My savings journey - take 2

atush

Sounds way too organised, well done

See any Bogofs on nappies?

MaryMurphy

Not yet but then again I haven't been actively looking (I will this month though).

Also considering offering some foreign language tutoring (I am originally from another country), because 1) I think I'll enjoy it, and 2) it'll be a little bit of extra pocket money, assuming I get one or two people interested (I don't expect there to be much demand tbh).

I'm currently just looking at the kind of books/resources I'd need to get started, but I also think I should just take the plunge and see if there's any interest first, without getting too hung up on having the "perfect" materials.

Not too sure how it would all work when little one arrives mind you... but nothing ventured nothing gained! We'll see, anyway. OH is supportive so at least there's that

MaryMurphy

I am 99% done with buying one-off baby things (including nappies Atush! )

All I need to get now are very minor things for my hospital bag, but that’s about it. We’re getting a bunch of things delivered next week, so the room will be ready very soon. I only have 8 weeks to go :eek:

I also bought a few materials to help me with tutoring/teaching. There are tons of resources available online, so I’ll start putting together some vocab / phrases / exercise sheets to help me get organised. I’d like to have some materials ready to go, structered in a logical way. I have no idea how successful this will all be, but it’s worth a try I suppose. I’d be happy with one [STRIKE]victim [/STRIKE]taker for now! It’s extremely time-consuming putting together some quality materials (especially audio/dialogues – they are so important when it comes to learning a new language).

The only thing that’s holding me back is the uncertainty of when the baby might come. I doubt anyone would hire me knowing I’ll only be available for 4-8 weeks, with then a gap of at least 6 weeks after the baby is born! I might just have to content myself with putting stuff together for now.

Also, I have commenced Step 1 of becoming self-sufficient! Lol

Since moving out to the country, we’ve been toying with the idea of growing our own veg (we certainly don’t lack the outdoor space!) A work colleague has given me a few packs of peas and beans ready to sow, all I need is to buy soil and get a suitable container. My only enemy is my distinct lack of green fingers… so we’ll see how this one pans out.

Due to the previously-mentioned overspend of last month, I don’t have any spare cash to buy any Euros or anything extra/over-indulgent this month. It’ll be packed lunches and strictly no eating out for me for the next month! I go off on leave in two weeks’ time, so I only really have a fortnight to worry about. When I go off, I won’t be in town as much so I won’t have a chance or the temptation to eat out anyway (I hope…)

I’m in for a boring month, but hey ho! The cupboards, fridge and freezer are well stocked, so we’ll be fine.

MaryMurphy

I have £100 to do me until the end of the month (technically I have more, but I’d be taking it out of my savings, which I’m not really willing to do unless it’s absolutely necessary).

However, I may have gestational diabetes (I need to get my bloods checked) so depending on the severity of it I may need to change my diet and replace some of my existing staples to something more protein-based – not too sure exactly, I guess I’ll find out after the test (which I don’t know when will happen yet). if I don’t, and can carry on eating as I am, we have plenty in the cupboards to keep us going.

Tasks completed:
I have stocked up on some toiletries and other bits like that. This came out of our joint money.

Also, my hospital bag is done, ready for the “main event”.

Nothing else major has happened.

//OFF-TOPIC RANT AHEAD//
OH has gone and bought himself a tablet. He sold a bunch of his old stuff on eBay (good for him) and decided that he should then treat himself to something with the profits made. I don’t even know how to describe how I feel about it, “annoyed” is certainly one mild way of putting it. He sees his eBay money as “free” money he didn’t have before, so he obviously decided he could do what he wants with it.

We already have a tablet, it’s technically mine (I received it as a birthday present two years ago) but he can use it anytime. He already has a very good smartphone, a work laptop and a personal laptop (which is the “house” laptop, but I don’t really ever use it). It’s all so unecessary.

He used to be extremely impulsive and he has got a lot better, but I am just disappointed. I am trying very hard to keep everything well afloat for the coming months (savings, bills, etc) and also keep him informed so he knows where we stand with everything, and then off he goes and does something like that.

Whereas muggins here is using any eBay profits and spare cash to buy stuff that will be useful to us/baby. The only thing I bought for myself is one of them big support pillows, because I was getting quite severe hip pain and also needed some support around the bump. But I will be able to use it to help with feeding as well, when the time comes. So I get a pillow, he gets a tablet.

And I already know what’s going to happen. When his paternity pay kicks in for the two weeks he’s taking off, he’ll be broke because he won’t have saved enough, and guess who will have to pick up the slack (even though he knows I have all my money already accounted for and earmarked for various things for the coming months).

