Five year plans for my little family

ZoPig2016

I know what you mean about the expense ETE, I did go back and forth on it but decided as long as I use it to its full potential for a good period of time, it is worth it. Loving it so far, it's persuaded me out twice so it's working! How on earth do you get 10000 steps though without going to work?

Small one has had a growth spurt these last few days and has wanted to feed constantly, crying in between. So it's been full on and we haven't done much else. DH has shopped twice, discussions before and after show he is on board with the saving plans. Big dent in the freezer now, it's nearly empty.

Weighed in today, 14st 6lb still :eek: but now I have my new toy I can start melting it off.

Onward and upward :j

ZoPig2016

It's so hot - not in a good way. I'm struggling, the small one is inconsolable.

Lost my rag today altogether when I'd rushed to get ready for our doctors app, sweating buckets, got DD into the car seat kicking and screaming when DH discovered that the car wouldn't start. So hastily rearranged the app and called out the breakdown service, the battery was flat and had to be replaced. £75 down, leaves very little cash in the account but it's payday on Friday so it will be ok. Just highlights the need for that emergency fund. I get the feeling our aging Mazda-rati will start costing more and more.

Baked again, massive mistake in hot weather but have a lovely crumble to eat with ice cream and a cake for MIL who visits us the week, looking forward to seeing her and how delighted she will be with the small ones progress.

Hardly any steps yesterday but the new Fitbit has clocked up 15000 steps since I bought it, it is making me think about moving about. Garden supplies have started to arrive, went out to water and inspect - it's a jungle. Much to do!

ZoPig2016

Update on my new goals:

Emergency fund: £89.22 / £5000
Weight loss: 0 / 62lbs
LTV JULY 2018 projection: 71% / 60%
SB points: 599 / 16,699

Payday tomorrow, last month at full pay on mat leave so need to hang on to as much as possible!

It's just too hot for me. The small one isn't dealing with it too well either. She has injections in the morning which can make babies feverish. Bless her tiny self! Getting loads of washing on the line tho.

Muser1

I feel your pain with the heat! We just aren't equipped for it. Hope injections aren't too horrid.

ZoPig2016

Weighed in again, no movement. I did I indulge in a lot of cake, chocolate and crumble while MIL was here and Fitbit is showing me how little I actually move. Need more focus on both getting out and about, as well as eating.

Food bills are down significantly since I started the diary but I think I can still do better, planning not only lunch and tea but snacks too. I'm pretty much still guessing when it comes to fruit purchasing and there's still waste. I'm going to plan when the baking should be eaten too as presently it just gets scoffed willy nilly.

I've had a breakthrough with tracking the spending properly vs the budget - twice over. First, it's making me think of the budget amounts as caps and so if I've reached one, I will then avoid spending any more. Previously the budget was more of a guess and I'd just buy what I wanted anyway regardless. Second, it's making me look again at reducing some of the heads, like the food budget. I think I can shave more off.

Went on a date with DH and ate out, just a main and two non alcoholic drinks each, but the novelty of being out was enough! Then went shopping but as we have both been of a saving mindset, came away with only what we needed and some treats for the small one on a modest scale - knowing where we're up to with the budget meant that it was enjoyable spending but under control and guilt free.

Finally tidied up the garden too, got some new plants on offers at the garden centre and it all looks fab. Invested in some mulch to come today, hoping that getting that down will save the hard weeding work and preserve the tidiness a bit longer. Once weeded it looks a bit bare in places, my new plants bought in spring have just died through being out competed by nasty weeds. However I've maxed out my home maintenance budget this month and so no more! It will have to do as it is now until next year.

greent

Just read your diary and wanted to add my (belated) welcome to the mfw forum
x

CathT

Hello and welcome. I admire your focus with a newborn too. I actually managed to read a lot with my first child once I'd figured out how to b/f one handed. I also learned how to eat one handed! Re: nursing tops I personally just used to layer so had a vest top underneath meaning in could pull one up and one down.

I will be following your diary

CathT

Sorry my post posted 3 times, just editing to save the repetition!

CathT

Last multiple post edited!

ZoPig2016

Thanks cath, bf is getting easier. Got a suitable wardrobe now that should see me through after some trial and error!

I hear you re eating one handed! She has some sort of radar, whenever my food is ready, she wants hers.