Stopping the backsliding… a family of four no longer living beyond their means

Baileys_Babe

Have a lovely time camping.

Bluegreen143

Yes, it did arrive thankfully! It’s not very often it comes so late so we were a bit worried.

Had a much-needed lie in today and we’re now packing up camping stuff and generally tidying up.

I did just sew up the straps of my favourite sundress (one had broken but I took the other off too and redid them so the fixed one wouldn’t look different to the other). It’s a job that’s been hanging over me for ages so glad it’s done. I still need to hem a new maxi dress I got a couple of weeks ago as it’s too long and I currently have both a Rainbows and Cubs badge waiting to be sewed on… the little jobs never end 🤣.

I think I forgot to say we got paid our child benefit (£179.80) so I allocated within the YNAB budget, topping up the petrol and groceries budgets and putting some towards our next unfunded “upcoming priority” on the list which is for gifts/travel for the weddings of two of Red’s nephew, both coincidentally being held in August.

In fact it might be useful for me to keep the upcoming priorities list on here and update as they are being funded:

• My nephew’s first birthday - June (£25/£50)
• Cub camp - June (£50/£100)
• Scotland holiday accommodation - June (£400/£800)
• Majorca holiday spending - end June (£250/£500
• Watersports summer club for both kids - July - FULLY FUNDED & BOOKED (£172/£172)
• Scotland holiday spending money - July (£0/£500)
• Red’s nephews weddings - August (£50/£200)
• My birthday potluck & garden party - August (£0/£250)
• October road trip with kids TBC - October (£0/£500)
• Halloween costumes & sweets - October (£0/£60)
• Bonfire Night fireworks - November (£0/£75)
• Monkey’s birthday & party - December (£0/£350)
• Bambi’s birthday & party - December (£0/£350)
• Christmas - December (£0/£900)

My hope is that within a couple of months all of these are looking much healthier. A couple are TBC - we could skip or reduce the budget if finances don’t allow - but they are all things we do really want to do.

The other (really important) aim of course is the emergency fund, currently £0. So I’ll track that on here too. I’m initially aiming for £2,000 in there but after we’ve reached that will set a new target.

Bluegreen143

Had a lovely dinner with our friends last night. It was one of Red’s oldest friends + his wife and so great to see them both as it’s been a while since I’ve seen the wife. They don’t have kids and couldn’t arrive til later after work, so we fed our kids pesto pasta earlier and let them watch a movie while we ate.

We were super organised yesterday and everything bar toothbrushes and jackets is packed in the car, so will have a reasonably relaxed morning til we leave at lunchtime. My main task is to give the Guinea pig run their weekly full clean out and prep a couple of tubs of veggies for them, for the fridge. We have our next door neighbours popping in to feed them while we’re away.

Also need to book & order Monday’s Tesco shop, where we will be back to being as frugal as possible!

No spending to report since my last post.

Bluegreen143

Had a fabulous time camping and paddleboarding with our friends - I love to see all the kids running about wild together all weekend!

Red and I are agreed it’s been the best camping trip we’ve ever had. I think we want to make a couple of purchases to streamline our set up, but not until we’ve budgeted some money for it.

Spending report

Petrol £40

Groceries £81.89 (delivery for this week)

Meal deals & snacks on the way home £20.05

Bluegreen143

Forgot to update yesterday - I was working quite late and just rushed home in time for dinner. Will be the same today, just rushing home to pick up the kids from a friend, then I’ll be back out as I’m staying in a hotel an hour away tonight ready for the final chaos day of this week on Thursday.

No spending to report. Need to book a Tesco delivery today for tomorrow though.

Red is paid on Friday so I shall get to play with my YNAB budget again! Love getting to allocate some new shiny £ out 🤣.