Wednesday, November 12, 2008

Dave Ramsey Give Away!!!!

This, my friends, is the envelope system. It's one of the tools you get when you take Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace University class. It's also my new best friend. Here's where you can order one.




Before I had this handy-dandy thing I was using business envelopes held together with a fancy paper clip. It was very inconvenient and after two months I refused to use them anymore. I love the coin bag in this one and being clear makes it so much easier to fish out the two dimes and three pennies or 1 quarter, two dimes and four pennies or whatever, it makes using my change much easier.



The envelopes are labeled by our budget categories. Here's the one that irritates me the most. I think I might scribble out sports and write dancing or stardust sprinkles or rose petals, anything would sound better than SPORTS! Not that I'd be spending money on dancing, stardust sprinkles or rose petals, but those could be my code names for 'I have to pay two bucks a head for my two little kids to run around the side court and tell me they are starving to death every fifteen minutes while I endure sitting on a cold metal bench'.....oh, wait, sorry...that's a different post. Back to the envelope system.



We have one for dining. We can't go out to eat unless there is money is this envelope. Once the money is gone then, NO SOUP FOR YOU!!!




This is the envelope that is getting worn out. The category boxes on the front, side and back of the envelope are used to track any expense we don't receive a receipt for but have used some of the cash to purchase it. We've been using this envelope system for a few months and it really does work. You will become incredibly creative when you know there is only $2.34 left in your grocery budget and you don't get paid for another three days.



Here's where the cash goes. I also jam my receipts in there and later take them out and enter the expense in an accounting program.




I stick any coupons or gift cards in the front flap so I won't forget to use them.




Isn't she pretty? My new best friend. I wish I had one of these to share with you. I hope you didn't think I was going to give this away, um, because all my money is in there. If I ever get another one I will pass it on to you because I like to.....


Which reminds me! Guess what kids? I am giving something away!!!



I have a copy of Financial Peace Revisited by Dave Ramsey and a little CD with a preview of what Dave teaches in his class just for you! If you need some motivation to get a budget, start paying off debt, get a financial plan, then you can start with this book. This is how Clay and I started, we checked out Dave's book at the library and used his advice to get us chuggin' on our savings and debt.

And when you are done with this book you can pass it on to another friend that needs help getting motivated to make a financial plan.

To enter this give away leave a comment today. You can just say, "Hey, I want that book!" or you can tell me how wonderful I am, either way is fine. I'll choose the winner tomorrow. Okay, I'm off to wash some of the stardust and rose petals that need to be returned to the athletic director. Yeah.


*****Give Away CLOSED, I'll announce a winner soon*****

66 comments:

Rhea said...

You are wonderful, and while I'm not sure if I want that book, I know I probably need it. sigh.

I hate acting like a grown up sometimes.

Unknown said...

You are so wonderful, beautiful, smart, hard working, kind, caring, beautiful, tall, blonde, smart, wonderful, beautiful (do I have enough compliments?), smart, beautiful, WONDERFUL! :-) (do I have a shot at winning now?) Have I ever told you how Wonderful and Beautiful you are?!

Anonymous said...

Financial peace sounds nice. Oh and you are wonderful. I just want enough financial peace to not have to panhandle for food money when we go to Hawaii in February. Oye!

pam said...

I will read it and pass it on. In the meantime I'm off to get me one of them there fancy envelopes. It's brilliant really and I think I can budget that way. We will see. Thanks April!

Anonymous said...

April you are my favorite blonde daughter, and I am going to be a coordinater for financial peaace for our church next. However since Dave and I have thought alike since birth you should probablly give it to somone who really needs it from dear ole dad

Southern Gal said...

"Hey, I want that book!"

And you are so WONDERFUL!

Renee

Unknown said...

Sounds like this book would be very good for me to read, but I have to agree with Rhea - I hate acting like a grownup sometimes.

Love your writing, too! :)

The Thinker said...

Hey, I want that book! AND, has anyone told you how wonderful you are today? You sure are.

I have read a few of Dave's books--the ones I have been able to find at the library. The few available have long waiting lists! (which is great, I think.) My husband is what Dave would call "a little boy" because any time we get any extra cash, he wants to spend it on video games and other useless stuff. But, if I can get him to read one of Dave's books, he will stay motivated to be frugal for a little while. :)

So, if you choose someone else, I hope they will pass it on, too! Maybe we will get a shot at it soon! :D

Kim said...

