Keeping on the Straight and Narrow...

DancingInTheRain

CV updated and submitted today, going to try not to think about this too much for now as I'm already feeling nervous about my return to work 3 weeks today which is enough to deal with in itself having been off for almost a full year, will take a little bit of getting used to again

As that took up most of the morning, along with the fun that is DS2 who is turning into quite a handful, I took both boys to soft play this afternoon. They let off a lot of steam and I enjoyed a cuppa. As previously mentioned, I used what was left from hubby's winnings from last Saturday so was a nice treat. Both boys fast asleep by 7pm and hubby working late tonight so a nice chilled evening for me now that the usual chores are out of the way :T

Additional spend today paying a small bill for a repair on my car last month, my mechanic has been away so taken longer than usual for him to give us our bill so I'd pretty much forgotten about it but have transferred the £45 it cost from my annual bills pot so at least I could cover it.

The annual bills pot is now looking very sorry for itself, as the vast majority of our annual bills needed paid May/June. Having said that, I'd say it's definitely been worth sacrificing some other things to top this pot up monthly as there is no way we could have covered these bills from our reduced income on top of normal spending. We only started paying in to this when I found out I was pregnant again early last year and it's something we'll keep doing as it really has been a financial life saver for us.

I'd be much happier to be debt free and contributing more to the family income but I'm so grateful to be budgeting what we do have so much better as a result of these issues. I truly feel I've learned so much from all the lovely people who contribute to these forums.

Once I'm earning again me and hubby need to make sure we keep focused and don't give in to 'we're tired' 'we have no time' 'let's get a takeaway' 'we work hard, we deserve it' mentality we've been guilty of in the past. We've got a real opportunity here and I don't want us to waste it.

This turned in to a bit of a monologue, sorry!

Mini goal for tomorrow - NSD, they're just not happening this week - must do better!!!

nomorecredit

Good luck with the job application.

Returning to work is hard lots of emotions, I also found that once I was off on maternity leave I was off 19 months in 2 years I didn't think about work one bit and then when I went back it had knocked my confidence which I didn't expect and took my a while to get back into it along with the mum guilt of not being with my girls. I have a nice balance now but my two are both at school.

Sounds like a fun afternoon and hope you are enjoying some chill time now the little ones are in bed.

You will get there and heading in the right direction and very focused and determined you got this :-)

If it makes you feel any better I am trying to get a couple of NSD's but they just aren't happening !!

Enjoy the rest of your evening and more importantly the next 3 weeks before going back to work.

Best wishes
NMC xxx

FootyFanDan

DancingInTheRain wrote: »

CV updated and submitted today, going to try not to think about this too much for now as I'm already feeling nervous about my return to work 3 weeks today which is enough to deal with in itself having been off for almost a full year, will take a little bit of getting used to again

As that took up most of the morning, along with the fun that is DS2 who is turning into quite a handful, I took both boys to soft play this afternoon. They let off a lot of steam and I enjoyed a cuppa. As previously mentioned, I used what was left from hubby's winnings from last Saturday so was a nice treat. Both boys fast asleep by 7pm and hubby working late tonight so a nice chilled evening for me now that the usual chores are out of the way :T

Additional spend today paying a small bill for a repair on my car last month, my mechanic has been away so taken longer than usual for him to give us our bill so I'd pretty much forgotten about it but have transferred the £45 it cost from my annual bills pot so at least I could cover it.

The annual bills pot is now looking very sorry for itself, as the vast majority of our annual bills needed paid May/June. Having said that, I'd say it's definitely been worth sacrificing some other things to top this pot up monthly as there is no way we could have covered these bills from our reduced income on top of normal spending. We only started paying in to this when I found out I was pregnant again early last year and it's something we'll keep doing as it really has been a financial life saver for us.

I'd be much happier to be debt free and contributing more to the family income but I'm so grateful to be budgeting what we do have so much better as a result of these issues. I truly feel I've learned so much from all the lovely people who contribute to these forums.

Once I'm earning again me and hubby need to make sure we keep focused and don't give in to 'we're tired' 'we have no time' 'let's get a takeaway' 'we work hard, we deserve it' mentality we've been guilty of in the past. We've got a real opportunity here and I don't want us to waste it.

This turned in to a bit of a monologue, sorry!

Mini goal for tomorrow - NSD, they're just not happening this week - must do better!!!

Sounds like a super busy day haha.

I am currently just going through the annual bills stage and i am so envious of people who have already gone down this route as i know my budget would be so much healthier for doing this. I can't wait til this point next year where i know that i will have the funds to pay in full on insurance/car tax.car breakdown

I never really thought of the benfits of doing it that way before if i a being honest it was just the done thing to pay monthly, i have already picked up so much useful info from been here and i can not wait til i am in a better financial position.

