Saving money and sticking to a budget can be challenging. However, there is an unexpected solution: switch to a cash-only spending system. Doing this can simplify your finances and help avoid impulse spending. In fact, cash stuffing and cash budgeting have become viral financial trends among Gen Z. According to a Credit Karma report, about 69% of Gen Zers now opt to use cash more frequently than they did in the previous year due to the saving benefits. 

While experts advise keeping your money in a secure, FDIC-insured account with fraud detection services; using cash to pay for recurring expenses, such as gas or groceries, can help curb spending and prevent you from taking on more debt.

Here are four ways you can adopt a cash budget.

Consider Virtual Envelopes

Virtual envelopes may be a good middle-ground option to help you separate spending money while providing financial protection. Virtual envelopes are separate checking or savings accounts designated for rent, groceries, vacation, or holiday spending. Check out Cash Stuffing: How Will This New Budgeting Trend Help You Save? for a list of pros and cons.

Plan Your Budget Ahead of Time 

Before leaving the house, assess your budget and figure out how much money you plan on spending. Whether going to the grocery store or the mall, leave your credit cards at home and only take the amount you have budgeted for yourself. You are less likely to go over budget if the only money you have to spend is the cash on hand (or the small amount of money in your checking account/virtual envelope).

Eliminate Your Reliance on Credit Cards

Opting to primarily use cash for your purchases can lessen your reliance on credit cards and accruing more debt. Cash is a powerful tool for financial accountability because it creates a higher feeling of shopper’s remorse, which encourages more discipline when it comes to spending. One major advantage of solely relying on cash is the ability to allocate enough funds in your account to pay off any existing balances.

Avoid Transaction Fees by Using Cash

Certain businesses offer incentives such as discounted prices or waived interest charges when customers pay in cash vs. card. Businesses do this because they can bypass the transaction fees required when accepting digital payments. Take gas stations as an example — they often impose an additional charge when customers use a credit card because the owners must pay an interchange fee to the payment processor. According to the Association for Convenience and Petroleum Retailing, credit card processing fees at gas stations are about 2.5% of the total transaction price. By paying with cash, you can bypass these fees, helping save you money in the long run.

Pro tip for using cash: remember to always ask for a receipt, so you can keep track of your purchases and request a refund when needed.

Adopting a cash budget approach can not only help enhance financial awareness, but also serve as an ideal solution for individuals who find themselves struggling to save money. Check out our Budgeting page and Savings Tips section at efirstbankblog.com for more ways to save.

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