Cash Envelope Templates and Trackers
Do you use a Cash Envelope Budget System? If so, then you should be tracking the cash in each envelope via a printable register, a spreadsheet, an app, or other software. We've created a couple resources that can help you with your tracking. First, printable register sheets that you can insert into whatever envelope you are using. Second, printable cash envelopes that you can cut, fold and tape (or glue).
Also, check out the related spreadsheets, such as the Money Tracker, Money Management Template, or Account Register. It can work really well to use a cash envelope system for some budget categories and a digital system for the rest.
Printable Cash Envelope Register (Long)
SIZE: 3.87" x 8.5" - Fits No. 10 Envelopes
Download
⤓ Excel"If you use these free downloads, please follow @vertex42 on Instagram. Thank you!" - Jon W.
License: Personal Use (not for distribution or resale)
Description
This design is meant for No 10 size envelopes (the long ones). Print as many copies of the register as you want.
Cut around the outside and then fold along the middle vertical line - this will help with the sturdiness of the paper a bit, plus it will give you a front and back to work with for each envelope.
We purposefully kept these designs free of color to avoid having to use so much colored ink when printing many copies. But, if you want to add color, print on colored paper or download the Excel version and customize it. You can also change the font via Page Layout > Themes > Fonts.
Printable Cash Envelope Register (Short)
SIZE: Same Length, but Wider than US Currency (3.37" x 6.14").
These registers are printed 3 to a page, and you can either cut them all out or do a double-fold along the vertical lines (to help with the sturdiness of the paper).
These will fit most cash envelopes, but they are wider than US Currency, to make it easier to find and pull out the register.
Download
⤓ Excel"If you use these free downloads, please follow @vertex42 on Instagram. Thank you!" - Jon W.
License: Personal Use (not for distribution or resale)
Printable Cash Envelope Register (Small)
SIZE: US Currency (2.6" x 6.14")
These registers are close to exactly the same size as US Currency, so if the wider versions don't fit your cash envelopes, then these will.
Download
⤓ Excel"If you use these free downloads, please follow @vertex42 on Instagram. Thank you!" - Jon W.
License: Personal Use (not for distribution or resale)
Printable Cash Envelope Template (Vertical)
(PDF)
License: Personal Use (not for distribution or resale)
When designing this printable envelope template, we wanted the register to be printed directly on the envelope, but because we'd have to make a new envelope whenever the register was filled up, we wanted to minimize cutting each time.
So, this template uses the entire piece of 8 1/2 x 11 paper with just a couple of small cuts at the top. The inset image (which is NOT on the actual template) is showing an envelope made with 24lb colored paper, and it's pretty sturdy.
Printable Cash Envelope Template (Horizontal)
(PDF)
License: Personal Use (not for distribution or resale)
I like horizontal envelopes the best. If you want a register printed directly on the envelope, you can use this template. Again, only a couple of small cuts, so it's easy to replace the envelope when the register is full.
What I like about this type of design is that the register is on the INSIDE of the flap. That keeps the details more private as you are handling the envelope.
Printable Cash Envelope Template
With Editable Labels (PDF) SIZE: 3.75" x 6.5"
License: Personal Use (not for distribution or resale)
"If you use these free downloads, please follow @vertex42 on Instagram. Thank you!" - Jon W.
Description
This is a really cool design that lets you make either a vertical or a horizontal envelope. Print the template on any fancy paper you want. The PDF lets you edit the labels, so you can change the label for each category. Just delete the text in the label that you won't be using, or delete both labels and write the category on your envelope by hand.
If your printer doesn't print the lines on the left and right edges, just use the full width of the paper. It will still work well. Make sure the page scaling is OFF when you print.
Awesome Printable Envelope Templates
You can buy multi-colored envelopes from Amazon.com, but let's support some other small businesses. The following recommendations are made without compensation - they are just really cool. The printable registers have been tested in each of these envelopes. They are all great.
Cash Envelopes by @DebtFreeInSunnyCA ▶
When I started using Instagram, one of the first people I followed was Amanda Williams (aka @debtfreeinsunnyca). She has created some awesome printable envelopes and sells the PDF via her Shopify store.
SIZE: The "Small" size Registers fit these.
Cash Envelopes by @TheBudgetMom ▶
Another person I started following on Instagram was Kumiko (Miko) Ehrmantraut (aka @thebudgetmom) who also has a great selection of printable cash envelopes.
SIZE: The "Short" size Registers fit well. (These envelopes also come with their own printable registers)
Cash Envelopes by @InspiredBudget ▶
Still another awesome person to follow on Instagram: Allison Baggerly (aka @inspiredbudget) who has some fun geometric designs for her printable envelopes, plus quite a few other designs.
SIZE: The "Short" size Registers fit well.
Cash Envelopes by @DebtFreePanda ▶
These vertical envelopes by Amanda Spezia (aka @debtfreepanda) can also be folded as horizontal envelopes (I discovered that accidentally by folding them wrong).
SIZE: The "Short" size registers just barely fit her envelopes, so trim an extra 1/8" off the sides to make them fit easily. She also sells her own cash trackers.
How to Use the Cash Envelope System
- Use a budget, and identify which categories will be tracked using envelopes.
- Cash the portion of your paycheck that will go into your envelope categories.
- Stick the cash into the designated envelopes, recording the Starting Balance on each individual register.
- Just as you would with a checkbook register, whenever cash enters or leaves the envelope, record the amount in the register.
- If you run out of money in your Food envelope, stop eating. Okay, just kidding, but if you run out, it means you'll have to take the money from some other envelope. The nice term for that is a "transfer," although it may help for you to think of it as stealing from the other category (if it helps you avoid doing it in the future, that is).
- Make notes on your envelope or the register about how long the money is supposed to last (i.e. "Monthly Budget = $250"). Then, when you create your budget for the next month, you can check your current cash balance against the monthly budget to see if you can allocate the leftover to something else.
- Color-code your envelopes to help identify them easily. Better yet, check out the following resources.
Make a Budget