DancingInTheRain

Thanks both.

NMC I have exactly the same feelings about returning to work and guilt. When I returned from maternity leave with DS1 I was put on redundancy consultation on my first day back which meant I was unemployed 4 weeks later (Xmas Eve to be exact!!!:mad:). No chance of that happening in my current job thankfully but I think subconsciously this may be adding to my feelings of anxiety.

Dan I honestly can't recommend the monthly saving pots enough, we've had a few months where we nearly thought 'sod it, it's leaving us short on money for other things' but we're both so glad we perservered as it's made this last couple of months of zero income for me a whole lot easier.

Another sunny day here, so packed a few snacks and drinks & put DS2 in his pram, picked DS1 up from nursery and spent a couple of hours in the park. Both boys worn out again so I'm in for a 'fun' couple of hours until bedtime.

Also managed a NSD :j and in debt busting news, a 22p payout from TCB has gone across to CC1

Every penny counts right? :rotfl:

FootyFanDan

I am defo going to do the money pots to save for annual costs. I think it will take time to get used to doing it, but once I see the benefits and after the 1st year of doing it that way it will hopefully get easier to do . Ideally I would love not to have much on direct debit but I think that is a while away yet haha. I am still so early into learning how to budget properly.

DancingInTheRain

Mixed fortunes today - I spent a bit of time listing around 30 low value items on eBay last night, all items priced between £5 and £10 on buy it now with the option of offers. So far 6 items sold so have packed and posted those. After paying selling fees and postage I've ended up with £25.61 profit which has been sent across to CC1.

Hubby working a later than usual shift today which led to him missing out on a free parking space at work, had to pay £6 to park at the nearby chargeable car park

As planned I also went for the so called 'top up' shop today, £69.84 spent

This did include a £17 spend on alcohol and £5 on a new beaker for DS2 and socket covers to baby proof a few things.

Total grocery spends for June now at £323.79

This month is the first time I've started tracking grocery spends and, as mentioned previously, does include everything - medicines, cleaning products, toiletries, baby items, alcohol. It's certainly been an eye opener to say the least, not sure what to do with the information just yet as some costs can't really be cut e.g. nappies and formula (although this cost is dropping as DS2 is less reliant on milk) and some costs we don't want to cut (alcohol ) Food and drink is definitely our indulgence, more so since having the children, so will continue to monitor over the next few weeks before making any definitive plans here.

DancingInTheRain

Just been checking my current account and today's spends have cleared already so account tidy of £3.93 also sent across to CC1, will help to ease the feelings of guilt I have for the big grocery spends this week.

Next weeks groceries will have to come in cheaper as funds are getting low ahead of payday next Friday, which is 2 days early due to payday falling on a weekend. Ideally I don't want to touch this wage until July 1st so will give me a bit of motivation to be strict and stick to the shopping list.

DancingInTheRain

Not much to report today other than a NSD a total of 10/30 for June. This was thanks to my beautiful mum who took me and the boys to a lovely local cafe this morning and treated us all to coffee, juice and cake.

The boys love her to pieces and was lovely to spend some time together as poor hubby working again today:( so that got us out this morning and then lovely BIL & SIL invited us round this afternoon so they boys got to play with their cousins which they all love, even had the added bonus of lots of sunshine.

Hubby's got a much needed day off tomorrow then another full on week on this specific project next week then should be back to more regular hours for a while, will be nice to spend some time with him

No more Ebay sales yet and Receipt Hog and Prolific are both hovering ridiculously close to payout, don't they know I have a debt mountain to shift???

Hope Saturday's treated everyone kindly x

FootyFanDan

Sounds like you have had a nice day and the bonus of a NSD . A bit crap that you hubby had to work, i know the feeling of wishing i got more time at home with DD than i currently do, hopefully you can all enjoy his day off 2morrow.

DancingInTheRain

Nothing much to report today, just checking in to keep myself accountable.

All 4 of us were shattered after our busy days yesterday so other than the boys playing in the garden for a while we've had a very lazy day. Early nights all round ready to tackle the week ahead.

On the plus side, another NSD taking me up to 11/30 for June.

Funds are very low at the moment so have set myself a mini challenge to only spend £70 between now and next Monday when my monthly budget resets. £10 a day should be manageable as no real plans this week and we should both have enough fuel in our cars to see us through.

Update on surveys:
Yougov - 1355/5000
OnePoll - £5.35/£25.00
Prolific - £4.95/£5.00 confirmed, £1.95 pending
Receipt Hog - 1466/1500
Shoppix - 1380/3200