I have a secret envelope, and it is hidden in a special place. At one point last year, this envelope had $2,500 in it. The money that goes into it does not come from a paycheck or tips from a part time job. The money in this secret envelope comes from selling items we no longer need around the house.

This envelope is my envelope. I get to choose where to spend the money. It has funded some really nice things like a new chair for the office and upgraded tile for the new shower. I was...