Today's payday. I ordered my shopping for delivery tomorrow (4.00) instead of early next week because the fridge is practically empty (I gave it a quick wipe down this morning)and so is one of our cupboards. I spent 118.90, although 72.40 was on formula and nappies; 46.50 was on food including a few things needed for Christmas such as tin foil trays, paprika, frozen prawns and cranberry sauce. We're almost out of milk so DH is getting some today. We still need more but I'm going to Aldi for that stuff.

I paid both credit cards; 85 to cc2 and 30 to cc1. I'm optimistic that as of 9/1/15 I can pay extra to cc2 (four weeks from today, my next payday) I'm hoping that some snowflakes will come my way and help me pay it off.

I completed a SBs survey this morning. It's the first one I've done in a while. I've neglected Swagbucks but now I'm thinking I should go on it occasionally because it might, either directly or indirectly, help me with my goals for next year.

I'm going to cancel Love Film as soon as we get the film that DH wants to see and we've watched it. My package is changing from 4 discs unlimited for 10.34/month to 2 discs for 7.99.

I'm going to change my phone contract too, but I'll do that this week while I remember. My Swagbucks survey this morning was about mobile phones, otherwise I might never have remembered that I want to "upgrade". Thank you SBs. I've been meaning to do it for ages.

I spent 15 mins there wrapping one of SG's presents. She noticed it the other day so it had to be the first one to get wrapped. I added ribbon and a bow so it was fiddly but worth it. At least I'm not stressing at the last minute doing it.

We're having mince and tatties (potatoes) for dinner tonight. Mince is in the slow cooker cooking as I write, just need to get potatoes ready later.

The sun is out here but it's icy. Hope everyone is warm and safe!

I've had quite a productive day. This morning I managed to sort through clothes that I'm getting rid of. I'm donating a few bags and recycling the others.

I posted four parcels today: 11.20. They weren't Christmas presents. I'll post Christmas presents next week.

We were talking today and DH mentioned no housework on Christmas Day. I'll need to do dishes and a tidy up obviously. I think he means no sorting out laundry etc. I'll just need to be caught up by then. What does everyone else do?

We met my mum for a coffee: 7.xx for a hot chocolate, a latte and a gingerbread man for SG.

Then we went into my favourite charity shop where I spent 13 on two Christmas presents for SG, two dresses (one for Christmas Day, the other Boxing Day)and a Christmas top for J. We went up for outfits for the kids but I wasn't planning on getting them from there. It pays to go there first. Then, before we left the shop I found some more toys that SG liked so my mum gave me 5.00 towards that so that was only 1.25.

Well more money went out today than should have. We got pizza for dinner. My idea. There will be no more treats for the rest of this pay period. There;s plenty leftover to have for lunch tomorrow.

Sent hubby to Aldi with a list for our shopping. £71 later

While he was at Aldi I ordered enough formula and nappies (hopefully) for the next four weeks. That was another £71, maybe 72. This was all things that we needed. I got another pound delivery slot so that's being delivered on Wednesday.

I'm making a roast for dinner tomorrow. I'm expecting to get three meals out of the huge chicken that DH bought.

Today was payday. There's not much to report. I paid some bills. We went to the local shop and bought some groceries and formula, that was 19.xx. I'm waiting on my credit cards updating so I can make a payment.

I've still got some presents to buy for Christmas. They're in shops that don't take my vouchers. The plan is to not go crazy. Next year I think I'll have some cash savings for Christmas.

I was really tired and wanted to order a takeaway. But I didn't.

I went shopping today, spent 6.83 at Aldi on fruit, bread and some meat. It was freezing. I had my warm jacket on but I was cold waiting on the bus. Hat, scarf and gloves next time I think.

I sorted out some of J's clothes today that we were given. It didn't take too long and now there's more space in SG's room. I also tried some of the clothes on him while I was doing it. It's so nice to have a willing model; SG is a different story.

I paid 30 to the new credit card yesterday. It will take a few days to update though.

I'm starting to think about next year's goals.

