re: Dave Ramsey

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but I'm a Bill Pay addict through my bank. I've had the same book of check for 5 years and it scares me to think of actually going back to manual paying bills.

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Okay - we're not on the same page - we still pay online. There are rigid budget line items - if it is on the budget, we can pay it through bill pay or whatever.

It's the Wal-Mart money and the yearly stuff that is difficult to nail down that we go envelopes and cash. I save up my continuing education money, professional dues, etc., when that bill comes due, I write a check and deposit the money. It's literally a cash accounting system for certain things.

Misc for eating out or paying something not formally budgeted gets an envelope. Auto maintenance gets an envelope.

I don't do an envelope for things like gas, water, electricity, etc., but we do pay those and turn them around as soon as they come in. Anything that can be paid online is paid online.

But the key is that budget - budget every penny in and every penny out and you'll be surprised at how much cash you can keep from bleeding out of the account every month - it's several hundred dollars for most people, particularly if they are not strict budgeters and thrifty to begin with.