*sigh* this may take a while

That's interesting, it could definitely be a factor. A few of my friends have said their eldest children are their most frivolous.
The area we live definitely doesn't help, a lot of her friends have high earning parents. They also had their children later and most stopped at 1 or 2 children. Whereas I've just turned 40 many of her friends have parents in their late 40s. early 50s; 2 full time incomes, no childcare costs.
I've tried explaining the differences, but she's all 'well you should have stopped at 2' or 'why don't you work full time'. Neither goes down well with me!

Haha! Last time she said it, I told her if I had only planned on having 2, I'd have started later and she wouldn't exist.

In other news, I've applied for a new job. Same hospital, slight promotion, would entail more training which would lead to a bigger promotion. I'm ambiguous about it; I'd have to work 3 days at the hospital instead of the 2 I do at the moment... but the salary increase means I could drop my other 2 jobs, meaning more free time overall. On the other hand, the work would be harder and I'm unconvinced whether radiography is still for me. Will be interesting to see how it plays out....

Husband had an eye test and needs glasses for reading, only ones he liked were £100, gah. Had a run of money demands for school activities and trips this week, they totalled £42.

I've been doing some babysitting in recent weeks, which has been a nice little extra. Most of it has now gone on the items above!

I registered as a childminder last year and haven't actually used it. I'm debating setting up properly to do it... where I live, childminders can charge £6 per hour and as my youngest starts school in September, I could earn well. I need to decide if I'm definitely finished with radiography first though.

Husband and I have decided to do a belated dry January, starting on 28th and running until end of February. I'm actually dreading it and that's one of the reasons I need to do it... I've got into a habit of a drink or two most evenings to unwind. Lovely as they are, children are relentless and when the little ones are settled at 7.30, a glass of wine is my reward. I have no doubt I can do it (I've given up alcohol for each of my 5 pregnancies), but still *sigh*. Hopefully, the month of booze will help me with my weight goals... and maybe money ones too!

I am very much looking forward to pay day tomorrow, we pay our direct debits on 1st, so I won't update my totals until then, but it will be nice to have a bit of money in the bank! I already know we won't be overpaying cards this month; Christmas expenditure is sitting on a card and my tax return payment will go out. My main aim this month is to keep to budget and carry on with spending diary and mindful spending.