Burlap Envelope System Wallet

 I almost hate to see this one on the "To Sell" shelf.  I may have to indulge myself with a new personal Envelope System Wallet.  My teenage daughter fell in love with it too.  Can you tell that she loves a little lace??

 Not familiar with these wallets?  An Envelope System Wallet is set up for cash-only discretionary expenses such as, groceries, gas/car, haircuts, etc. Each month you allot yourself so much cash into each category.  When the money is gone...the spending must stop. 

My design of an Envelope System Wallet includes these features:

1) A Velcro closure and one main pocket, in which the envelopes fit.

2)Three envelopes have been made in a coordinating fabric. I will transfer labels to each of the envelopes for easy reference. The envelopes are lined to prevent your cash from slipping and for long-lasting usage.

3) A large built-in zippered pocket can hold change, cards, receipts, etc.

4) This wallet is large enough to also hold your checkbook and deposit slips.5) Envelopes are entirely removable for easy access and budgeting. Remove it if its not to be used! This prevents "dipping" into other categories to make impulse purchases.
If you are interested in this wallet or any of my other designs, please visit my ETSY SHOP! Thanks for visiting!

Envelope System Wallet and NEW Purse

I wanted to share my newest Envelope System Wallet!  It is perfect for your cash-only budgeting system! 

 

The wallet includes a large zippered pocket (my checkbook , without cover, can fit), three customizeable fabric envelopes and an outer wallet that has plenty of room for addition wallet "things". 

 The little bag is made of burlap and is a cross body bag.  It is so light and airy, you hardly know it is there.  Just large enough for your Envelope System Wallet, car keys, phone and a few other necessities, it is perfect to just grab and go.

 For more detailed information, you can find this wallet and purse for sell in my ETSY SHOP.
Thanks for visiting!

 

Budgeting with the NEW Envelope System Wallet

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New to cash only budgeting??  Don't worry!  There are many ways to use this budgeting system to make it work for you!

 

I found my way to the cash-only budgeting method by author and budgeting guru, Dave Ramsey.  Studies show that you spend less when paying with cash versus credit cards, debit cards and checks.  Forget clipping coupons!  Making this simple change will curb your unplanned purchases and help you be a frugal and intential shopper.

 

 

My husband and I share the household and family expenses, but a MAJORITY the descretionary spending fell into my hands...birthday parties, Christmas gifts, haircuts, groceries, gas, clothing, school money, etc.  As a new wife, I was enjoying having so much money at my mere disposal.  Over the years, my credit card bill became larger and larger, until I wasn't able to pay it off each month.   

 

A couple of years ago, when I was not such a young wife anymore and now worried about the financial future of two children as well as a husband's exasperation at my lack of discipline, decided to take control of my spending.

 

I sat down and divided my month's worth of spending into categories.  My categories are very simple, though others have quite complicated categories.  My categories include groceries, car, gifts/entertainment, clothing, health/beauty.  I looked at my checking register and credit card bills to determine approximately how much I spend the the following areas, the determined how much I NEEDED to spend in those categories!  Cash was divided and placed into paper envelopes.  There a couple of rules to follow here:

 1. You can only use grocery money for....GROCERIES

2. You may not pass money from one envelope to another!

 

 

Those were not easy rules to follow.  I quickly solved that problem by only carrying an envelope that contained money I was allowed to use for that particular trip/day.  Such as, "car" went with me all the time (in case I needed gas), but I only carried the "health/beauty" when we were going to get haircuts or pick up medicines for a sick child. 

 

As time went on, I became an expert at my cash only adaption.  But the paper envelopes really got on my nerves.  Since I love to sew, I designed my first Envelope System Wallet two years ago. 

 

I have recently designed the Envelope System Wallet to be even more user friendly!

 

1. Outer wallet is large enough to house up to 6 envelopes, check book, small notepad.

 

2. Three fabric envelopes are included with the wallet in a coordinating fabric.  Each envelope will be labeled with the category of your choice.  Envelopes are not sewn in so that you are free to remove them!