With or without the book, you are wonderful.
As people who have also started paying closer attention to our budget this year, I appreciate any and all tips you've given.
But my coupon envelope is ugly so now I want to buy a pretty one - I don't think it's in the budget though.

Southern Gal said...

I need & want that book! The envelope system would be a great help to my family! I just bought "Smart Couples Finish Rich" but of course haven't actually gotten around to opening the book yet.

Ronda said...

Both of my neighbors (the one to the east AND the one to the west) are near their retirement years and have taken this class at their respective churches. Then when we meet up in the yard, they both say, "You and your husband are so young. You would learn so much from this program, and be set for retirement."

But do either of them invite us to said churches?

No.

Crabby old people.

So, if I win this, I promise that once we're able, we'll pass it along.

Alisa said...

You are wonderful, smart, pretty, and nice. Or so I've heard.
I would love this book, I've been trying to get hubby on the envelope system and he just doesn't see the need.
Thanks for the great giveaway!

Marie said...

April, do you know you are WONDERFUL !! I really need/want/desire that book !
Love your blog !

Marie

Anonymous said...

I could really use this book....financial planning and me are not close friends!

And I love your column, thank you for making me laugh every daty at lunch!

Anonymous said...

another sue sez: Well, you are wonderful, and I do want that book. Didn't leave much to the imagination there. My creative juices envelope is empty, doncha' know.

The Chisholms said...

Ooooh I want that book! And you are wonderful and HILARiOUS!!!! :) I love reading your blog! Keep it coming!

Anonymous said...

I happened upon your blog just recently while surfing some of my favorite blogs. You know how that happens. You read a blog and click on links to someone's favorite list of blogs, and before you know it the day has slipped away. Maybe I need a book on time management.

We have used the manila envelope system of money management, and sometimes rob Peter to pay Paul.

So, I really think we need this Financial Peace Revisited of which you speak.

Oh, and yes, you are wonderful, funny, and a great writer.

Need I say more?

Patricia (In the upper Midwest where we have not seen the sun in days. Seriously. Days.)

Melody said...

I LOVE Dave Ramsey! I am in charge of a book club and I'm having the ladies read this book. I'd love a copy!!!!

And I love your blog, too!

Sameday said...

I do need this book. The envelope idea is good, I am going to start that. If I financed my money correctly each month, I would be able to save 500 dollars a month, go figure, I can't seem to do it though. Thank you for your great blog!

Terri said...

I'd like to have that book & the CD too! I'm a big Dave Ramsey fan!

Anonymous said...

Oh but you are so wonderful!!
And...I want the book.

Lauren :)

Stephanie in Idaho said...

Oh you are wonderful, and I want that book. And I need to get motivated to save a little more than I do now....

Cyndi B. said...

Hey, I want that book!

(enjoy the blog, btw)

MamaHen said...

I think you ARE wonderful and I DO want the book!

Unknown said...

I could SOOOO use that book right about now. I hope I win!

By the way, you and your family are all lovely!

Anonymous said...

Hey, I'd like that book!

You're wonderful, April!

(I'm sorry about the helmet questions.)

Egghead said...

Yep I would take the book April the Wonderful. But I really want that wallet thingy majig. Greedy I know.

Anonymous said...

would love it for my neighbor

Mark and Wendy said...

You're wonderful and I want that book! We're going to be doing FPU at our church this winter, and an extra copy would really help someone out!

Mark and Wendy said...

You're wonderful and I want that book! We're going to be doing FPU at our church this winter, and an extra copy would really help someone out!

Leila said...

Hey, I want that book! You are wonderful.
Also, add me to your blogroll, O wonderful April! (you said in a previous post, and yes, I've read all your posts, don't call me stalker, that if someone begged you, you would add them to your blogroll. Pleeeze?)
I don't really need the book -- not that I'm not in debt but I am frugal -- but heck, send it anyway.
xoxo

Barbara said...

I would love the book. Seriously.

Mim said...

Don't you just love the envelopes? We took FPU in May of 2007 and have been telling our money where to go ever since! It seriously changed our marriage. No more over spending, no more arguing over finances. Praise God for Dave Ramsey.

Bonnie from Iowa said...

I need this book, lost my job and now have to get along on one income. And yes you are wonderful!