I don’t even care right now, I am so annoyed.
//RANT OVER//

MaryMurphy

I got over my little pity-party from last week, I have to say it but I think I was having a hormones-induced emotional meltdown. I’m over it now, Mr MM has put a lot of his money towards the house and other things that we needed, so if he wanted to treat himself I can’t argue.

Today is my last day of work. I have around £70 in the bank to do me until pay-day, along with £10 in my purse, so I’m doing OK. I am unlikely to need to put fuel in the car, and all bills are paid so there’s nothing outstanding.

I’m just patiently counting down the days now. I am quite tired and a bit mentally foggy, I definitely need to sleep more. But I feel optimistic, albeit apprehensive at the prospect of not going to work for the first time in 9 years.

Tasks completed:
Bought a lot of size 1 nappies.

Batch-made (and subsequently proceeded to drink) green smoothies. Must make more lol

Baby stuff: thanks to the favourable exchange rate, we saved almost £200 by buying all of our big baby things with a Southern company. “Smug” doesn’t even come close to describing how I feel about this it arrived last week, and everything is in order/accounted for.

“Change days”: I’ve continued to round down my current account as and when the debit card is used or a bill comes out. I hope to not have to touch this amount so I can put it towards savings for next month, but at least I have a small cushion this month if something unexpected comes up.

To be completed:
I previously outlined my maternity pay plans. I now need to consolidate my existing maternity savings pots all in one account, and I hope to be able to contribute a little towards it each month until November. Target amount is a bare minimum of £2750 based on my current share of our joint bills, the bulk of which will be covered by the sale of my upcoming Saveshare plan.

I need to get another book and accompanying CD for my tutoring project. The one I bought, whilst well researched by myself and highly recommended by various sources, turns out to be far more technical than I had imagined, and (whilst it will have its place) it will put off anyone who’s looking to learn the language just “for fun” (holidays etc). I have found a suitable set of alternative materials, so I’m happy. Thank god for the Amazon “take a peek” function!

MOT: dreading this next week. I really hope the car passes and the mechanic finds nothing majorly wrong with it

That's all I have for now!

atush

First of all, if you live n the country, dont 'buy' soil. This time of year just plant straight into the ground. I often soak my peas and beans for an hour to speed up germination.

Second, you were NOT being hormonal. You were being normal to be annoyed with him. He is acting like a child and you the parent. And acting like the baby costs are all down you to? I was annoyed just reading it.

I get he used to be worse with money but still needs to sharpen up. You should not be paying any real costs while off on maternity pay, he should carry your load and he should spend his spare cash either saving for that, or in paying for the baby things. I have to say, if I were you I would have told him straight off to get his act in gear.

Let us hope the arrival of baby will force him to grow up

MaryMurphy

Just a quick update!

I had a baby boy, he was 10 days overdue and we had a tough few months at the start but I am starting to feel a bit more normal again (he's sleeping better and generally thriving).

I do not know how single parents or parents of twins do it (looking at you atush!)

I am extending my maternity leave to the full 12 months, which means I won't be returning to work until August, and also that we are broke until I return to work! It's not a big deal, the bills are covered (between MrMM's pay and my own maternity savings), we just don't have a big pile of disposable income at the moment.

Not that it matters, our lives have changed so much over the last 7 months! What's the cinema? Or eating out? :rotfl::rotfl:

Baby is doing great, getting big and just generally being absolutely adorable. I don't know when I'll get a chance to post back on the site, but when I do I will possibly start a new thread now that so much as changed.

:wave:

atush

Glad to hear the news, but I thought you were considering shared parental leave (as you are paid more, plus dont squander it like your OH)?

I hope at least he is taking care of his obligations and not longer spending on himself.

Good luck, and catch up on your sleep.

MaryMurphy

We realised pretty much immediately that my husband isn't cut out for the life of a stay-at-home parent! He's a great dad and adores him, but staying at home with a baby isn't for everyone.

And the thought of going back to work early and leaving my baby in nursery is heartbreaking to me (totally irrational, I know, but I'm going to be a wreck when I go back to work! I never thought I'd be like this). MrMM supports my decision to not go back to work until the 12 months are up, even if it means being extra careful with our money.

No hubby has become great with money (compared to what he was before), we are now completely responsible for another human so his priorities have shifted. Things may change again when I go back to work, but we'll see.

The good news is that we're used to having much less disposable income so we can hopefully make any extra money work harder for us when I go back.

atush

Sounds like a plan

And yes, glad to see he has grown up.

Have fun.