I made sausage casserole in the slow cooker today. It's all gone now, and so are almost all of our dishes (the slow cooker is still waiting but will be done tomorrow)

I'm using a ham hough for the first time in lentil soup tomorrow. So I guess it's really lentil and ham soup. I had to search for a recipe because I've never used it before; I only bought it because it was so cheap. Actually, it was hubby who bought it because he couldn't find a pork shoulder joint.

On Saturday I'm making a tortilla bake. I would normally only make one using the Old El Paso kits - a box with tortillas, sauce and seasoning, you just need to add mince, peppers and cheese I think - but I ordered a lot of tortillas from Approved Foods and they're sitting in my freezer waiting to be used.

I watched a Christmas cooking show on the Food Network. They made a mixed berry cheesecake and it looked amazing. I've decided to make that for Boxing Day.

Tomorrow after work I've asked hubby to buy a new pack of blank cards and envelopes. We agreed that SG will make a card for MIL even though they still aren't talking. I'll also include a few professional pics from J's newborn shoot that have been sitting here for months. We were supposed to give them to her ages ago but they fell out. I want the card made this weekend so I can send it second class on Monday.

I've been thinking about my goals for this year. One of them was to get CC1's minimum payment to 25. Well that's the minimum payment for my new card. Does that count? I don't feel as though I've earned the right to cross that goal off my list because all I did was do a balance transfer.

Recently I've noticed that I've been trying extra hard to save money while at the same time having a lot of unplanned - usually impulsive - spending. This is a new problem.

I'm a member of a FB page that auctions of items to help a charity. I love this charity. I'm not sure if it's because I've been a member for a few years and read their story (their nine month old died) that I really feel involved with their story. Lately, as in two weeks ago roughly, I won my first auction. I had only bid £1 but it was the highest bid and I won. I paid the money, feeling great about giving to charity. The following week, I bid on some more items, not intending to win but just to start the bidding process and help raise money. Well, I won. I've won two more since then. I've spent almost thirty pounds on this charity. All unplanned. The good news is that it's for SG and J's xmas.


I've managed to stretch a 750g packet of mince into three meals for us. I think hubby is sick of mince now but he knows the situation.

We went through next pay's budget with a fine tooth comb and it's going to be just as bad as this month (not due to impulsive spends though) I might have to transfer money out of savings this pay because it is that bad. I'm so disappointed in myself because I already did this in May I think it was, and now I have to do it again. It was nearly at one hundred pounds again. I don't want to do this every few months, it's like one step forward, three steps back.

Since baby J arrived just over six weeks ago, I've noticed a few things:

- I haven't tracked my outgoings.

Usually I get paid and as I pay my bills, I tick off each item in my notebook. The last time I updated my notebook was June before J was born.
I mentioned to hubby that I hadn't done this and he didn't seem concerned. I do check my bank balance when I get the chance so I know what's coming out. Also a lot of the stuff is the same every month so the dates are forever stored in my head.

- I'm spending money left, right and centre.

I posted about ordering the perfect prep machine. We seem to be at the shops more/ordering online more. I am waiting on a £20 eCoupon from Tesco though so that is my reason for doing two online shops recently. Plus it's a lot easier to shop online.
We've also had takeaways and have eaten out a few times.

- It's tough juggling a toddler, newborn and housework.

I'm feeling productive this morning because I've put a load of washing on, put some clothes on the airer and put some dishes away (SG slept late after getting up in the early hours last night) Who knows? This might be all I get done. I've managed to post here too so I'm going to include that since it's so difficult to update these days.

- My credit cards remain untouched.

I only mention this because when I was on maternity leave with SG both cards were still active. I remember using my credit card to get gas and electricity at the local shop. Cringe. CC2 has been closed for over a year now and there's no way I'm going to touch CC1. In fact they sent me a new card last year and I didn't even bother phoning to activate it.

- We're slowly building our EF.

Very, very slowly. I wiped it out a few months ago when I was off sick and both our pays were dire. When I say "wiped out" I withdrew 100 which was the most it had ever been at.Every week it's getting added to.

I think that's all.

SG is having lunch a.d JI is sleeping so I've got a few moments to update.

Last week was payday. I paid extra to CC1, so I'm anxiously awaiting for the statement updater. You'd think I was paying off the balance in full with the way I'm acting.

