Pay for the future and not the past

MissRikkiC

Washing is on the line and we are eating from stores. We did do a small top up shop yesterday but it was only for the essentials although hub came home with reduced price flowers for the house. Not sure what paid for them yet … grocery budget or him 🤨 

Checking over maternity budget today. 

I ordered an electric car last year (company vehicle) and it’s due end of April. This should reduce the tax I pay monthly however I have budgeted for my current pay instead of the increased figure on account of not knowing when the tax office will make the adjustment. It also means I need to make the budget work for that income and anything extra is, well extra. 

Looking at the maths and finding the positives when things are further in the future than I’d like, I can see that with savings going well between now and August, we will have the capacity to cope okay. These are very specific to us and our situation of course and don’t mean to ever sound like we’re in a comfortable position whilst moaning about it. 

Positives.

We will be able to afford the increased April energy prices. October is another matter all together but I think providing we’re not talking an extra few hundred pounds this is also manageable. 

Christmas will all be but saved for and shouldn’t feel tight come the reduced pay months. 

Overpayment of £100 against the loan or credit card, per month is budgeted for even when on maternity pay. 

A small budget for outings is accounted for, which may only mean a packed lunch and a half pint at the pub/coffee at the cafe but still shouldn’t be sniffed at! 

Pocket money for hub and I isn’t being reduced. This is already very tight in comparison to what others spend but it’s also what we’ve been used to for so long.

Lastly support with cleaning the house (when I have a toddler and a newborn) is still funded. 

These are nearly all spends which are not ‘necessary’, they can be cancelled at the drop of a hat should things go sour. And we’re extremely fortunate to be able to afford them however, we are saving hard right now and spending less across the board. That could easily be a very different story.

We also might be very lucky to also earn more due to the car situation, but, I’m not taking away from the fact I worked my backside off in my twenties to be in a good position for my 30s when I wanted a family etc etc and so it’s not just through good luck. Trying to remember that though is often harder. 

Bluegreen143

Sounds like you have a good handle on things. I often wish I’d got myself in a better position before starting a family - I was 26 when I fell pregnant with Monkey so hadn’t worked up any. Mainly though I just think if I’d had better finances beforehand I could have stayed a SAHM, but at least we are in a reasonable position now. Like you, I don’t take that for granted as I understand the code of living will be hitting people hard. 

Getting cleaning help with a toddler and newborn is a wonderful use of money, I regret not being able to as we didn’t have the money spare, but it was a stressful thing that could have been made easier with support.

MissRikkiC

Thanks @Bluegreen143 we’re far from being neutral, working on clearing the loan and credit card, mostly caused as a result of previously living in London, wedding, honeymoon, clearing student credit cards, helping out other family but we did all that without having saved because at that stage I don’t think we were able to. Anyway. Fast forward a few years and we are better off, we do have some savings albeit labelled for the baby at this stage and we’re clearing the debt we’ve accumulated. 

Today I paid an extra £75 towards the loan. I deliberated if to pay against the credit card or the loan initially as the credit card is the smaller balance but it’s also 0% whereas the loan isn’t. So for the sake of reducing the interest overall, albeit a small squiddly bit, it went against the loan. 

That will be it this month on account of attempting to Tilly tidy last month and leaving myself short. Not short as in couldn’t afford but I do try and account for most of pounds and I had managed to move them out when they were for other things so just remember I can only do the pennies in future. 

Bluegreen143

I think you’re ahead of most people though. The norm is sadly for people to ignore their debt and not try to be frugal and overpay etc. The very fact you’re addressing it means you’re ahead of the game, and you’re so organised with your plans too 🙂

MissRikkiC

Thank you @Bluegreen143

It’s in an attempt to have some control over an aspect of my life when with so many other things, that can’t be achieved 

MissRikkiC

Comings and going’s today made me realise 2 things. 

1. Our butchers and veg providers in the market are quite pricey! There seems to be an abundance of both (probably 4 fruit and veg people and 6 butchers) and there looks to be competition across the patch! I did still buy a few bits but they were one offs so maybe I’m just not use to their prices and that’s why I felt they were high. 

2. I need a budget for household hygiene purchases of maybe £10 a month, to accumulate over time and get utilised when required most. Today personal spends took the hit for new tooth brush heads and at £15 for 8 whilst it seems a good price, I wasn’t expecting to have to purchase them from my own pocket. 

Dentist today recommended flossing too which I’m sure everyone hates! After a very uncomfortable scale and polish and lots of squirming from me, I’ll do what it takes I think to stay ahead of the horrible tools that were used today. 

I also found a mobile (working from home) beautician that lives 1km from my house, who charges £6 less than my previous salon for a brow tint and wax and I don’t have to pay parking or really plan my time to get in to get my eye brows sorted so very pleased with this. I have a face again 🤪

MissRikkiC

Ohhh and I found a pressure cooker for free on market place which I’m collecting tomorrow and strangely excited about! 

MissRikkiC

Morning to all, it’s very cold here so the heating has gone back on for a couple of days. 

With that in mind though, the tumble drier hasn’t been on yet this morning despite having nappies to dry and instead I’ve resurrected the hangy radiator things from the shed and everything is drying next to the lounge radiator instead whilst the heating is on. It might take a bit long but I’ve got nappies for tomorrow so worst case I’ll need them by Saturday! They should surely be dry by then. 

Declared my spends to date so far in relation to food budget, not a great start but there is enough in. 

Used Tesco Clubcard vouchers this week to book tickets to national sealife for my daughter and us so I’m certain she will love that! Worked out £15 for the 3 of us after vouchers so seems a good saving and a cheaper fun day out. We will take snacks with us as will have lunch at home before we leave to reduce costs. 

Collecting the PC today so quite excited for that and the payment I made to the loan Monday has cleared. 

joedenise

I'm assuming you bought Braun electric toothbrush heads?  Did you know you can buy compatible heads on Ama*on which work out about 50p each - 16 for £7.99?  They seem to have stopped the ones I used to buy which were 24 for £9.99 - cost of living rise I suppose! but I find them just as good as the proper ones.

MissRikkiC

@joedenise you are correct. Thanks for the tip! I’ll look out for them next time!