell him that his change adds up to money and if he wants to use all his “fun money” the coins will come in handy….

    Reply

  24. Hi
    I just discovered your website and love it. For budgeting we have tried to use the free bank envelopes in the past but this wallet is alot more durable than a paper envelope.

    I have liked you on facebook! and signed up for your emails. I can’t wait to learn more tips for saving money!

  25. We prefer the envelope system. It really has helped us on our way to becoming debt free. This wallet would be great! Thanks!

  30. right now, i budget by taking a certain amout out and into savings every payday, and then make the rest stretch as far as i can!

  34. We don’t really budget yet, just spend cautiously. We’re going to try spending only cash in January (besides fixed payments like the mortgage). I’ve been thinking about the envelope system, but I don’t have a good grasp on what we spend right now.

  38. We currently don’t have a system in place. We pay the bills with the paychecks and spend/save what’s left. I want to do the envelope system with this wallet!

  41. I use the envelope system of budgeting. Works well for me, but would love a wallet like this to keep better organized with the envelopes.

  43. We are blessed to be debt free. The secret is to be old, have few needs, and fewer wants. Seriously, God has helped us stay out of debt for years and live frugally. It was quite different when all the children were at home.

  44. I use the computer to do my budget but have been thinking about doing the cash system. This would be so great to win! Thank you for a chance to win.

  47. We have our set bills and those get paid automatically. Then we use the cash system to budget the rest of the money.

  51. I do not have a system- the money flies out to pay bills so fast a don’t see it long enough to create a system!

  58. SO excited about this product! I swear that one of my hangups with being disciplined about envelope budgeting and couponing is the bulk of having it all with me. Love these and hope to win one, otherwise, I’ll have to ask for it for Christmas for sure!

  61. We have tried to use the envelope system but its not well organized in my purse and that doesn’t work for me. LOVE the design for this product and would love to try it out ~ thank you!

  64. I don’t do cash budgeting, but my sister does and it works well for her so I may give it a try. I pay off all cc each month, and put at least $400 in savings each month.

  65. I do prefer the cash-only envelope system, when I stick with it I have an easy time keeping with my budget and usually end up with extra money every month leftover from my budget plans!

  66. We use Dave Ramsey’s envelope system and love it! But it would be nice to have this wallet to replace the envelopes & my wallet and make room in my purse. 🙂

  70. I would love to receive the Savvycents wallet. I do not at this time do the cash budgeting system but am willing. I also save coupons.

  71. what a FUN thing to come up with…why didn’t i think of it?:) i use envelopes in my wallet and LOVE paying with cash, rather than card, because if the $ is in that envelope, that i don’t have to feel guilty for spending it on whatever i’m purchasing, it’s so freeing! sometimes i “rob peter to pay paul” but overall, it just feels responsible for our family. we’re a family of 6 with 1 income so spending wisely, and SAVING SMARTLY;) blesses us!!!

  72. Envelope system for all cost that can change thru the month but we still use online bill pay for electric and those types of bills!

  75. Hi! I use a spreadsheet right now for budgeting, but still use my debit card for purchases! I would love to have one of these wallets so I can try using cash!

  85. We don’t really have a strict budgeting system. We just don’t spend what we don’t have and save as much as we can!