A stay at home mummy who wants to be a mfw - Yes I can and Yes I will!

I_want_a_baby

I hope that you find a way to get back in control of the finances soon so you can achieve being MF!

I couldn't survive without using cash envelopes for those categories that can easily go over - food, fuel & fritter (car parking, postage, a little treat for the kids etc).

I also budget to nil so each month our whole monthly income is allocated to various different pots so that the income less these pots = 0.00. I have a budget for everything all recorded on a spreadsheet so I don't have to have 50+ bank accounts. This keeps me on the straight and narrow.

Have you considered starting a diary too? I have found it really keeps me focused as I am accountable for my actions!

Stacey x

shirlgirl2004

I've just restarted my diary I tried just after we moved but the house needed too much doing and it became impossible to save at all. I might do the envelope thing for the kids clubs. We spend just over £400 a month on them and I am forever popping to the cash machine. I think I'm going to grab some envelopes now and get labelling.

I_want_a_baby

Shirlgirl I will come and find your diary in a minute!

Todays Update -
Valued Opinions Survey completed £1.50
Opinion Research Surveys completed 2 x 50p
New Vista Survey via TCB 70p
136SB earned - Balance 1151SB
4SP earned - Balance 499SP
Watched a lot of netlflix films/programmes since taking out the package - not enough to justify keeping it but certainly enjoying the free TV!

Had a hard day with the kids so ended up getting a takeaway however didn't lose my MSE ways completely, chose the cheapest takeaway (sausage & chips shared), used our budgeted takeaway spends which hadn't been touched this month yet & all going well I will put the change into the sealed tin for the house fund (I will update you guys of course!).

Had the final instalment of 2nd hand clothes for my daughter from my cousin. Very frugal indeed as almost no clothes to purchase for the next 2.5 years!!

Hoping to do our banks on Sunday and maybe just maybe do another transfer to house savings. Energy usage is a little hit & miss although not too bad - again will update on Sunday.

Due to watching a lot of TV on Netflix & much more internet usage doing surveys etc nearly went over our broadband allowance, hubby phoned BT and we managed to upgrade our broadband to unlimited and reduce our home phone to evenings/weekends and therefore sort our problem without increasing our monthly bill.

All good progress!

Stacey x

pinkypig

You are doing amazingly well. Wishing you every success.

PP xxx

newgirly

Great new diary I want a baby, I love the post where you listed everything you will be able to do as a sahm. One of the biggest plus points for me is that weekends can be spent having fun rather than catching up with chores. I really don't know how some people manage to work, raise kids and do all the mse stuff as well, it must be very hard.

Good luck with everything.

pammyj74

Great new diary, love the idea of cash envelopes. I think I will use that idea for the kids clubs, I always forget to go to the bank when the subs are due and if I have the envelopes all ready that will save me embarrassment.

Good luck in your deposit saving. Wish I had known about things like this before I started as I would probably have been MF already had I been in that midnset from the start, for years I didnt even know you could OP which is mad but I bet there are still people that dont know you can. The amount of interest you save is incredible. I have saved over £1k in interest this year alone.

I_want_a_baby

Hi pinkypig & thankyou!
Hi newgirly & yes I agree with everything you said!
Hi Pammyj74 - I have been pondering and I think I am going to set aside £5 in change for the odds and ends that DS's nursery asks for as that way I will budget for this as well.

Todays update!
My 26th birthday!! Had a lovely lie in & got woken up by my 2.5yo DS singing happy birthday.
Had some lovely birthday gifts and some gifts of money also - half of the money I am going to put into the summerhouse pot (my aim is to buy a summerhouse & kit it out shabby chic for my 30th birthday).
Had a wander in town - found 55p in a car park ticket machine so my parking only cost 55p instead of £1.30.
Bought a cardigan that I had my eye on for a while in Mr T for £12. Resisted all other impulse buys.
Visited family etc this pm.
Went slightly over the food budget for birthday by £7 but this is because the no of guests has risen by 2 & realised we had no squash for the non drinkers (ahem and I bought 2 puddings instead of 1 ).
Got given 5 butchers pork & garlic sausages free from my mum.
Free birthday swagbucks, so watched a couple of videos & now have 63SB - exceeding the daily goal of 60SB!
6SP - only did daily clicks.
£1 valued opinion survey!

Right I am off to get the food ready - an italian pizza & pasta evening!!

Stacey x

pinkypig

Happy Birthday! I think a small overspend when preparing for a party is perfectly acceptable!!!
I am a full time working mum and feel quite inspired by you as what I really would like is to be a SAHM or at least a part time working one. I am currently hatching a plan...
Well done for your continuing good efforts

PP xx

TwinnyD

Happy Birthday hope you had a lovely evening. Very jealous of your lie in!

shirlgirl2004

Happy Birthday and good to hear you treated yourself to the cardi on your birthday.

I did my children's club envelopes yesterday. I need to refine it but I think it'll work well so thank you.