We paid back BIL the money that we owed him: 170. He helped a lot when we were struggling so it's nice to not have to worry about that anymore. We used the money that we got back from overpaying our rent.

I splurged and ordered a Tommee Tippee Perfect Prep machine. I compared a lot of prices at different stores and found one for 66; everywhere else wanted 99. It should save a lot of time when making bottles, and it'll be a life saver during the night. I wasn't planning on getting one until we seen our friend using hers, it was so quick and I was so tired that I decided we should get one. I will sell it next year when we no longer need it.`

Today is payday. I was so disappointed this morning when I checked my bank balance to see that I got half of what I was expecting. Hubby is at work so I don't know what he got paid yet.

The doctor approved me to go back to work next week as a phased return on reduced hours. So, my pay at the end of this month, will probably be about the same as this was.

Yesterday I bought a second hand lightweight pram. I noticed it was on one of the selling pages on Facebook. By chance, the woman selling it lives in my town. Her husband dropped it off last night, and, small world that it is, he used to work with hubby. It was fifty pounds. (I used the money I had claimed from my health plan from being in hospital) I checked online and it's RRP is 123.

For baby number two, that is. I spent £45 online because there was a baby event. This wasn't budgeted for. Now that it's here though I'm pleased I've started.

Hubby got SG's old clothes out from the back of our biggest cupboard. I picked out all of the neutral bodysuits and sleepsuits, and some of the girly ones too just in case. My cousin gave us boys clothes so I will sort that out too. It seems like I only need to buy some more hats, scratch mitts and socks for this baby. I do feel like I should have a few new outfits on hand though since SG got everything new - it's only fair, isn't it? Or is this just what happens with a second child?

Hubby wants to use the pram that we had for SG but I hate it because it's so heavy and awkward. Also it doesn't fold down. I was looking at prams in the catalogue, they're so expensive. Whatever happens it will be a pain because we're in a first floor flat.

My mum came over yesterday. I had to borrow some money from her for bus fares and food shopping, which I hate doing. If I hadn't bought that stuff I wouldn't have needed to borrow money. Whilst here, my mum was asking what baby stuff we need so I gave her a list of basic baby essentials to pick from e.g. nappies (can never have too many) and hats and mitts.

I spent 16.xx at Tesco on party food, although this did include a jar of coffee (2.50 store brand) and a box of decaf tea bags which were also store brand and under two pounds. I bought a six pack of bubbles for 1.50 to put into the party bags.

Hubby commented when I came home that this has turned into a party. It's true, it has; a last minute party which is really badly organised. Next year I will budget money for SG's party - or birthday event - because we will probably do something. I was organised for her gift (although we're still waiting on a sale item arriving, so that'll be a few days late) just not this.

I was going to make potato salad for the buffet until I realised that I don;t have all of the ingredients, not even spring onion. Oh well.

On a totally different subject, this morning I checked my mum's online bank account (I'm allowed to, I set it up, she doesn't have a computer) to see that she hadn't left enough money in for one of her bills, so I transferred the difference, £12 out of savings. I then phoned her and explained what I had to do. She said she completely forgot that this payment was due out this week. I used that opportunity to say why this was a good reason to have savings (says me, with hardly any)otherwise she would have been charged by her bank for an unauthorised overdraft (5/day) Needless to say, she said keep on saving.

Last night, just as I was heading to bed, I got a message from one of my friends that I had invited to SG's little gathering. She's coming with her little boy. I immediately started to look at kids party snacks online again and decided that I need to get a few party bags since there's an extra child. If everyone shows up, there will be five kids and six adults. Hubby commented that we need more adult snacks for the parents so when he comes home from work I'm going to Tesco to get some more snacks, and party bags. I'm annoyed at myself for not planning this better because I would have bought the stuff in ages ago!

I'm going to write a list soon and aim to spend as little as possible. Wish me luck.

I asked hubby to pick up some decorations for SG's birthday yesterday. He spent twenty pounds, I'm sure I told him I only wanted to spend ten max so he is paying half. We've got a lot of balloons but SG loves so I guess it's worth it, we've not spent much on her actual presents.

