Author Topic: Staying on budget card  (Read 1663 times)

donedeal511

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Staying on budget card
« on: June 29, 2018, 01:10:03 PM »
Looking for suggestions on a check card or some other means to create an “envelope” for spending. I’d rather not do cash. But say I’ve come up with a variable spending budget of $500/month for going out to eat, clothes, shopping and other incidentals. I want it to be used for all non-fixed  point of sale purchases and to payoff department store credit card statements as they occur all afternoon all part of that 500/month extra money spending. . When it’s up,  it’s up and excess will roll over. Maybe a separate check card tied to my savings with an auto deposit of 500 monthly? But I wouldn’t want to worry about any overdraft fees...anyone do anything like this?

robartsd

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Re: Staying on budget card
« Reply #1 on: June 29, 2018, 03:40:29 PM »
I'd look into a prepaid debit card or open a dedicated checking account (I don't think you can get a debit card linked to a savings account).

Anniemaygo

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Re: Staying on budget card
« Reply #2 on: July 01, 2018, 12:35:30 AM »
I do this for my vacation / slush fund, I have a Schwab account where I transfer any excess from my checking account each month.
 
I max out my 401k and HSA and IRA. 
Then budget a 66% savings rate on my take home pay.
Add in “mandatory” spending of electricity, food, internet, insurance.
At the end I am left with $100 a week of misc spending. 

Mentally, the “slush” fund has really optimized my spending, knowing whatever I can save in food, electricity, misc will go towards a more non-mustachian purchase such as great vacations or home improvement or a nice dinner...guilt free because I am already comfortable with my savings rates.  It keeps a high level of control and also turns it into a game.