Definition
Cash Stuffing (Envelope System)
Budgeting with physical cash divided into labeled envelopes by category.
Cash stuffing, also called the envelope system, means withdrawing your spending money as cash and splitting it into envelopes for categories like groceries, gas, and eating out. When an envelope is empty, that category is done until the next payday.
It works because handing over physical cash triggers a small sting that a card swipe mutes, so people naturally spend less. It is best used for flexible, tempting categories while fixed bills stay on autopay.