 

3.  Large front zippered pocket.  I found that I rarely EVER removed my zippered pouch from the old design.  It holds change, cards like drivers license, social security, etc.  This new pocket spans the entire length of the wallet and I was able to even place a check book in it (without large cover).

 

 

Thank you for stopping to have a look around!  If you would like to make your own fabric envelopes, you can click HERE for a sewing tutorial.  Don't sew or don't have the time?  My Envelope System Wallets are for sale in my ETSY SHOP.   I would love to hear from you!

 

Here are a few articles/videos about cash-only spending:

1. How You Spend Affects How Much You Spend

2. Why You Spend Less When You Pay Cash

3. Envelope System Video Tutorial

 

Newest Spring Envelope System Wallet!

In 2009, one of my New Year’s resolutions was to move to a more envelope based spending system. Why is it so hard to break that $20 bill in your wallet, but so easy to write a $50 check?? Anyway, I received Dave Ramsey’s book, "The Total Money Makeover" for Christmas. It is a great book and I highly recommend it. Dave Ramsey advocates using the envelope system for many of your daily spending needs as a way to curb excess spending. You allocate your money into the different envelopes at the beginning of the week/month and when the money is gone…it’s gone.

In honor of my New Year’s resolution I made the “Envelope System Wallet”. I am so in love with it and couldn’t wait to share it with you. The wallet features a Velcro closure and one main pocket, in which the envelopes fit. The three envelopes are made in a coordinating fabric and can be removed entirely from the wallet to further enable you to stop unwanted spending. For example, if you are going grocery shopping and know that you have plenty of gas, you can remove the gas envelope to prevent "dipping". I transferred labels to each of the wallets for easy reference. I would be happy to transfer a Bible verse, saying or other labels at your request. Last but not least, there is a zippered pouch for coins, driver’s license and pictures of the kids (plenty large enough for up to 10 cards). I will be selling these on Etsy. Come over and see!!

By the way, I have had several past customers tell me that they also used the envelopes to help organize their couons too!

Just Us Four Pinworthy Projects

New Envelope System Wallet!

I am so excited to introduce my newest shop item!  Please see this post to read the FAQ I receive regarding the Envelope System Wallet.  If you are interested in purchasing, please see my shop at Etsy!  Thanks for taking the time to visit!

New Envelope System Wallet

Here is the latest wallet!  It is perfect for all your Envelope System Budgeting needs.  This wallet includes 3 fabric envelopes (which can be personalized with your budget category of choice) and a zippered pouch large enough for 10-15 cards and coin money.  All of the envelopes and pouch fit inside a velcro wallet.  The wallet itself can also hold your checkbook, receipts, etc.  You can find this wallet in my ETSY STORE! Thanks!

Tutorial for Fabric Envelopes for the Envelope System Wallet

I have received so many questions involving a pattern for the Envelope System Wallet, especially concerning the fabric envelopes.  I thought for a long while that I would make a pdf pattern and sell it in my Etsy Shop.  But as time went on, I realized that the main point of the Envelope Budgeting System was saving money.  So here is my 100% free fabric envelope tutorial!

Step 1: Cut out 2 rectangles of fabric that measure 7 3/4 inches by 8 inches.

 Step 2: Fold one of the rectangles in half length-wise (it should measure 3 7/8 inches by 8 inches). Pin the sides. If you are using two different fabrics, this will be your outer fabric.

 Step 3:  Sew a half inch seam along each side (top remains open).

 Step 4: Trim the edges to 1/4 inch and cut off the corners.  This will reduce bulk and make your envelope look much more professional and neat.

 Step 5:  Repeat steps 2 through 4 EXCEPT on one side seam, leave about 2 to 1 1/2 inches open at the folded edge.  It is difficult to see in the picture below, but my fingers are marking my open area.  This fabric will be your lining if you are using two different fabrics.

 Step 6:  Turn the out fabric right side out. Push out the corners and iron well.  Place the outer fabric inside the lining so that right sides are facing each other.

