Question

Hi all!  Looking for some advice/opinions from those who have a spouse that works/lives away from home and you basically have two households: Background: I’m wanting to start trying the cash envelope system but I’m trying to think this through- we own a home but my husband travels for work and is gone 3 weeks at a time then home for a week.Hi all! Looking for some advice/opinions from those who have a spouse that works/lives away from home and you basically have two households: Background: I’m wanting to start trying the cash envelope system but I’m trying to think this through- we own a home but my husband travels for work and is gone 3 weeks at a time then home for a week. In the past when I’ve been budgeting, any time we are in separate places we spend so much more it seems like on groceries and household items for both places. What would you all do or what do you do/have you done? I’m wondering about just once a month before my husband heads out, giving him household items to take with him and then just giving him cash specifically for his groceries. he’s pretty bad about spending cash though when he has it on him so I guess giving him his own special “grocery” envelope, too  

Answer 1

In case you’re open to non-cash solutions: Im a huge proponent of the YNAB system. YNAB (You Need a Budget) Fans! It’s basically electronic envelopes. The app is SUPER easy to use. No saving receipts, no going into the gas station. I had a 4 month free trial and im coming up on my second renewal. It’s $84 for the year and the amount of money I have saved and paid off debt with (and saved myself hours and hours of time from trying to do it manually) has TOTALLY been worth it.  

Comments

I’ve paid off 12, 000 in debt last year, put $2K in an EF, and like I said, saved tons of time. There’s a slight learning curve but the group I linked is so helpful and the company itself has amazing webinars you can take as well. Plus the reporting you’re able to easily pull out at anytime. total game changer

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Another loyal YNAB lover here!  

Answer 2

Hey there! So my husband is a fireman and is out of the house 2-3 nights a weeks. We budget for his meals at the firehouse and he takes detergent/toiletries from here. For food, we try to eat cheaper meals when he isn’t home or I try to freeze left over for meals. This is especially helpful if I have left over sauce/meatballs but it wouldn’t be enough for four people.  

Answer 3

I feel your pain. My husband is gone for 15 days and home for 5. He takes a certain amount of cash which he has to use instead of the debt card the only exception is when he buys groceries. He usually only spends about $60 on groceries. He doesn't cook. lol so its sandwiches, microwave meals. But he also has to buy a drink or two everyday on the way to location and the $1. 80 debts were driving me insane! So far this system has been working. Hopefully, it will work for the long term. Good luck to you!