How to Make “Pretty” Envelopes for the Envelope System

We have been using the envelope system control our spending. It has helped tremendously. I’ll share more about our road to financial freedom in the next post but first I wanted to share with you how I make our envelopes a bit more pleasing to the eye.

I start off with a regular envelope and some coordinating cardstock. Next I measure the envelope and I create a template. I do this because envelope sizes vary depending on the brand. Having the template avoids me having to measure it each time. The cardstock should be equal width to the envelope. The bottom portion should fold up to just slightly above the v-shaped opening and then it should fold around to just cover the flap. After measuring the first one simply mark it on the paper by scoring it or using a pencil.

Cover one envelope at this point just to be sure your template is accurate. Be sure to fold or score each one in the appropriate places prior to gluing.

I use snail strip glue across the bottom portion of the envelope then I glue the bottom portion to it. It should just reach or go slightly above the v-shaped opening.

Next I use the snail strip glue to cover the front portion of the envelope. Glue it down.

Next you can glue the remaining cardstock to the top flap. I usually leave a small overhang to make sure I have enough to cover it. After I glue it down I just trim the excess.

When you are done your envelope should resemble this one.

TIP: To prevent the glue on the flap from ever sticking in the future due to accidental spills and humidity, what I do is wet them with a wet cotton swab prior to using them and then sprinkle them with baby powder.  After coating it dust off any excess. This ensures that they never get sticky again.

Much better than a plain old envelope, right?

Now you can decorate and label them any way you like. The categories I use are groceries, auto (covers gas, repairs, car wash, etc), fun money, home repairs, clothing, gifts, personal, and education.

I store these in our home safe when we aren’t using them and take one out when it is needed. The fact that they coordinate just makes me giddy.

We make ours because, well, because the whole point is to save money and use what you have but, if you want to buy some pretty envelopes then this girl is the person to go to. She sells sets of money envelopes in her Etsy shop and they are purdy if I say so myself. You can find them here: Kelleigh Ratzlaff Designs.

For more information about the envelope system you can check out these posts:

• The Envelope System Experiment
• Keep Your Spending Tidy with the Envelope System
• Dave Ramsey’s Envelope System

Related articles

• Handmade Envelope (craftingmom.com)
• A “cute” envelope system (clairerialc.wordpress.com)