8 Free Printable Cash Envelopes (Cash Envelope Budgeting System) (2024)

Wanna try out a cash budgeting envelope system (like Dave Ramsey’s), but need free printable cash envelopes to start? Budgeting envelopes – free.

I don’t know about you – but I’m about 10 times more likely to stick with a system if it’s in a really cute package.

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That’s why I’ve collected a bunch of the cutest free printable cash envelopes all in one article – so that you can pick the design that will not only work for you (functionally), but that you’ll be excited about using.

You might as well be picky because let’s be honest: budgeting envelopes are practically an accessory for people using a cash envelope system (since you take them with you just about everywhere you go).

Free Printable Cash Envelopes

There are some things to consider when choosing which of these free printable cash envelopes to download and use.

For starters, here’s what to think about:

Vertical versus horizontal cash envelopes
Will fit in a wallet, or not meant to fit in a wallet
Cashless vs. cash-filled envelope budgeting
Spending tracker on outside, or not
Reusable envelopes, or not

No worries if you don’t know what will work for you yet, because you can just download a new, free set and tweak your system as you go.

Tweaking a personal budgeting method as you go? Is one of my favorite budgeting tips for beginners to give.

I’m going to give you a variety of free printable envelopes with different traits from the list above.

Free Horizontal Cash Envelopes

Whether you want vertical cash envelopes or horizontal cash envelopes is really a preference thing.

This section is all about free horizontal cash envelopes you can use for your budgeting system.

Hint: going on a cash envelope system will help transition from credit card to cash-only living.

1. Free Cash Budget Envelopes

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The color green on these free cash envelopes is so soothing to me – but I guess that makes sense since green is one of my favorite colors!

Keep in mind that these envelopes only have a label for you to fill in, and no spending tracker (in case that’s your thing).

2. Horizontal Cash Envelopes

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Really, really nice set of horizontal cash envelopes you can print out for free and use to fill up with your own budget categories.

I personally love the chevrons and the hexagons!

*no optin required

3. Tiered Printable Budget Envelopes

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These are very simple designs, but what I love about them is that they have tabs that stand out so that you can easily recognize what the envelope is for.

Tip for how to laminate your cash envelopes and keep them longer/make them reusable (if you have a laminator):

Here’s how to laminate your envelopes to make them reusable without a laminator machine:

Horizontal cash envelopes not your thing? Let’s look at free vertical envelope templates, next.

Hint: if you want to pick out an envelope that doesn’t have a tracker on the outside, just pair it with one of these free daily spending logs.

Free Vertical Envelope Templates for Cash Envelope Budgeting

One of the reasons to go with a vertical envelope template vs. a horizontal one is you’ll have more lines to record transactions/purchases throughout the week/month.

Just something to keep in mind as you’re figuring out whether to go vertical or not!

1. Vertical Cash Envelope for Budgeting

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These are super-cute vertical envelopes you can cash-budget with. Just remember that with this set, you can’t record transactions (you just label each envelope with your spending category).

2. Budgeting Envelopes

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Cash Envelope Labels and Spending Trackers

Maybe you already have a set of DIY cash envelopes that you love, but you’d like to add labels or a spending tracker area to them.

OR, you’re eyeing up some gorgeous scrapbook paper at Michael’s and you have a free printable cash envelope template, but you need a label to be able to put on each envelope.

Great! Here are free cash envelope labels and spending trackers.

1. Cash Envelope Spending Trackers

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Looking for a set of spending trackers that you can then glue/tape/staple onto any set of cash envelopes you choose? These are great!

2. Free Envelope Spending Trackers

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3. Free Printable Cash Envelope with Budget Sheet

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I love how this set comes with a budgeting sheet to match.

These are free envelope spending trackers that you can tape to the outside of a regular white envelope (even those annoying junk mail ones you get in the mailbox – a great way to reuse them!).

Hint: she uses washi tape to tape them on the outside of envelopes, which makes it cuter than just gluing/taping them onto plain white envelopes.

Pick one of these free printable cash envelopes, and just dive right in. You’ll find that you’ll need to tweak as you go (which is totally fine!), and you might even switch to a different type of cash envelope once you see how it goes. Don’t be afraid to customize things for you + your family.

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Amanda L Grossman

Personal Finance Writer and CEO at Frugal Confessions, LLC

Amanda L. Grossman is a writer and Certified Financial Education Instructor, Plutus Foundation Grant Recipient, and founder of Frugal Confessions. Over the last 13 years, her money work has helped people with how to save money and how to manage money. She's been featured in the Wall Street Journal, Kiplinger, Washington Post, U.S. News & World Report, Business Insider, LifeHacker, Real Simple Magazine, Woman's World, Woman's Day, ABC 13 Houston, Keybank, and more. Read more here or on LinkedIn.

