Managing Mat Leave

FacelessNumber

Well I've been through my March spending so far, as I think I already mentioned there's quite a bit to spend on the car this month, but we've had a further refund from HMRC too so that will help!

March Spending:
1st
14.28 - Thank you wine for some last minute childcare
2nd/3rd
NSDs
4th
53.40 - Morning / lunch out with OH and DS, trying to get some quality time in before baby arrives!
17.79 - New chargers / long cable
3.99 - Batteries
7.74 - Toiletries for hospital bag
1.70 - Parking
24.58 - Groceries
5th
74.15 - Groceries - very expensive groceries week last week, and this week too so far!
21.97 - Dog Food
50.00 - New bike for DS - got it off FB, should last him a good couple of years
1.10 - Hospital parking
9.80 - Wool Spinner thing (you put a ball of yarn on it and it spins as you crochet) - not a complete necessity but very helpful for my current project!
6th
35.00 - Flowers for Mothers Day
9.98 - Cards for Mothers Day / birthdays
7th
NSD
8th
1.75 - Sausage Roll
19.30 - Even more groceries!
9th
NSD
10th
14.99 - Ear Defenders for a trip out with DS at the end of the month
69.95 - Car

Groceries have been a bit bonkers this month so far, and I'm not entirely sure why. OH does most of the shopping. Really need to try and rein it in for the rest of March if we're going to come in under budget. Will have a look at this over the next couple of days. Otherwise nothing I'm too concerned about with spending this month.

FacelessNumber

Not much done today apart from a midwife appointment, been feeling a bit off colour. Spent 9.60 on some formula and pads at Tesco. Otherwise not much to report!

Got through a few things ok my to do list, sorted some washing, finished packing my hospital bag. Still plenty to do though, as always!

Trying to get in the habit of checking in more often to keep focused!

Aimingforthegoodlife

Oh fan news on the extra refund! Woohoo! I like the way you have outlined spends, makes sense to write it out, I do every now and then when I have been overexcited with spending! Helps accountability I think. Fab work on the savings, I have everything crossed you can reach £1k by the end of the month. Hope you are feeling better, take care!

FacelessNumber

Thanks, I find it helpful to keep me motivated if I really look at everything being spent!

FacelessNumber

NSD today, a nice quality day with my son before the baby arrives. Should have another NSD tomorrow hopefully!

Lonelygambler

Where does your OH do the food shop? 

Good luck with your second. We have two toddlers. It is bonkers!

FacelessNumber

We normally shop at Aldi, although one of the weekly shops was at Sainsbury's this week. I think it's a combination of prepping for the new baby, restrictive diet I have to have until I've had the baby (low carb, high protein so generally more expensive) and OH doing a bit of a special meal for mother's day. We should come in under our monthly budget still if we can keep it down to under £80 a week for the next two weeks, so hopefully doable!

Moneysaving win so far today - I've just redone my car insurance and managed to save £170 on my renewal price, keeping it similar to last year, and should also get £45 cashback from doing it through TCB. I've put it on my general credit card and added it to next months budget to pay off in full.

Trying to get a few last jobs done today, like sorting out all of the stuff that we've chucked in the baby room.

Lonelygambler

Well done on the car insurance. 

I've managed to get our shopping down from £150 - £85.

Hopefully we can hit an average of £100 a week. Saving £200 a month! 

Aimingforthegoodlife

Great news on the car insurance, and I am sure you can bring it in under £80 for the next two weeks, though I can imagine having to follow a strict diet makes it so much harder to budget.

FacelessNumber

Thanks for dropping in both! Baby has arrived so I've not been tracking spending for the last couple of days, just negotiating the newborn madness!