A cash-only lifestyle keeps people debt-free and conscious of their spending habits. Although living with cash in hand requires careful budgeting, logging expenses and intense perseverance, in the end, there’s a big pay off: according to finance guru Dave Ramsey, consumers can save 12 to 18 percent of their money by relying on dollars instead of credit cards. Learn what tricks to use when parting ways with your plastic and how to bypass any obstacles brought about by your Benjamins.

Before you make the big switch to a solely-cash lifestyle, make sure to have a significant emergency fund built up - about six months of expenses. Then, draft your budget. You’ll need to consider your income, your fixed expenses and what you typically have left over. An effective planning method is the envelope system. First, divide your monthly expenses into categories: groceries, dining out, household products, gas, clothing/cleaners, entertainment, school tuition, vacation, gifts or extra treats. Then label each envelope with an expense and the amount you can spend on it. Each day, carry portions—not all—of your money with you, paying close attention to how much you need in your wallet. At the end of the month, put any extra loot into your savings account.

Part of the cash exclusive diet is finding deals at places that only take cash. You can sometimes get discounts at gas stations by paying with cash, and more and more doctors want patients to pay with greenbacks. Leo Babauta of Zen Habits recommends making larger purchases, like cars or rents, with cash to avoid debt and to be financially autonomous. If there is a pricey item you’re interested in but you don’t have the dough on hand, postponing the purchase will make you contemplate and value what you ultimately buy.

There are, however, some disadvantages to a cash-driven lifestyle, specifically the lack of credit rating. To build credit without having a credit card, you can take out a loan (on a car, for example) and quickly pay it off using your envelope money. There are also services your can enroll in, such as PRBC, that lets you build credit through paying your everyday bills on time. If you face online or credit-card-only purchases, a debit card can be used in those situations. Finally, you’ll need to find a secure place to store your cash. Keep only one month’s worth of money in your home and invest in a small safe if you’re worried. Don’t run to the ATM all of the time or you may end up with a ton of fees.

The cash-only life isn’t sweet for everyone, but everyone can benefit from its underlying principles. Many take the plunge in order to pull themselves out of debt. By simply keeping less cash and no cards in your pocket will decrease your consuming and increase your financial awareness, making you a smarter spender.