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8 Free Printable Cash Envelopes (Cash Envelope Budgeting System) (2024)

FAQs

What is the downside to cash envelope system? ›

You may also feel unsafe carrying cash, as it's harder to track it when it's lost or stolen. It can be cumbersome to get started: Getting all the envelopes ready and allocating money into categories can take some time to set it all up, especially if you haven't created a budget before.

Does Dave Ramsey use the envelope system? ›

It really was made famous (and a lot more popular) by finance guru and radio talk show host Dave Ramsey. All you need to get started are some ordinary envelopes, either store bought or homemade. Oh, you also need to mix in some financial discipline. You'll definitely need that.

See Details ›

What is the envelope budget system for beginners? ›

The concept is simple: Take a few envelopes, write a specific expense category on each one — like groceries, rent or student loans — and then put the money you plan to spend on those things into the envelopes. Traditionally, people have used the envelope system on a monthly basis, using actual cash and envelopes.

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How many budget envelopes do I need? ›

If you have less than 5, then you may not be including all of your “problem” categories/expenses in your system. However, there are certainly people out there that only need a couple cash envelopes, it's just not the majority of budgeters. If you are just starting out, I suggest starting with five cash envelopes.

Learn More Now ›

What is a downside of using a cash envelope budget? ›

Cash stuffing, like other budgeting methods, is a way to plan out your spending and keep track of expenses. While it can be helpful for curbing overspending and limiting credit card debt, the downside of budgeting with cash is that you're missing out on the protection and yields offered by bank accounts.

Find Out More ›

Does the envelope system really work? ›

The envelope budgeting system can be a good fit for people who want to track their spending and need help staying within their monthly allowance. Here are some other upsides: It may help you spend less. People tend to spend less when using cash.

Get More Info Here ›

What is the 50 30 20 rule? ›

The 50-30-20 rule recommends putting 50% of your money toward needs, 30% toward wants, and 20% toward savings.

Show Me More ›

What is the 100 envelope challenge? ›

It works like this: Gather 100 envelopes and number them from 1 to 100. Each day, fill up one envelope with the amount of cash corresponding to the number on the envelope. You can fill up the envelopes in order or pick them at random. After you've filled up all the envelopes, you'll have a total savings of $5,050.

Keep Reading ›

How much does Dave Ramsey say to have in savings? ›

Ramsey's general recommendation in his Baby Steps has long been to start with having $1,000 saved in a starter emergency fund. If you earn under $20,000 a year, the post on Ramsey Solutions said you may adjust this amount to $500.

See Details ›

What is the simplest budget system? ›

Try the 50/30/20 rule as a simple budgeting framework. Allow up to 50% of your income for needs, including debt minimums. Leave 30% of your income for wants. Commit 20% of your income to savings and debt repayment beyond minimums.

Read On ›

How to start cash envelope system? ›

How the Envelope Budgeting System Works

Step 1: Add Up Your Monthly Income. Before you can begin using the envelope method to budget, you need to know your net monthly income. ...
Step 2: Set Budget Categories. ...
Step 3: Assign Budget Amounts to Each Envelope. ...
Step 4: Spend the Cash in Each Envelope.

Discover More Details ›

What is the simplest budgeting method? ›

1. The zero-based budget. The concept of a zero-based budgeting method is simple: Income minus expenses equals zero. This budgeting method is best for people who have a set income each month or can reasonably estimate their monthly income.

Explore More ›

How to save $5000 in 3 months with 100 envelopes? ›

The 100-envelope challenge is pretty straightforward: You take 100 envelopes, number each of them and then save the corresponding dollar amount in each envelope. For instance, you put $1 in “Envelope 1,” $2 in “Envelope 2,” and so on. By the end of 100 days, you'll have saved $5,050.

Tell Me More ›

How to save $5 000 in 6 months with 100 envelopes? ›

Here's what you'll need to do:

Get 100 empty envelopes.
Number each envelope from 1 to 100.
Store your envelopes in a container.
Shuffle the envelopes in random order.
Pick an envelope at random each day.
Insert the day's money amount in the envelope.
Put the filled envelope aside.
Track your savings progress.

More items...

Get More Info ›

Is cash stuffing a good idea? ›

Bottom line. Cash stuffing might appeal to consumers who prefer simplicity or have problems with impulse control. But the risk of having all that cash around — not to mention missing out on interest and card rewards — should make you think twice before labeling all those envelopes.