A Great Budgeting Tool

What’s Mvelopes, and why is it on my website? Mvelopes is a budgeting program that I started using back in 2006. I love it – it’s easier to use than other programs I’ve tried, and keeps track of your spending in real time.

I eventually met the folks behind Mvelopes, and they agreed to offer the tool to my blog readers at a discount. (And you all know how much I love a deal.)

Here’s how it works: Years ago, people budgeted by putting cash in paper envelopes - one for food, clothing and so on – and stopped spending when the money was gone. Mvelopes mimics this system, allowing you to budget for each spending category in virtual envelopes. You link the program electronically to your checking, savings, debit and credit cards, so it automatically records what you buy (cash purchases are entered manually). Log in, click and drag a recorded purchase into an envelope (if you buy multiple items in different categories at one store, click “split” and divide the receipt into the right envelopes).

Mvelopes shows me that I’ve already spent $85 from, say, my $100 a month clothing envelope, and have $15 left (so I can postpone fall shoe-shopping a few weeks). It also solved another problem – worrying about overspending every time my husband suggested we go out for dinner. Now I know immediately whether the money is there to spend (the good news – it usually is) and I enjoy the night out even more.

Another cool thing – you can access the program from any computer or cell phone that connects to the internet, so you can track your finances wherever and whenever you like.

The program is available to MoneyandHappiness.com readers for as little as $7.40 a month. You can try it for free for 30 days with no obligation. (If it doesn’t do the trick for your budget, just cancel on or before the 30th day.)

CONTINUE TO YOUR FREE TRIAL

Note: When you sign up for your free 30-day service, you must give your payment information. However, your bank card will not be charged until the 31st day. You get 30 days to test and try it out.  IF YOU DO NOT WISH TO CONTINUE you must cancel before the 31st day or your account will be charged. To cancel, click on the Live Chat link within the Mvelopes application. You must chat with a live representative to cancel your account.  Live Chat is now available 24 hours a day, 5 days a week.