Hubby has the day off for SG's birthday so we've invited a few toddlers over,we'll have family over the day before. I'm going to buy some snacks at Aldi tomorrow but not too much. I might just make some jam sandwiches, cheese sandwiches and buy some cocktail sausages, fruit and crisps.

I went to the doctor's yesterday. I should be back at work next week. Then I'll be counting down until I finish up for maternity leave.

My cousin text me yesterday asking if we could buy clothes instead of chocolate for her boys at Easter. Last year I went to Tesco and spent £30 on two outfits for them, and I used my credit card. This year they will get small gifts.

Speaking of gifts, there's a few that I need to buy this week. They're all for two year old boys.

I blew just over half of our grocery budget today:

- 38.99 at the butcher's
- 2.23 for bread and lettuce

Total: 41.22

Ten pounds was also added to my EF today, this is my automatic deposit that goes in every four weeks. That brings my new total to 85.00.

Today is payday. This is what I've paid so far:

- Littlewoods 138.32
- Vertbaudet 12.00
- BoS 80
- Capital One 90
-Christmas savings 40
- bus ticket 73.20

Total: 433.52

I wanted to pay 100 to Capital One (cc1) but hubby's pay was less than we thought it would be. Also, due to this, I'm only budgeting 80 for shopping rather than 140.

Instead of ordering food shopping online, I went to Aldi today. I spent £29 and that included a silverside beef joint which is cooking in the slow cooker just now. It also included a bag of frozen prawns that I bought so I could attempt to make fried rice.

Hubby's friend gave us the money back yesterday. We need to get gas and electricity later so we will just use that money.

I noticed that I set up my 1/wk to begin on Saturday there, instead of this Saturday. My savings balance hasn't updated yet but the money's out of my account. It's only a pound but I'm wondering where it went? I'll check again tomorrow.

Today was the day that minimum payment for Capital One was due. I'll check in a few days to see if my statement has updated. I love seeing the balance going down.

This morning I checked my bank account and was pleased to see that I had a bonus from work. I knew that today was the day that bonus was given, I just assumed that I wouldn't get one because of being off sick. Well I got 180. I sent 100 to Capital One (cc1) and paid off the rest of hubby's BNPL item (33) I might just order some food shopping for delivery online and that will be it.

Hubby thought I should put it to CC2 but I told him I was determined to get cc1 down since it's the lower balance. It makes me feel better. When I get rid of it, hubby wants me to use it for food shopping and then pay in full to help my credit rating.

I like the idea of saving the interest "saved" from paying off the BNPL item. Do you think it's silly to set up a transfer of 1/wk to my EF? (if my bank will let me, that is)

Not much to report. Went to Aldi's for milk and fruit, and I ended up getting a couple more things. I was hoping to spend £7, I spent £9.09.

I was out of the house from 8am-6pm today. That's the longest I've been out in a while. Trust it to fall on SB's sixth birthday. I came home to find that they had increased my daily goal to 60 - I've been doing fine with 40-50. Well I have 45 now so working on the rest. I'm Team Red but I think I've barely contributed anything, although it helps that the birthday challenge didn't start until 12pm GMT.

I brought my own lunch today but never brought drinks. I spent some money today on a few bottles of water and juice. I also bought a few more snacks, I really underestimated how thirsty I would be there plus their waiting room was so hot. It was 1.30 for a bottle of water from their vending machine, they didn't have a water cooler! I really grudged that one. Unfortunately though I had to drink plenty today though. I did make a note of how much I had spent, at least at first. I think it was almost three pounds on drinks.

Good news is that the dreaded catheter is gone, at least for now anyway. If I am able to keep doing this myself then I should be ok although I've to phone her if I have any problems. Last week she told me that if I still have bladder problems and I am able to do this myself, further on in my pregnancy the catheter will have to go back in - just out of being practical more than anything else. It will be impossible to do with a huge bump! My bump with SG was neat but I still thought I was big - each to their own, I guess. I certainly can't imagine doing this in the final few weeks of pregnancy.

Oh well I better go back to Swagbucks and try to make my goal.