 Step 7: Line up the side seams and pin.  Match up the raw edges along the top and pin also.

 Step 8: Sew a 1/2 inch seam all around the top edge.  Be sure to back stitch where you start and stop sewing.

 Step 9: Trim top edge to 1/4 inch from seam.

 Step 10: Reach through the opening in the lining and pull the envelope all the way through.

 Step 11:  Fold the raw edges of your opening inward and pin.

 Step 12:  You can opt to do two things here.  The most professionally thing to do is to slip stitch the opening closed.  If small stitches are used, someone could almost never find your opening.  If you are making this for your self, you can simply use your machine to stitch very close to the edge of the fabric.

 Step 13: Push the lining into the outer fabric and iron.

 Many people has asked how well the money fits into the envelope.  Well, here it is.  There is a good 1/2 inch on either side of the money and almost an inch at the top.  I have never had a problem with my money slipping out so I do not put a closure on my envelopes unless a customer requests one.  You can always add a small square of velcro to the top if you choose.

My hope is that this tutorial is easy to understand and useful to a great many! May you always have money in your envelope!

New Envelope System Wallets for your Budgeting Needs

I found these two fabrics last week and I can't help but falling in love all over again!  They were perfect for the Envelope System Wallet!  Each wallet comes with 3 customizable envelopes, a zippered pouch and the outer wallet.  This wallet stands up to the test of time, unlike paper envelopes and is a lot cuter! 

Yes, I have my own budgeting wallet.  I place all my cards and change into the zippered pouch.  I use 5 envelopes, which I move in and out according to my shopping needs (helps me not to dip into other categories).  And my checkbook and receipts fit into the main wallet. 

You can find these wallets for sale in my ETSY SHOP!

Thanks for looking!

Lined Purse with Zipper Tutorial

It has been a while since my last tutorial!  My hope is that a beginner seamstress will find the instructions and pictures easy to use and the expert seamstress will gain inspiration on how to apply this technique to other projects! Let's Go!

Lined Purse with a Zipper!

Materials:

1. 4 pieces of equal sized fabrics. The ones shown here are cut to 8in. x 4.5".

2. 1 zipper, longer than the length of your fabric.

Steps:

1. Place the outer fabric face up andlay the zipper face down on top.  Line the up the edges.  *Notice my zipper is way larger than my fabric.  This is not a problem as I will cut off both sides when I am complete.  The nice thing about using larger zippers is that I can position the zipper pull off my fabric so that I do not have to sew around it.  Using larger zippers mean that I also have a zipper on hand and not one that is too short for my project.

 3. Place the lining fabric face down on the zipper and line up the edges.

 3. Pin all three layers together.

 4. Using a zipper foot, sew all three layers together.

 5. Remove pins and it should look like this!

 6. Iron seams, fold back lining and iron again.

 7. Place second piece of outer fabric face up. Then place zipper on top face down.

 8. Place lining fabric face down on top of zipper and line up all edges.

 9. Pin the three layers together and sew together as before.

10. Remove pins, iron seams, fold back lining and iron again.

11. One side should look like this:

 12. The other side should look like this:

 13. Pick up just the lining pieces so that the right sides are together.

 14.  Place on table with lining right sides together and outer fabric pieces together.

 15. Unfold one side and unzip zipper half-way.  This is a crucial step and yet soooo easy to forget.

 16. Pin edges together.  Zipper should be folded toward the outer fabric. 

 17. Sew around edges with 1.2 in. seam and leave about a 2in opening on the side edge of lining fabric.

 18. Trim edges and clip corners.

 19. Yes, cut right through the zipper on either side.

 20. Reach through the opening and turn the purse outside in!

 21. Once turned, pull lining out and finger press the opening.

 22. Sew the opening closed with your machine as close to the edge of the fabric as possible.  Just go slow. *Note* You can slip stitch this opening closed by hand.  I have found that with the opeing on the side and not the bottom of the lining it is less noticeable and therefore, a machine stitch is not noticed either.

 23. Push the lining back in and iron! Voila!