50 Cash Envelope Category Ideas

I started using the Dave Ramsey’s cash envelope system for budgeting recently, and it’s a game changer!

I love anything that makes life a little simpler, and cash envelopes make budgeting SO easy.

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If you aren’t familiar with this system, here’s how it works:

1. Create a budget.  Need some help?  Check out our budgeting bundle which walks you through exactly how to set up a budget!
2. Choose your cash envelope categories.  These will be expenses that are variable.  For example, you don’t want to include your mortgage, cell phone payment, or any other fixed bills that are probably automatically withdrawn from your checking account anyway.
3. Once you’ve selected your categories, get some envelopes and label them.
4. Put cash (enough for one month) in the envelopes for each category.
5. Once you run out of cash in a particular envelope, you’re done with spending on that category for the month!
6. Decide what to do with any cash leftover in your envelopes at the end of the month (you might put this into savings, use it to pay off debt, or spend it on something fun…whatever you choose!)

This list will give you 50 ideas for your cash envelope categories.  But, obviously, you don’t want to have 50 separate envelopes…that would be a big mess!

I’d recommend using 5-15 envelopes to keep it simple.

I personally use six envelopes.  Mine are:

• Fast food
• Groceries
• Household items (medical, toiletries, paper products, cleaning, etc.)
• Date night
• Outings with friends
• Fun spending money

I’m giving you a list of 50 so you can get plenty of ideas for your own envelopes because there are a ton of different options!

How specific (or broad) your categories are is totally up to you.  Do whatever makes the most for your situation.  If you buy Starbucks every day, for example, it might make sense to have a “coffee” envelope.

I buy Starbucks only occasionally, so I take Starbucks purchases from my “fast food” envelope.  This works for me.  Do what works for you!

Here are 50 ideas for your cash envelopes!

1. Food
2. Groceries
3. Restaurants
4. Food at work
5. Entertainment
6. Sports
7. Movies
8. Outings with friends
9. Outings with family
10. Date nights
11. Starbucks
12. Alcohol
13. Pet stuff
14. Kid stuff
15. Kids’ allowance
16. Kids’ toys
17. Kids’ clothes
18. Happy hours
19. Books
20. Shoes
21. Accessories
22. Gardening items
23. Yard maintenance
24. Car maintenance
25. Household items
26. Cleaning products
27. Tools
28. Home Depot
29. Spouse 1 – spending
30. Spouse 2 – spending
31. Hobbies
32. Craft supplies
33. Organizing supplies <<—- maybe I need to add an envelope for this one ;)
34. Home decor
35. Clothes
36. Beauty
37. Toiletries
38. Massages
39. Salon
40. Road trip
41. Projects
42. Travel
43. Technology
44. Blow
45. Photography
46. Fun
47. Replacement items
48. Gifts
49. Giving
50. Miscellaneous

Want some extra cash to put in your envelopes?

Check out these FREE apps and resources that allow you to earn cash back just for buying things you were already going to buy anyway!

IBOTTA

Ibotta – Ibotta is a free app that allows users to earn cash back on everyday purchases at hundreds of different stores, including Target, Wal-mart, and grocery stores. I love earning cash back just for buying groceries!

Who doesn’t love free money?!

Download Ibotta with my link and you’ll receive a FREE $10 welcome bonus once you start redeeming cash back offers! Check out my guide on how to use Ibotta to maximize your cash back.

RAKUTEN

Rakuten (formerly called Ebates) – Rakuten is a free website that gives users the ability to earn cash back on online purchases.  Rakuten includes cash back offers at hundreds of different stores, including Amazon, Groupon, Target, Sephora, and Hotels.com.

Whenever I’m going to purchase anything online (which I’ve been doing A LOT of lately during the pandemic!), I check Rakuten first to see if I can earn cash back.

Sign up for Rakuten with my link and you’ll receive a free $10 bonus once you spend at least $25! How awesome is that? Check out my guide on how to use Rakuten to get the most bang for your buck!