You can read all about our budgeting history (or lack thereof) over on the Budgeting page. There, I have uploaded spreadsheets I created when we first began TES and some of them we are still using today. My favorite part of Dave's philosophy is to have the money "spent" before you get paid. Know exactly how much and where it will be going so you don't have any left over to blow on something you don't need.

Today, I'm sharing with you...

4 ways the Envelope System has made our life better

(in no particular order)

1. It has increased quality time spent together

Have you and your significant other taken the 5 Love Languages quiz? If not, I highly recommend it. My top "love language" is Quality Time (if you're wondering, Hubs' is Receiving Gifts and Physical Touch. Typical guy. Lol!). There's nothing I love more than spending time with Hubs–just us two. Whether it's taking a road trip, going to the grocery store on Friday nights, cooking, watching movies, talking about our day...I just love it. 

Before TES, if we were bored and looking for something to do, we would take our debit/credit card and go see a movie, go shopping, eat out at fancy restaurants. This kind of stuff happened frequently. Now, if our food/groceries envelope is empty, we stay home and cook something. Or, if our entertainment envelope doesn't have enough to go see a movie, we watch one at home (or set up a really cool outdoor screen on our fence):

Essentially, in addition to saving us a ton of money, it also increases our time at home. But we're totally okay with that because we have so much fun together. This is the main reason that, nine years into our relationship and four years into our marriage, we still don't have kids. :)

2. It forces us to agree on money

Virtually everywhere you look, people are getting divorced. It's a huge issue. The thinking in today's society is, "If you don't like it, take it back and get a new one." It just so happens one of the main reasons couples divorce is financial problems. Google it if you need to...it's listed with things like poor communication and infidelity. If you're married, you need HAVE to agree with your spouse on your finances. Have you ever wondered why the Bible talks about money so much? Because it's a big deal! Just like each new day is a gift, so are our jobs and the money they bring us; We can't let ourselves fall into the belief we are owed something. 

Money can be a blessing to your marriage, or it can be a curse. The good news is we get to decide which it is. When you and your spouse can agree on how much to spend and where to spend it, you will be much happier. Trust me. Whether you agree with me or not, part of it is related to the Biblical "submissive wife" belief. When you truly understand and accept God's marriage design (He appoints the husband as the head of the marriage) and not try to apply today's societal definition to it, you will see it works itself out. When one decision needs to be made, you can't have two headstrong people with opposing views–not willing to give in–each get their way. How would anything ever get worked out? Eventually, one person HAS to give in. This bit from an article about Candace Cameron Bure said it best:

"I allow him to make the final choice," Bure said. "Obviously I will make my opinion very clear and clearly I have been married for 17 years and we have a very happy marriage and it works very well." Bure adds that even though her husband is the one who calls the shots in her home, he takes her opinions to heart and often makes the choice that she would have hoped he'd make. "The definition that I'm using with submissive is the Biblical definition. It's meekness. It is not weakness. It's strength under control. It's bridled strength."

3. We know exactly what we're eating

When you stay home and cook, you have complete control over what's in the food you eat. When you eat out, you don't. You have the choice to shop for organic produce and cook with the healthiest alternatives. At most restaurants, even their "Below 500 calories menu" is filled with processed junk.

4. We're saving the environment...

...by driving our vehicles to the least amount of places as we can (and as fuel-efficiently as we can). When you only have $10 in the fuel envelope to get your 4x4 truck and SUV through two weeks' worth of driving, you quit trying to race everyone at stoplights. Other than going back and forth to work, you eventually just stay home for the weekend and find something to do there (which is fine with me...see #1).

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If you are budgeting (and even if you're not), I strongly suggest the Envelope System. We are on our seventh month and have grown to love it. Visit Dave Ramsey's website for more budgeting information.