Envelope System

We follow the Dave Ramsey plan pretty closely at our house. Before we started him we followed Gail Vaz-Oxlade and her jar system. 
You can type in all of your personal information and it helps you determine how much money goes in each category.   To explore your personal allocation go to
http://www.gailvazoxlade.com/articles/budgeting/magic_jars.html  
Now we do it in envelopes.  We have an envelope for the following categories:
Date Night
Kid Activities
Power Bill
Frenchies/Clothes
Gas
Groceries
Miscellaneous

Dave Ramsey talks about a cash budget and telling your money where to go monthly.  At the start of each month we put cash in each envelope.  That's the money for the category.  When it's gone, it's gone.
At the end of the month there are a few things you can do if money left over.  You can allow the money to carry over and build up in the category. For example, the Power Bill is due every other month, this one builds up.
Groceries envelope at month end you may realize you have some extra money to do build your stock pile.
Clothing, Gas and Date Night envelopes we don't let build up.
When we did the jars the happiest thing was we had an empty jar purposely for month end. The last day of the month we would dump any left over money into it to be the fun money. This was how we afforded a get away in a neighouring city for a night, or a movie dinner date.
Now we take any extra money and slap it on the mortgage.
If you are saving for something special, say a vacation or a new purse, have an envelope. 
YOU WON'T BELIEVE THIS BUT TRY IT A MONTH AND YOU WILL SEE...
Doing the envelope system makes us feel like we have more money.  It gives permission for us to spend money while keeping an eye on the prize.
Good luck and comment below if you have tried these strategies and share your success stories.

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Note Pads

Here is a little secret about me....I love making lists.
Daily I take notes of things I need to do for the day. I also take notes daily about my long term goals.  I find writing quick notes helps me stay on task, and focus on the big picture.  I also am a visual learner. If I make a note of an item, it helps me remember the item later on.   And lastly, I feel I have  ADD and always need to multi-task.  Recording on paper helps me focus.
All these things means I use a lot of paper.
I save all paper that is blank on one side instead of putting them in the paper recycle bin.  I shove them in a large envelope until I have lots.
When I have a stack I cut the papers into various sizes. Usually half and 1/4 of the sheet I cut the paper and staple them together to make note pads. I strategically place them around my home and my classroom.
I keep some papers in an envelope for my children to use  for drawing. Anyone with kids knows how much money one can spend on paper!
After I am finished with my note paper, I rip it into little pieces for my recycle bin.

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Groupon...a new trick

I love Groupon. Before I make a purchase for a restaurant, activity or hotel I search Groupon first.
Log on to airmilesshops.ca first and search Groupon.  This will help you collect air miles on your purchase.
Recently I was searching out a hotel room for Niagara Falls.  I found a hotel that I liked and a price I was comfortable paying.   Just before I clicked to buy I logged in New York as my home city by accident.   The same offer for the hotel I was just about to purchase was much cheaper in American dollars.   I bought it, even with paying the exchange rate I saved $120 Canadian from my original price I was willing to pay!  
My air miles were also awarded.
Take an extra 5 minutes and after you find the Groupon you want to buy and play with other home cities and see if there is a difference in price.  I have never earned $120 for 5 minutes of work that was well worth my time! Happy shopping.
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Keep your receipts

Our house tries to run on a gift card budget whenever possible.   I have mentioned before the importance of keeping your receipts for your purchases. Today my husband tried to use one of our Canadian Tire gift cards and it didn't work. Although it is frustrating, the money isn't lost. He went back to Sobeys and showed the receipt for purchasing the Canadian Tire gift card.   The money was put back on the card as the card and receipt numbers matched up and he was able to make his purchase. Yes, it is an added step but this only happens about once a year. Keep hold of your receipts in case this happens to you.
I know some of you may be thinking this is risky, businesses will take care of you it's ok. Having earned enough miles for free Walt Disney World for next  year makes it worth it to our family.
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Call the Hotel

I have always booked my hotels through either Expedia, or on the website of the hotel, for example Best Western.com

In the past month I have booked 11 hotel nights for various dates.
I searched Expedia, and Hotel.com for a while, tracking the price.  Each time you search, make sure to delete your internet cookies.
After searching a Wyndham hotel, I phoned them directly. I told them the I was on Expedia, and want a cheaper price. I said, oh I am so old fashion I prefer talking to a person vs online.  She asked me if I like coffee, and if I would enjoy an upgraded executive room. After a minute of chatting, I said two beds is fine, I didn't want to pay an upgrade. The woman said, no upgrade fee, and I will beat the prices.  The price I was quoted was $400 US currency lower, and an upgrade!!!
Not every time has this worked, but it is worth the 6 minute phone call to try!


 

I Wrote a eBook!

I have been collecting Air Miles for years.  At first I started collecting them to help us get out of debt.  Now that we have the house as our only debt, we have switched our focus to a fun vacation.  In the past two and a half year we have collected 37,000 Air Miles. I have been asked many times to share my tips and tricks. I have shared many on this blog over the past year and a half but I wanted to write an in-depth guide.  This eBook is available on Amazon to purchase for $5.  Here is the link to purchase, copy and paste

https://www.amazon.ca/Guide-Collecting-Air-Miles-Canada-ebook/dp/B07169ZK5R/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1493139592&sr=8-5&keywords=air+miles

check your receipts

When I grocery shop I try to always watch the cash register as things get rung in. Today I am sleepy and wasn't paying attention. 
When my purchase was complete I checked my receipt and noticed that my strawberries weren't discounted the half off.  I turned around and got my $1.24 returned to me. 
To most, this isn't a big deal and they may have walked away. To me, I am committed to this Debt Free Journey and wanted the $1.24.
It is now in our change jar. At the end of this month it will be a deposit into our bank account with what ever money has accumulated. This will be towards an extra mortgage payment. 
Always check your receipts for these little things.
Also, if you notice you are charged the wrong price, go to customer service. You will receive the item for free if it is under $10 as the Scanning Code of Practice. If the item is over $10 you will receive a $10 discount.
Also there are sometimes survey codes. I have never won a survey, but I keep trying. 
CHECK YOUR RECEIPTS!
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