My envelope system

By now many of you have heard of Dave Ramsey and the Total Money Makeover, if you haven't check it out HERE  Well, I have not taken the class but I have decided to try the envelope system that he talks about.  Of course I can not have plain ol' fuddy duddy envelopes so I created some fancy schmancy ones of my own using a template found HERE and printing it on Close to my Heart paper.  You can purchase this cute paper at Scrapper's Therapy.

I chose to use an older paper pack that I have been wanting to use up called Emporium.  The great thing about our paper packs is that they coordinate so well together that it was a cinch to whip these up.  Here are the steps that I did:

1. Choose paper pack and cut down to 8 1/2 x 11.
2. Using template print out onto paper.
3. Cut out template and using Tombow adhesive adhere bottom and side flaps.
4. Print out labels from same site and punch out with 1 1/4" punch. (I printed mine out on Avery sticky label paper to save time)
5. Adhere to 1 3/8" punched scallop circle (or use Cricut Art Philosophy cartridge to cut out scallops).

That's it!  Super easy, super fun and super fancy.  The labels I chose are groceries, gas, fun, haircuts & personal care, and eating out.  You can make as many envelopes as you would like to fit your needs.

Here is a peek into my grocery envelope. 

 I did not want to create an envelope for each week so  I used 3 x 5 index cards folded at different points to put four weeks into one envelope.

Hope you enjoyed this tutorial and let me know if you have used/plan to use the envelope system.

Out with the old and in with the NEW!!

Happy New Year to Everyone! My wish for you is that you have a prosperous year and are surrounded my those near and dear to you as often as possible this year.

I have given up resolutions in my old age maturity but that does not mean that I do not have goals. I firmly believe that without goals you will not achieve what you desire.


Taking it a step further, it is wise to have SMART goals. That means they are S(pecific) M(easurable) A(ttainable) R(elevant) T(ime based). By assigning specifics to your goals, you are more likely to be able to achieve them.

And isn't the point of our resolutions?

Mine for the upcoming year are as follows:  

Reading: I want to accomplish all of the reading challenges set out before me in the Facebook group in which I belong. I have always puddled along and read the same familiar genres but I want to expand my horizons. I want to not only meet all of the challenges but I also want to read a total of 200 books. Seeing that I only read about 25 or so in 2012, this is going to be quite a feat.  

Business: I want to achieve a rank advancement in both of the companies I represent before the annual conventions. I definitely plan on attending one of them so I would love to be recognized.  

Scrapbooking: I am attempting Project Life this year. I am only using the concept of it from Becky Higgins as I will be using Close to my Heart products to complete my project. I am also participating in blog hops, including starting one of my own. I also am starting to offer monthly clubs through my blog and I don't know what I am doing so I am crossing my fingers, eyes, toes, etc..  

Blogging: I will keep this and my paper crafting blog Scrapper's Therapy regularly (meaning at least once a week) updated throughout the year.

Family: This is a big one....we want to finally buy a house in 2013. We have been through some rough patches and a lot of moves in the past but now is finally the time to plant some roots. We moved twice across the country last Summer (2012) and I am so ready to not do that anytime again. I also want to continue to develop the relationship with my daughters who live with their father. Many of you know the back story but for those that don't the condensed version is this: married 1999, divorced 2002, custody to dad 2005, kept apart with no contact from Dec. 2005-Jan. 2012, back to court and now we are trying to live happily ever after. I want to be able to finally get over the loss of my mother in 2010. I have been in shutdown mode for a long time now and I would like for the healing process to begin.  

Budgeting: We are pretty good with our money but my debit card gets way more of a workout than I do these days. We are going to start using a cash based envelope system and I pray that it goes the way the plan is laid out.  

Education: I will FINALLY complete the classes to finish up my degree. You see I was in my final term of classes for my B.S. in Business when my mom passed away. I dropped all my classes and have been hesitant to finish up, a mental block of sorts. I did just finish up ONE online course and so there are only THREE more to go! I will get this done this year!

Exercise:  I would love to say that I will run a marathon this year but we all know that is not going to happen.  My goal is to participate in at least one 5K this year.  It may be in December but that is in this year, right?

As you can see they are quite random but that is the point. I want to achieve success in many different areas of my life.

Now that you know my goals, I want to know what yours are.  Are you hoping to exercise more?  Lose weight?  Eat healthier?  Compete in a marathon?  Spend more time with your family?  Tackle that overwhelming project?  Comment below and let me know.