Customer Reviews

Deluxe Executive Envelope System: Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace University with Pens/Pencils and Note Pad and Wallet

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(5)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I got mine free with another deal where I got Dave Ramsey's Total Money Makeover Book.
There are 6 envelopes attached to the book itself. There are another 4 that are loose. It comes with a pen, a note pad, a clear plastic sleeve for coins, 5 slots for debit cards and a place for your check book.
I like how it forces you to organize yourself. I keep my checkbook and cash in it. However, it's very bulky. I don't actually carry it around with me, I don't like the idea of carrying that much cash around. I just take out what I need each day. It would probably work best for someone who carries a purse or briefcase.
It's a nice thing to have, but I probably would not have purchased it on it's own. You could probably build your own by getting an organizer from any place that sells school supplies.

I have found that using Dave's envelope system has greatly helped control my spending habits. I had been using the basic envelope system, but the deluxe 'system' is much better. I no longer have to carry my wallet/check book AND my 'system' in my purse. I like the fact that there are a few loose envelopes included because I can put my husbands gas money for two weeks in one of the loose envelopes and he can toss it in the glove box of his truck and have it on hand when needed. I also put his 'blow' money in one of the loose envelopes as well. At first I was concerned about having so much cash on hand, but I have found that I am much more careful with my purse than I had been in the past. The quality of the product is acceptible although I think a good leather would have been a more durable choice of materials for the cover...maybe they were just thinking of the 'vegan' crowd;-) I would recommend this product to anyone who is currently using the Financial Peace system or considering it.

I bought the envelope system in hopes to track my spending. I am doing much better today in not spending money left and right since I write down everything I spend. It keeps me honest as well. I am doing a good job of not borrowing from other envelopes. The only drawback I see in this is when I go to Wal-Mart I often buy things that come from two or more of my envelopes. What I do is make a purchase for each envelope, seperating the items I am purchasing by envelope. Overall I highly reccommend this product to anyone out there who is struggling with overspending. I have really cut back on my little spending. That is where my paycheck was really dissapearing to. I would eat out often at fast food restaraunts. I would also spend a couple dollars here and there at gas stations and other stores. Today I am more disciplined with my spending and it is all thanks to this Deluxe Executive Envelope System.

After reading Total Money Makeover this was the logical next step, and I love it. I was able to slide my checkbook in it and it has a place for my Debit and ATM card. There are 10 envelopes total and 4 of them are loose, I would have rather had them all in the book part and none loose. Using envelopes is not a new idea but Dave Ramsey gets you excited about it. I have always used cash but this system helped simplify the way I do it, now I don't have to try to track it all in my head.

I wanted to start using an envelope budgeting system, but was trying to decide between this and the online mvelopes system. Mvelopes looked great, but charges a monthly fee that really adds up over time. This is far more cost effective! And I suspect it's a better way to change behavior because you can actually see the dollar bills as you spend them - or don't spend them. I never noticed the materials being cheap - but I'm pretty practical so the function is more important than the look. For what I paid, I can afford to buy a new one in a year if I need to!

I was very nervous about using cash. But this system makes it easy. Before, I would systematically run out of money 5 or 6 days before payday. But since starting this system a few months ago, I have built up a cushion of several hundred dollars in my checking account, made extra payments to my credit cards, and seldom overspend in any category. There were more than enough envelopes for me - I don't pull out cash for every single budget category. Only those that are discretionary. But you can always order extra envelopes if you need them. I can't wait to see where I am after a year of using this system.

I was a little disappointed to find that it is not leather bound as Amazon claims; it is vinyl bound. What do you expect for $14 though. It is arranged conveniently, and allows easy carrying of the envelope system.
All in all, it is a nice product. I recommend buying it.

So what if it's not really leather? The purpose is to help us FPU disciples control our money. This is a nice looking, sleek black portfolio that I am happy to carry anywhere. I bought mine for $9.95...what a deal. And the fact that it's vinyl means no cows were harmed to produce this wondeful money-management tool.

After vigorously using this exact system for 5 months it is starting to fall apart. Can you say cheap vinyl? The little loop on the outside for securing it shut has fallen off and appears as if it was only glued on to begin with. On the inside the vinyl has split at one of the folds and has bared the cardboard underneath. The envelopes inside are rather flimsy & all have torn on the edges & folds before I was done using them. I wound up using tape on them to keep them manageable.

Don't get me wrong. I am a huge Dave Ramsey fan and the IDEA of this envelope system is great! Using this system has saved me from overspending and has saved me a lot of money. Unfortunately, the EXECUTION of the manufacturing of this item has left a lot to be desired.

I am very disappointed in the quality of the materials for the price. Especially since it has Dave's name on it. Just last week I bought a wonderful REAL leather checkbook cover for only ten dollars here at Amazon. No vinyl, glue or cardboard involved in the manufacturing. That's what I will be looking for in my next envelope system cover.

I'm a fan of Dave Ramsey, but was disappointed in this item.
It should have been included as a "freebie" with the purchase of one of his books. The envelope/checkbook holder appears to be vinyl, pretty cheap looking. There are not enough envelopes and the coin case is too small and such a thin material it's a waste.
You can do the same set up with your existing checkbook and some plain envelopes. Save your money.

This system is so much nicer than the basic version. Well made, and it has a place for everything.