Economy
Mathematician explains the trick of the “envelope system”, the formula for saving more than $2,500 a year
In a video on social media, a mathematician has outlined an ingenious method for saving a four-figure sum each year.
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In a time when inflation and the rising costs of goods and services make it increasingly difficult to make ends meet, saving money has become an essential goal for many people. However, finding a practical, accessible and effective method isn’t always easy.
Enter the ingenious “envelope system”, a simple yet surprisingly effective savings strategy that has captured the attention of thousands on social media.
This method, recently popularized by the mathematician Santi García Cremades through a TikTok video, is based on a basic but powerful mathematical formula. According to Cremades, you don’t need advanced financial knowledge or complex apps. With a pack of envelopes, a pinch of discipline and some consistency, you can save over $2,500 in a year.
How does the envelope system work?
The essence of the system is as simple as it is brilliant. First, fill 50 envelopes with even numbers from 2 to 100. Each week, draw an envelope at random and save the amount indicated inside. So if you draw 12, you’ll save $12 that week, if you draw 88, you’ll save $88, and so on.
The mathematical key lies in the sum of these numbers. Each pair of extremes (2 and 100, 4 and 98, etc.) adds up to 102, and with 25 pairs, the total accumulated at the end of the year is exactly 2,550. According to the mathematician, this technique not only makes saving easier but also introduces an element of surprise that makes it more manageable and less routine.
Advantages and challenges of the envelope method
While effective, the envelope method requires variable economic effort. Weeks with low amounts, like $6 or $20, are easy to manage, but weeks with high amounts, like $90 or $98, can be challenging for those with tighter budgets. Therefore, Cremades suggests adapting it by splitting the numbers between two people or adjusting the amounts according to individual capabilities.
Additionally, the mathematician emphasizes that the true value of this system lies not only in the amount saved but in fostering the habit of regularly setting money aside. For those with specific goals, like a vacation or an emergency fund, this technique can be a powerful tool.
Envelope system sparks debate on social media
The envelope method hasn’t passed off without comment on social media. Since Cremades shared his video explainer, reactions have been as diverse as they have been numerous. While some users celebrate the system’s creativity, others criticize it for not being viable for all households.
“Not everyone can afford to set aside 98 in a week,” comments one user on TikTok. Meanwhile, some prefer more traditional systems, like setting a fixed monthly amount or using automated banking apps for savings.
Despite the criticism it has received, the “envelope system” highlights the growing interest in innovative financial management strategies. For those willing to try it, Cremades insists that the key to success lies in consistency and adjusting the method to personal circumstances. Because, as he reminds us, any amount we manage to save, no matter how small, is a step towards financial stability.
Article originally written in Spanish, before being translated with the assistance of AI, and edited by William Allen.
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