My brother roasted my budgeting spreadsheet and I switched to the envelope system after 3 years of tracking every penny

He looked at my color coded Google sheet and said 'you're tracking expenses but not actually controlling them.' Got me thinking. I was spending 45 minutes a week logging transactions but still blowing $200+ on takeout. Switched to cash envelopes for food and fun money about 5 months ago. Has anyone else had someone call them out on a method that wasn't actually working?

3 comments

3 Comments

vera_murphy2mo ago

OH wow that brother of yours is actually kind of a genius! He basically forced you to face the hard truth that tracking and controlling are two VERY different things.

derekward2mo ago

@vera_murphy Brother saw the map and you saw the leash, big difference right there.

jessicac281mo ago

A leash keeps them from wandering off, and a map just shows you where you're already lost. Maybe having both isn't the worst idea.