my cash only story...

__________________ MY STORY in more detail___________________________
Back in 2007, my husband and I attended
Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace Seminar. 
We loved the concept of “cash only” and took to it right away,
but it wasn’t long before I got tired of using paper envelopes for my cash. 
I wanted something more hip, tasteful, modern and sturdy!
I looked everywhere for something like it - but no one had thought of it!
 So I made myself some designer fabric cash envelopes/carrier
And a few months later, in january of 2008,
 I started to sell them on esty under the name of crunchy cute.
Crunchy cute was my business where I used to sell purses, cuffs, pins…
  during outdoor festivals in Atlanta.
 My tag for crunchy cute was “modern day hippie with a touch of dainty and adorable”
http://www.etsy.com/shop/crunchycute/sold (over 1400 sales!)
but the cash envelope business took off and I had to put the purses…on hold.
I changed my shop name in june of  2010 to
 Saving Money In Style
to showcase my budget related products.
… and here I am today.
Since then, many other  etsy sellers have gotten on the band wagon
and claimed "fabric envelopes" as their own.
(what a world, what a world!)
there are A LOT of imitators but only one "saving money in style!"
Since 2008 on Etsy – my little shop has grown by leaps and bounds. I have been contacted by numerous companies and have been able to promote my items worldwide. I was featured in All You magazine in January 2010 and also have had the stamp of approval from the Dave Ramsey folks!
And today – my husband and I are DEBT free with the exception of our mortgage
 and we are working on that!
My biggest lesson - I  ask myself when shopping for food, clothes....
"Is this a want or it this a need?"
When I stop to ask that before making a purchase - more often than not
I put the item back!
Yes, it is painful, because I always want it badly
 but...this simple question has saved me tons of money.
Plus it is much more painful handing over cash than handing over a debit or credit card!
I hope and pray that will help you too!
To God be all the glory!
Proverbs 16:3
Commit your works to the Lord and your plans will be established.
Isaiah 55:8-9
For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
   neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD.
For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
   so are my ways higher than your ways
   and my thoughts than your thoughts.

Going in a different direction for my sanity

For those of you who are following me - I have been winding down my shop. Not making any new items...but I miss the ability to offer something so functional and helpful to people! So, I think I have come up with an idea that will keep my sanity!
SO here is where I am at this point!

After coming up with the fabric cash envelope idea back in 2008 - I have made hundreds and hundreds and hundreds of sets for people!
I started out using designer fabrics but after a few years I started making more one of a kind sets.
This is where my heart is at this point.
So many have taken the fabric cash envelope idea and started their own shops.
Etsy is saturated with the same old thing.
 And to think back in 2008, I was the only one selling these!
In order to keep my sanity - I am going to focus on making one of a kind sets.
I am going through my stash and finding things I made throughout the years so I will be posting some designer sets along the way.
But - I am going to focus on using my creativity and make these one of a kind, unique sets for those who would like something a little different.
I am trying to keep my prices as low as I can because the pricing has gotten out of hand on Etsy. These sets should be somewhat affordable since we are talking about budgeting! I want you to have something stylish but affordable!

It has been a good run!

TIME TO WIND DOWN AND MOVE ON:

I am beginning to wind down with my current shop - Saving Money in Style.
I am happy to have created this cottage industry and provide hundreds and hundreds of folks with cash envelopes.
Plus it created over 20 or so similar shops on Etsy over the years. 
Many folks took my idea (in a respectful way by coming up with variations of the idea)
and were able to make money for themselves and help others with cash budgeting. Yay!
Others, unfortunately copied my idea, my descriptions, my fabrics... and then lowered my price by a dollar or so to attract customers.
 As upsetting as that is, it is life and it is all in God's hands.
I have been doing this since 2008 and although I feel like it is my "baby" I really need to move on to other creative endeavors!
I would appreciate your thought and prayers as I start a new journey.
I will be back here from time to time to update my progress. Thank you to all who have supported me and continued to follow me even though I am not a social media girl.
Love and hugs,
cathy :)

Custom Listing

Cute custom listing for a customer in Texas.
She picked out her envelope colors as well as her zipper colors!

taking some time off :( for hand rest

Just posted in my Shop Announcement in my Saving Money in Style shop!

AS OF 3/10 - I AM ONLY ABLE TO TAKE READY TO SHIP ORDERS. MY ORTHO DOCTOR HAS PUT ME ON HAND REST
AND I AM NOW WEARING A HAND SPLINT :(

I will be going through my stash of already made goodies and listing new items while I am healing  so stay tuned!

I am really bummed but I have no choice. My hand and fingers were cramping and the pain is just too intense. to continue.

Trying out a new Pouch for Cash Budgeting...

This little wool pouch will hold paper and coins. It has 4 category tabs. I like to use something this size when I an running out and only need 2 or 3 of my budget categories like Clothing, Entertainment and Nails/Hair. I just throw the coins in the bottom and then transfer everything over to my larger set when I get home. Kind of fun to have a cute little pouch for just a few items!

Email me and let me know what you think! I would be glad to make one for you!

Behind the Scenes - working on a few sets in betweeen orders!

Just a sneak peek at a few of the sets that I am working on when I take a break from sewing my orders!
The one on the left is a red and gray carrier with gray envelopes: 2 of each envelope shown.
The one in the middle shows the six envelope in turquoise/yellow and gray with the turquoise damask carrier.
The set on the right top will be 6 Velcro envelopes (or zipper) if you request it (!) I love my new arrow fabric.
And the set on the bottom right will be 6 zipper pouches in my new Japanese linen fabric. Way cute.
If you are interested in any of these sets - just email me and I will give you a price and estimate on time frame for completion!

ready to ship

I have so many ready to ship sets

just need to take the time to list them!

email me if you are interested in any of these sets

and I will give you the details...

winner of giveaway is...

Dawn Magagnotti!

giveaway

i think it is fun to offer my readers and customers at saving money in style
a chance to get something free!

so i am offering another giveaway this month.
these giveaways are not your typical high profile giveaways.
i do not advertise and i rarely have the time to tweet, facebook and even blog.

so for those of you who are reading my blog and for those of you who are customers of my little shop - this giveaway if for you.
my way of saying thanks and that i appreciate you!

this month's giveaway will be on the 31st.
 i will try to do a giveaway each month and announce the winner at the end of each month.

if you want to "enter" the giveaway just leave me a comment or like me on my facebook page...

and those who have purchased from me -
 leave me some (hopefully positive!)
feedback on my shop
page.

like i said, not a real high tech giveaway - i am not a big social media gal.
believe me i have tried.
but i just cannot seem to make the time to do that sort of thing! i love to sew!

but i do want to "give back" to those of you who have been loyal readers and those of you who enjoy my products!

so... enough of that.

this month's giveaway is a cute zipper pouch with 5 brown non Velcro envelopes.
the pouch has room if you want to add your own coin pouch too!

 these envelopes are made by another seamstress. she helped me out when i had hand surgery.

i was trying to keep up with orders at that time but was not allowed or even able to sew at that time.

she didn't exactly make them the way i do.
but they are made out of my sturdy canvas fabric and serve the purpose well.
the thing i am not happy with is the sewing showing on the outside is not perfect so much.
most folks are not bothered by that - in fact - she gives sewing lessons here in Atlanta and has her own sewing studio.
 so there you go. it is just not the way i would do it!

see - here is another reason i don't do this stuff! these photos were  upright when i inserted it but now

i have to take time to go back and figure out how to make it right side up then insert again -

so that gets old! for someone who wants to be creative and is not fond of tech stuff.

+++ i will fix this but right now i need to get back to my orders!