Our attempt at being MF!!

CathT

After spending a bit of time yesterday trying to find the cheapest price for the new xbox game for DH I ended up buying it on Amazon for a few £ more but was able to pay for it using vouchers. I think DH probably realises that I am going to OP the £40 he will give me!! He has budgeted well this month so he could buy it - why can't he budget so well every month!!

I really want to do a budget/plan for next year but once again need to wait for payday to see if my mat pay is acceptable! If it reduces at the level it has the last 2 months they will be asking me for money! We have had to be extra careful this month and although I had to work the accounts differently I have kept a running total of grocery/petrol spends so far since 23rd and we have only spent £180. We still have meat in the freezer from my market trip 2 weeks ago. Tbh I think it is easier to stay out of the shop now I have an extra child in tow! I haven't worked out how to easily/quickly get them in and out of car and shop if I need to pop for milk/bread etc so instead DH gets it on the way home from work!

TC/CB go in tomorrow (my first of the increased payment which is very nice!) so I think we have about £140 to last us 11 days which should be easily done. I wonder if I can send an OP from this!!

mortgage_girl

Hey CathT - just thought i'd stop by to say 'hi'. It looks like you're doing a great job - keep up the good work!

mg x

wantabetterlife

Hi Cath, you seem to be doing really well with the bugeting :j. After i had the third baby i also found that it was really difficult to get to the shops, however it didnt affect my ability to shop on line

CathT

mortgage_girl wrote: »

Hey CathT - just thought i'd stop by to say 'hi'. It looks like you're doing a great job - keep up the good work!

mg x

Thanks for popping in

wantabetterlife wrote: »

Hi Cath, you seem to be doing really well with the bugeting :j. After i had the third baby i also found that it was really difficult to get to the shops, however it didnt affect my ability to shop on line

I need to stay away from any form of shopping!! :rotfl:


My voucher from Toluna has finally processed so I have added £15 to my Amazon account today which was a little low after buying DH's game. Should have another £5 on Thurs from BP too. I really want to get my Christmas shopping finished.

Popped out for some shopping to keep us going for a few days but ended up spending £52 but it should last us until the 18th (payday). Have a stew cooking away in the slow cooker which is perfect warming food.

CathT

Not much happening here! Trying to declutter as much as possible! One bulky item skipped and one taken to charity shop yesterday and charity bag also filled and collected.

Have started up the renovation savings again with a small target (enough for new boiler) hoping it spurs me on to save aswell as OP.

Both cars need insurance renewals next month so need to get on and find some good quotes/cashback deals.

earthgirl

Cath, lovely to catch up on your diary and hear your news. You constant chipping away really inspires me to be better! Thanks!

yukkibear

Well done Cath, I desperately need to declutter!

CathT

earthgirl wrote: »

Cath, lovely to catch up on your diary and hear your news. You constant chipping away really inspires me to be better! Thanks!

yukkibear wrote: »

Well done Cath, I desperately need to declutter!

Thanks, it's slow but steady. Playroom looking a little better.

Have decluttered another item for £5.

I wish I knew what my wages were to do a thorough financial plan. Our TC are a huge bonus and should continue through to the next tax year despite me being in work so this extra definitely needs to be saved as we won't have it the following year.

Need to book tickets for the pantomime (Jack and the Beanstalk) which DD loves. She took the flyer to bed with her last night!

I feel amazing today, the 2 hourly feeds became 3 hourly ish yesterday so I have had some better chunks of sleep.

wantabetterlife

You work in the NHS cath right? When i was on maternity leave it was full pay for 8 weeks, half pay plus SMP for 18 weeks and SMP only for 13 weeks

Brodiebobs

I havent worked in NHS but though it was pretty compulsory for your employer to give you a breakdown of your mat pay, maybe contact HR?

When i had youngest i worked for a pretty big company and as soon as i announced pregnancy and my dates were given to HR they sent me an estimate by e-mail, then this was confirmed in writing when i got to 30 weeks.