Cash System

The first thing Ash & I learned with Dave Ramsey was about his cash system. You pay CASH for most everything - gas, groceries, clothes, misc, ect. This way you SEE and FEEL how much you are spending and you are more aware of it. It is amazing when I started this! I mean, when you have $20 spending money a week and Starbucks takes $6 of that... yeah, you start re-thinking how important Starbucks coffee really is! When you have $100 a week for groceries (including diapers, wipes, toiletries, ANYTHING for the house) - you start looking for coupons and other ways to save where you can!

Before, I was a debit girl! Everything was debit for me. It was easy, quick, FUN :-) But I never FELT the sting when my money started decreasing the in bank. With this - you feel it! You feel it bad! It's awesome! I spent $82 on groceries this week, and I was so excited, I was able to put the remaining money in my "savings" envelope and am so anxious for next week when I can add MORE to the savings envelope! :-)

You should definately try it! Yes, it's hard, it takes work and getting used to. But you seriously do spend less because seeing the money slip out of your fingers... there's nothing more painful :-)

What is my point is saying all this? Well, I used to drive around town like crazy - going here and there whenever. Well, gas has now murdered us at 3.60 a gallon - OUCH! And I have decreased my gas allowance to put the extra cash to other more important things, like bills :-) So I get $30 a week for gas. yeah.... at $3.60/gallon... $30 gets me LESS than 3/4 a tank! Are you kidding me?! What am I to do with 3/4 a tank of gas for SEVEN days?!

I'll tell you what: cut out all driving, go to the park and library a lot!, see friends who live close by, and make people come to me :-D This cash system has made me start counting mileage - something I never even CARED about and is making me do FREE things around the area :-) I love it!!! Good for the car (less wear on it), good for my $20 spending money (hehe), and good for me to learn a valuable lesson = when the money is gone, it's GONE! There is no credit. There is no charging it, there is no taking it from savings. It's gone!!!!!

More of us should do Dave Ramsey - stop living on credit, stop living beyond our means, and start living like God wants us to! Responsible stewards over what HE has GIVEN us....