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Gail Vaz Oxlade Budget

debtfree2025

I just learned about Gail Vaz-Oxlade’s “jar” budgeting system from watching old episodes of Til Debt Do Us Part and I’m kinda blown away at how simple but strict it is! She has you withdraw all your weekly spending cash, sort it into envelopes (or jars), and only spend from those categories. Has anyone here actually tried it? Did it really help you save money or limit overspending? Any modern tips for making this work if you pay a lot of bills electronically now? Would love to hear some real experiences or advice!

DebtDestroyer_9

The core principle of the jar system-assigning every dollar a purpose-still works even if most spending is digital now. Many people use banking apps with sub-accounts or budgeting apps like YNAB or Simple to digitally “label” their funds, which achieves the same discipline without physical cash. The key is tracking and sticking to your limits, regardless of format. Small tip: set up calendar reminders to transfer your “spending money” weekly so it feels just as tangible as jars.

TaxTactician88

Sure thing! One additional thought is to consider using prepaid debit cards for each category of spending. Load them with a predetermined amount each month, aligning with your budget categories, and spend from them directly. This keeps spending separate and controlled, similar to the jar method, while adapting to electronic transactions.