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Archive for January, 2012

End of the Month

January 31st, 2012 at 08:17 pm

It's the end of January and I didn't make any goals. Things will be different next month though. In February I'm going to aim to: pack my hospital bag, but in any last minute baby items and take some time to relax. I know none of these goals are financial.

I only have a couple more weeks left to work then I finish up for two weeks holiday then my maternity leave starts. I can't wait, I'm always tired after working all day so it will be nice to get some rest.

The baby fund is almost gone. We've got a lot to show for it though. Our list is done to about half a dozen items now e.g. sheets for moses basket, cot blankets and teats. We need to get formula too.

I've got a hospital appointment this week and I'm seeing the midwife. I have a feeling that when I finish work my time will be taken up with seeing the midwife every few weeks until baby's here.

£62.50

January 19th, 2012 at 04:35 pm

That's how much we have left in the baby fund. Last night we went shopping, and I think we done quite well. We bought:

- an electric steam steriliser
- six bottles
- 2 big packs of newborn nappies (81 nappies in each pack)
- a changing mat
- 3 outfits
- pack of bodysuits
- a bouncy chair
- a set with baby nail clippers etc
- a box full of baby toiletries

I had two coupons for £1 off each box of nappies. All in all, we spent £110.50.

We've still got more to get. I need to check the list that I have to see what else we need.

I'll need to take some more money out of savings soon. Hubby thought he had enough money to cover everything when he input it on his spreadsheet but it didn't count all the columns. The money will be replaced soon though.

Speaking of spreadsheets, hubby set up one for MIL. He showed me it today when we were over. The first thing I noticed when I looked at it is that she's only included her bills in her monthly expenses, nowhere on the list did I see her budgeting for food shopping or petrol. I told hubby he may want to mention it to her. (I also noticed she's not saving anything each month but I kept quiet about that one)

Hubby told me that, without BIL's money, MIL would be struggling. Apparently with just her wages she's overspent by £40. It must be more than that though since she hasn't budgeted for everything. Not my problem though.

I went for a growth scan today, and baby is doing well. Right now baby weighs 4lb 6oz, at the last scan he/she was 3lb. That was four weeks ago.

I'm off to read your blogs now Smile

Payday update

January 13th, 2012 at 11:13 pm

Today was payday. I phoned in sick one day last month so my pay was less than normal.

I'm not going to put any money towards my regular savings this month (apart from the automatic savings). There's two reasons for this: I want to build up my car fund and we will be buying baby stuff so I'd rather the money went there. My MOT is due next month and I don't want a repeat of last year (I had cleared CC1 and then after my MOT I added £770 to it) I'm really hoping that it won't be half as bad this year, so I'm trying to be prepared.

Hopefully having a car fund this year will benefit me. Also, I spoke to hubby and if it comes to it I would rather take money out of savings to pay for any work that needs done. I just don't want any more credit card debt, especially with a baby on the way. I'm confident that we will be able to replenish any money taken out of savings... but I'm hoping it won't come to that.

I paid extra towards both credit cards. Hubby gave me £80 towards CC2 so I paid that straight away.

My final car payment is due in April. We're starting to put money aside for it since it is double my usual payment. By the time April comes I will be on maternity leave and not receiving full pay so I have to be organised.

Baby fund will be wiped out tomorrow. We're going shopping. I have a list of things that I need to get. We're going early, I hate the shopping centre on a Saturday afternoon.

2012 Goals

January 1st, 2012 at 03:23 pm

Happy New Year everyone!

I've spent a while thinking about my goals for this year. I've tried to make them realistic. After all, we will have a baby to look after this year and I will be on maternity leave for most of the year.


2012 Goals:
[] Reduce CC2 by half
[] Reduce CC1 by half
[] Car fund to £100
[] EF to £100
[] Savings to £700

I have withdrawn the money from savings to buy the pram. We will be buying it soon. So it will be nice to get our savings back up. However, I'd also love to get rid of most of my credit card debt.