Anonymous said...

I want this book!!!!

Anonymous said...

You are wonderful and I really need this book. But I really keep hoping I win the lottery!

Anonymous said...

You rock. I'd love this book.

Pamelotta said...

I went through that course and it was great, but when it came to the envelope part of it, my husband thought it was stupid.

I said, "I'll put more money in your blow fund if you let me do this system for our budget."

He said, "You can have your stupid blow fund. I don't need it."

That was the end of that.

Maybe it's time to try it again.

Anonymous said...

I need that! I loaned mine to a friend (forgot which one) and never saw it again! Jen in OK

Joy said...

I want your envelope but will take the book. THANKS!

Anonymous said...

Well, while I dont want it, I probably need it! So I am entering..........

Anonymous said...

I read your blog and your sister's every day and am always a little disappointed when you have things to do besides write your blog. Ha. I need this book. Jancd

Anonymous said...

Hey I want that book. Gosh thought you wouldn't hear that today. My originality envelope is empty.

Rechelle said...

April - are you having a give away? Sign me up sistah!

DesertHen said...

How cool! Love Giveaways..=)

Anonymous said...

You're so cool. Da coolest.

Kim

Oh yeah and give me that book.
kimchristensen @ hughes. net

Anonymous said...

This sounds like the class I took here called wealth masters. This book sounds like the real deal and I love the envelope wallet thing. They had us using accordian files with envelopes on them, and I usually didn't want to drag the whole dang thing around and or I'd forget one of the envelopes at home. Hope I'm picked, I could totally use the book.

Mary said...

I'm ready for financial planning in my life.

Granna said...

Hey! I'd like to have it. My daughter and SIL swear by ole Dave. Has helped them tremendously.

May to Today said...

I'd love the book. And I truly enjoy reading your blog. Keep it up!

erinz said...

You're wonderful...AND I want that book!
Thanks for making me laugh everyday!

erinz said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Jennifer said...

hey- i think you are wonderful! :) and your blog! and i prolly really need that book! it's hard living on one income, so anything to help us manage our money would be a great thing!

Leah said...

I want that book Wonderful!

Anonymous said...

April:

We have been following your life with that architect and those young uns for some months now. Can I just take a moment to say how very much we enjoy you. You are wonderful.

We use your blog for entertainment purposes on date nights... since we are too poor to even go out for dinner or even rent a movie. But if we do get to go out then we check out the blog when we get back in and the sitter has gone to bed... our 13 yr old girl ... you thought we could pay someone?!

We really do think you and sometimes even Clay are fabulous! You keep us laughing at ourselves... no, really just at you!

We were going to go to the Damn Ramsey class at our church, but we couldn't afford to pay attention (the musician made me put that in there) okay... really our church has not had a Damn Ramsey class there. We may need Damn Ramsey more than anybody you know or don't know yet. Of course, we really, really need that fancy envelope system thingy... but I suppose the book and cd will have to teach us how to save enough to buy that!

I did look for his books at our library... they are all out and on reserve at every branch. Egads.

Lori Waggoner said...

This is a stupid book and you're a bad storyteller.

I win.

Anonymous said...

Hey! I'm watching my husband watch the tv show Fringe right now and the girl on the show reminds me of you.

Oh yeah. I love your blog and anxiously await each of your new entries. Would love to have the book too.

Anonymous said...

I'm just really starting to learn about Dave Ramsey. Everybody who says something about it says it works. There must be something to it. I guess I'd better learn more so we can deal with the $7 in the checking account days. Thanks for making the offer.

Alicia said...

Ooh, I read his other book and I think I need to read this one too! And of course you're wonderful!

Mylinda said...

You're wonderful AND I want the book! lol

Becky Meyers said...

LOL i love loris post, i vote for lori to win!! not me!!

Anonymous said...

I already live about as frugal as anyone can but my 21 year old son who still lives at home could sure use it. Thanks Margie

Laurie said...

Tis the season to save (and spend a little less). I've always tried to set up a budget, but never succeeded. This would be most helpful to me.

Anonymous said...

Nothing like a contest to drive up the comments ticker, eh? I probably really really need this guy's book... stupid recession!

Anonymous said...

Been using the envelope system for years and just moved on to a more complex setup in conjunction with our debt snowball plan.

site said...

I believe everybody should browse on it.