money « Chocolate Mints In a Jar

The Budget Clutch

Old way of doing things

I use the old fashioned tried and tested envelope method to keep our monthly finances in order. Only problem was that the envelopes get pretty scruffy pretty fast and they kept getting caught on the zipper and I had to fold the money so they fit in the small pouch I had. Standing at the checkout counter trying to get money out and getting everything on the zipper happened once too often so I decided to do something about it.

I crocheted my own clutch and cut out card tabbed dividers and labeled them.

The clutch is very simple. I didn’t line it because I thought it would be too bulky.

The tabs make it much easier to get to things and because it is wide I don’t have to fold or unfold anything and have easy access to the bills at any time. It also makes saving receipts in the right place easier.

You can also use it for coupon organization, receipts, or anything you would like to organize in an easy to carry clutch.

The New Cute Way of Doing things

How to make one

This isn’t really a pattern but more of a simple how to.

Chain 30.

Single Crochet on both sides of the chain to start a round (60 sc)

At the end of each round slip stitch into the first sc, chain one and turn.

Keep going until the height of the clutch is right for your currency plus the height of the tabbed dividers.

To make the fold over part sc 30 then chain 1 and turn.

Work another 10 or 12 rows with 1 decrease at the beginning of the row. If you are going to use a button leave a button hole in row 8 or whatever looks right for you.

Finally sc all round to give it a cleaner look.

The tab dividers can be downloaded here.

I used the Sweet Butterfly from Ravelry

Does Happiness Have a Price Tag?

Benjamin Wallace, a journalist explores that question by trying out some really expensive, very sought after items and tells the story.

I agree with the conclusion that some of us perceive things that are more expensive to be better. I try not to fall into that trap in the day to day items like Olive Oil for example but there are other items which you buy for the attached status symbol. I try to ask myself if I am one hundred percent sure I really need something and if there is an alternative which is just as good for less. I am not cheap, I am just in charge of the household budget. I did buy a pair of designer jeans though once right before I got married, managed to wear it for a few months, got pregnant and still haven’t managed to get back to my skinny weight (which is not really so skinny) so that I can wear them. Let’s just say I now own and love a regular non brand pair of jeans which look good and fit.

Attaching value to an item because of its price can be looked at in two ways, what you think of an item and what you think of people (including yourself) who own an item. An item should be judged for its overall quality just like a person should be judged for their character not for the material items they posses and how much they cost.

We all like the finer things in life, as long as we can afford it then their is no problem. When it comes to people though we should look at who they really are inside.

Craig Harper at Stepcase Lifehack also has an interesting summary of the talk and his own input.