Not a lot happening here:

- withdrew £20 for gas and electricity
- paid hubby's underpaid tax 11.55
- bought a baguette for me and hubby to share 2.90
- multipack of sweets to take with me to the hospital tomorrow 1.00
- paid 6.00 to BNPL item (it's a knife block set)

Total: 41.45

Hubby told me I should have just paid extra to my credit card rather than paying his BNPL item. I told him I don't want him to pay that interest but he said he was ok with it - his payment plan was 0.52/wk. Well that will be paid by April.

Yesterday I posted about hubby's BNPL item and how I wanted to pay that off. Well I should have just put something towards it because I spent 22 pounds on a chinese takeaway tonight. The worst part is, it was my idea! I'm feeling so hypocritical right now, and guilty. I told hubby the next time we get one it will be planned. I was meant to make pasta tonight but SG was at MIL's and I guess part of me thought that we deserved a treat...

In other news, hubby's friend asked to borrow ten pounds so hubby is giving it to him tomorrow. Told hubby that when he gives us the money back it's either going into the EF, starting the housing fund or towards debt. Opinions? I know that it's only ten pounds but if I don't make a plan it will probably just get spent on some unplanned purchase when I get the cash.

I had to go and see a specialist at the hospital in Edinburgh today. It isn't local, and it took me ages to get there. So there was some money spent. I need to get two buses to get there. After I got off the first bus - using my ticket so no spending required - I checked the bus times only to realise I had over half an hour to wait. I bought a few snacks (1.88) then I had to pay for my ticket (4.00). After my appointment I was so hungry that I bought a lunch time meal deal - sandwich, juice and crisps - which was 3.79.

I brought some snacks with me but I finished them while I was waiting on the bus. I also had a bottle of juice with me but by the time I got to the hospital I was finished.

After all of this spending, my appointment was actually ok. Although I have a feeling I will be back there again soon - she's going to be in touch. At least the next time I will have a better idea of bus times and I'll pack more snacks.

Today I went shopping. I spent 30.45 although I was only 45p out of pocket. How was that possible? Well I used the last of the high street vouchers that we had saved for Christmas. There were a few impulse buys at the checkout when I realised that I was under thirty pounds - and change isn't given when you use a voucher - so I made up the difference.

I should only have to buy milk and bread between now and payday.

I've really been making a conscious effort to use up leftovers.

I made corned beef hash for the first time this week. We had a lot left over so when my mum came to visit I sent her away with some. As it turns out it's a really cheap meal to make: tin of corned beef, mashed potatoes, baked beans, onions and tomato sauce. In the oven for 10-15 mins.

Sent hubby to work with some beef casserole.

MIL brought hubby home yesterday and gave us some hamburger pasta that she had made and a sausage and bean casserole. Me and SG had the casserole tonight, I just added some grated cheese. Hubby is going to have the pasta tomorrow since it's one of his favourite dishes (his mum used to make it all the time)

I've been checking our grocery budget and we have 22.37 left to last until payday (7/3). I only need to buy milk at the weekend so I'm not worried. Yet. We do have a full fridge and freezer so there's no reason to stress.

I don't normally post what I've paid but here it is:

- rent £243
- Littlewoods catalogue £137.60
- Vertbaudet catalogue £24.00*
- BoS CC £87.00
- Cap One CC £60.00
- four-weekly bus ticket £73.20

Total: £624.80

* This is a kids French catalogue that I got Dec 2012 for SG. I only have a small credit limit (£250)

One thing this post says to me, and I'm already aware of it, is this: most of my money goes to debt!!

I need to blog more often. When I post often, I'm more aware of my finances. This pay period I have spent £30 on takeaways - yet I said at the start that the takeaway that was £9 was my only splurge. Well, it was until Sunday after work when I was exhausted and a takeaway looked good. £21 later... We finished it the next night but I've been feeling bad all week.

I decided to bite the bullet this morning and pay off the rest of the Christmas tree which was one of my Buy Now Pay Later items from the catalogue. I reasoned that we got through the last six weeks so paying an extra £35 to get rid of debt is nothing.

Next on my list will be an item which cost me £199. Payment is due by 31/5/14. There's a few smaller items due before then but I'm not sure how much I afford. I'll start paying this off next pay,which is the middle of December.