Well what a year !!

NewMummy2018

Sooooo... It has been one big year for me !! I gave birth to our first baby girl in June and got engaged in October :eek: So the last few months have been a bit tight on maternity leave which has added to our debts and with a little one we are hoping to save to purchase our first home and save for a wedding! So yeah we have a lot of work to do ! Im not terrible with money but I have never been organised with it or a big saver so now I am a new mummy I want to start a fresh slate and adopt some good money skills which hopefull I will pass on to my daughter one day and any more tiny feet that may appear. I talk alot so may rant so if you can put up with that then follow along with me:j

NewMummy2018

Current Debt 02/12/2018

Lets kick this off !! Current payments in red

Credit Card 1 - £660.71 £80
Credit Card 2 - £895.15 £25 - this is 0%
Credit Card 3 - £510.00 £60 - this is 0%
Overdraft - £1300.00 Nil at the moment
Loan - £17998.29 £304

Total - £21354.15 £469

By my current calculations we will be debt free by Aug 2022 which just isnt good enough for me as I want to start saving for different things so will be working my hardest to make it earlier

As I am on maternity our payments are lower but will be going back to work part time in March so I will increase them then.

NewMummy2018

Statement of Affairs

Total Income - £2326.00 OH job is heavily commissioned but not guaranteed so we do not rely on it

Rent - £875
Council Tax - £159
Energy - £58
Wifi - £20.58
Water - £37
Tv - £52.12

O2 - £15
EE - £64.69
Gym - £13.99
Car Insurance - £33
Fuel - £50
Hair Cuts - £50

Food Shop - £242 £50 a week plus £10.50 per week for baby milk

Total Outgoings - £1670.38

So as you can see after bills and debt repayments, not a lot spare - £213.62

NewMummy2018

So I am committing myself to updating at least weekly maybe daily if the baby lets me, writing down all my spends and managing atleast 50% of the month to be no spend days! I want to use up all my stores of cosmetics/cleaning products etc, used to be a bulk buyer now I will only buy what I need. And my house needs a good clear out before Christmas so I may have some gems lying around I could list on ebay.

And on a Christmas note... All of my shopping has been done (used top cash back and black friday sales so was very thrifty). Now to get a mug of hot choccie one night this week and get it all wrapped up

jwil

Good luck Have you looked at the snowball calculator to see which is the best way of clearing your debts quickest? http://www.whatsthecost.com/snowball.aspx

chocolatepiggybank

Well done on getting all your xmas shopping done in the sales! Subscribing to follow your progress and swap wedding tips
I know you said you don't have much spare while you're on maternity leave, but I'd be tempted to throw any overpayments at either credit card 1 or the overdraft whenever you do find the cash and just stick to the minimum payments on the 0% cards - but maybe you're doing this already! Good luck and I'll be cheering you on

NewMummy2018

Thank you, yes I have done some research, the lowest credit card (although interest free) is due to run out by June with a very high interest rate which is why I have prioritised this over the overdraft.

NewMummy2018

Hi thanks for reading, yes that's pretty much what I am doing. :j

NewMummy2018

So I have made a good start today. Started with gutting the house (some of it anyway) and clearing out the wardrobes etc, nothing worth selling so I will be taking all to the local charity shop. Got out for a nice walk with the baby, was cold but she enjoyed the trees and saw a cat for the first time. I did spend £5.99 at the shop grabbing nappies which I need to make sure I incorporate into the weekly shop has its in budget but forgot on Sunday. Tomorrow will be a no spend day going to pop into town to open the babys bank account and then home for some tummy time, stories and a nap (i love that part of being of work). Anyway baby is now in bed, I am going to enjoy a prosecco and watch some rubbish TV with the OH

NewMummy2018

Another successful day. rounded down my bank account so paid £4.77 off CC1
(will update all totals at the end of the month). Also OH had his Xmas conference last week and had to buy a tuxedo (wow there expensive) so that went on CC and he purchased two ties to choose from and I took the other back to next today which is £10 to come of CC2 ! Popped in to town to open our daughters bank account and apparently you have to have an appointment now which was so annoying, so that is booked for Thursday morning! I did spend £3.75 on clay to take our little ones hand and footprint molds, we did get a kit at her baby shower but I attempted to do it whilst she was to little and it didn't work so needed to purchase more, however the £3.75 came out of change I had in my car so I am not counting that. Managed to complete some studies on prolific so that is up to around £6 now will get it a bit higher then withdraw it to go on CC1. So technically I will class today as a NSD YAYY! Should be one tomorrow as well! Fingers crossed!! I also had a call from my boss to come in next Tuesday for a KIT day so payday this month should be 3 days pay at work and hopefully my Christmas bonus, its never a lot but hey when your on maternity leave every little helps! Anyway OH is cooking me a curry and then I am going to go and lay in the bath for a while! Have a good evening everyone.

beanielou

You seem as if you are off to a great start
What is a KIT day?