Not Tiny, Not Courageous, but definitely in debt

tiny_courageous

Between morning sickness and constant tiredness, I've totally lost track of moneysaving. Not that I've actually been spending a lot, but I haven't been keeping track of NSDs, I've been eating crap and fortunately not drinking at all.

Anyway, it was payday last week, got a nice mileage payment so split that half between savings and half on the credit card. I've realised I'll need a bit of a lump sum to supplement maternity pay, so everything I have left over will split between savings and paying off debts from now on.

In terms of moneysaving, I've had a few more ebay sales so that will cover the ebay fees this month. One thing that is helping is not going out drinking as well - saves a fortune. If only I'd realised this 15 years ago!!! Ah well.

Baby wise, obviously it's too early to be buying anything and I'm still knicker twitching, I don't want to jinx this baby I just want everything to be ok. I'm a bit aaaaaaaaaah. Finance wise, I've already had offers of some baby things which is fab and will save us a lot, and also am quite happy to hit the car boot sales and second hand sales, freecycle etc, to get what is needed.

tiny_courageous

Got some time off work coming up so I'm planning on using that to get the house sorted... a bit. Whatever I can do for free, really. Car's going into the garage today, god knows how much that will cost, but it needs doing.

I've got a load of boxes and stuff for the tip - I'm starting to be real ruthless with "stuff" again so I'll hopefully get rid of a lot of un-used and unwanted bits. None of it is worth ebaying so charity shop or tip it is.

I'm on the lookout for a chest of drawers at the moment, there's a couple of second hand shops near me and I'm scouring ebay. I don't really mind what they look like but functional and sturdy will do me.

So, that's the plan.

tiny_courageous

None of that last post was very debtbusting, was it? Morning sickness and everlasting tiredness is kicking my ar*e right now but at least if I don't go out I can't spend any money!

Not drinking is saving me a fortune still. I could get used to this.

Scan is 25th March, maybe I'll start buying things after that. Maybe...

Car insurance due end of March, I've done some brief checks on compare the meercat and we're potentially £200 less than last year which is great. That would be great and an extra £200 in the baby fund.

Did the contents insurance last week. £80 with £20 cashback so that's good. Mobile phone contract fixed for a year at £10 a month which is brilliant.

Will sit and do some surveys this afternoon I think. And might raid home bargains as I love that shop.

tiny_courageous

Car has cost a fortune but is now fixed, fortunately. At least I did have the money saved so it hasn't had to go on the credit card or increase the debt.

Using up stuff in the kitchen at the moment - want to get the freezer defrosted and get rid of some of the tins and things lying around. Anyone got any ideas for tofu?!!!

Also need a sort out of DVDs and videos. Books, I don't get rid of but I'm not precious about DVDs.

GTM seem to be changing their rewards at the moment so we'll see how that goes. Valued Opinions seems to be slowing down, but that always goes in stages. Myvoice is rolling along well.

tiny_courageous

Did some decluttering today. Not a huge amount but it's a start. Kitchen is also looking a bit tidier. I have also discovered that if I put off ironing long enough, I will discover clothes I had forgotten I owned at the back of the wardrobe. I think this is a sign that I need to sort out the wardrobe again.

Payday has been and gone so payments have been made to credit cards and savings accounts accordingly. Council tax has gone down by £9 a month which is good, and gas/electric by £10 - every little helps!

Looking at my finances, I realistically want to have saved £2000 to help with maternity leave, and to be down to one credit card and the loan (which has 18 months left approximately). I think I should be rid of the second credit card in 2 months, so then if I get as much as possible off the other one the minimum payment will be less during mat leave. I also know if all else fails, I can take a payment holiday on the loan. One thing I don't want to do is end up in more debt, so where cuts can be made, they will be.

tiny_courageous

So car insurance is actually due in May, not now. That's good. Did a bit of shopping today, didn't buy a lot though. Went round QS and they have a lot of cheap baby stuff which is good for future reference.

Three weeks til payday (not that I'm counting... much) so I will need another tank of fuel (£65) food (£60 I would say) and a few awaydays (£100 max as I'm not drinking). I am hopeful that will leave a decent amount to throw at the savings/credit card.

tiny_courageous

Had a mad month, some brilliant times - spendy but well worth it. And, a lot less spendy than I would have been had I been drinking!
Debt keeps on coming down, slowly but surely. Cashed out on myvoice surveys (£20 asda voucher) and nearly there for another Valued Opinions voucher.

Car insurance done. £200 cheaper than last year so that's good. Just need to send off proof of no claims which I'll do tomorrow. Mileage done, every little counts!

Not had to buy much babywise as yet. Registered for lots of freebies, plans to raid the car boot sales with my mum (which she's been doing already - it's brilliant, £3 for a brand new Mothercare bouncer, £10 for brand new crib, stand and mattress, loads of clothes, blankets etc). I have absolutely no problem with buying second hand where safe and possible.

Need to try to start updating this more regularly. I've slipped where it comes to work breakfast and lunches because I've not really fancied eating a lot of stuff but I need to sort that out with some smarter shopping and cooking.

tiny_courageous

So I am now down to one credit card and one loan. The credit card is coming down by £100 a month and the loan has 18 months (I think). Priority is saving now so I've got a cushion when baby gets here and wages go down. My priority is definitely saving as much as I can.

My current lethargy is helping me save money. Can't be bothered to go into town to go shopping.

tiny_courageous

Typical bank holiday Monday - the sunshine is gone. Fortunately got all the washing dried Saturday and Sunday, and now trying to resist putting the heating on as it hasn't half gone cold.

Might make some cakes this afternoon, as have started craving sweet stuff. Got some cake mixes in my last approved food order so it's a good opportunity to use them up. Will also make some pasta to be taking to work this week.

The ironing pile is nearly as tall as I am so there is no escaping it. Best get cracking.

tiny_courageous

Why are Lloyds TSB so slow at crediting money to their credit cards? I bank with Lloyds and made my last payment on my lloyds credit card last week, via internet banking. It still hasn't been credited, whereas the payment made to my barclaycard at the same time has. Bloody con it is.

So, anyway, I'm debating whether I'm better just transferring some money to my savings from my current account now, or waiting to see what's left before payday and doing it that way... hmmm.

Had such a ridiculously busy day at work, again. Exhausting at the moment. Need to download the new maternity guide and make sure I'm getting everything I should be. They're being pretty cool about time off for appointments, to be fair.