Payday came and went. It was only yesterday but it doesn't feel like it. It doesn't help that we spent £50 having a meal with in-laws, then we went out afterwards.

I put £50 into savings. However, I took £40 out last week so that replaces that.

Hubby seems to have more money going out than coming in. He's away with his friends tonight. This will be his last big night out for a while, we can't afford it.

Baby fund has been started: £20.

Not added any money yet to EF or car fund. I just really wanted the baby fund started.

Looking at my revised goals for the year, I doubt I'll achieve the CC ones, especially since we've added so much to them, but I will try my best. I really should update the balances, but I've been putting it off - it's depressing.

We used the credit card to buy tools and furniture. We only done it because the furniture that hubby ordered was going to be delivered in November. November. We can't wait that long. So now hubby is going to cancel his £500 order. And we've added about £200 to my credit card.

I took my car to the garage. £477 due next week when they have the part in. Ouch.

I'm stressing about the fact we've used the credit card, even though hubby is helping me pay it off. We should be getting rid of debt now, not adding to it. Ugh.

And to top it all off I'm feeling crap today, last thing I want to do is have dinner at in-laws, but we are.

But I thought I would update anyway. It was my scan today, so we have exact dates now. I'm thirteen weeks pregnant, baby is due 15th March, so earlier than we thought. It was so nice to see on screen, moving about. We got a picture so we showed it to the parents, who were both excited. It all seems real now.

I seen my midwife for the first time this week. I had to finish work early, but I still got paid for the rest of my shift. Hubby came with me. It was an hour full of questions and taking blood, checking weight etc. Over here you have to carry your own notes about with you - I don't know why. So, I now have a folder full of my notes and another folder of suggested reading.

My scan's booked for next week, so I may be further on than I thought. We'll know on Thursday when they can give us an exact date.

We're both trying to settle in here. Hubby ordered new furniture for our room that we can take with us when we get our own place. Right now, there's not enough space for all of our clothes and I'm still in the middle of unpacking and having a clear out. If I wasn't so tired all the time I would have had it done by now. The furniture arrives next week. When it's here we're swapping rooms with my mum, who has the biggest room.

Financial wise, not much is going on. The midwife gave me a folder and spoke about vouchers I might be entitled to. We're both working so we're not entitled to anything. The only freebie I got was two sachets of herbal tea, and a coupon for 60p off appletiser.

I'm off to catch up on your blogs now.

I think it's going to take a bit of getting used to living at my mum's, hubby and my mum were almost arguing last night. I need them to keep the peace.

I've not managed to half a proper conversation with hubby about finances. From the way he was talking today he doesn't think he'll make it to October living here. He thinks we will have declared ourselves homeless by then. I'm trying to think positive, I told him we need to save more and get rid of debt before we do anything. Plus, I spent almost two years at his mum's, he can manage some time here. He's just going to have to.

As for the baby fund, hubby thinks we should start that from next pay. I say the sooner, the better. I might actually just save up what I have just now to get us started. I think he's worried we don't have enough money.

I told my manager the news this morning, and that I didn't want anyone else to know. Personally I think she asked if I was having morning sickness yet pretty loudly but never mind, nobody said anything. I ended up telling a few people, but told them to keep it quiet.

I seen on the news at work about Hurricane Irene. Who all lives in the East Coast? Hope you guys are okay.

I haven't had the chance to think of goals for next month, but I will soon.

I really wanted to update my blog yesterday but I never had the chance. I woke up before 8 yesterday so I could phone the doctors to get an appointment. I phoned at 8 and the earliest time she could give me was 5pm. We took 5pm since it was our only option.

The rest of the day, before leaving for the doctors, was spent packing and moving stuff to my mum's. It's mostly my stuff we've moved. In the time spent at in-laws I've gathered a lot of crap, so I'm going to have a massive clearout and give a lot to charity.

We spent over half an hour waiting to be called at the doctors. When I finally seen her I was exhausted so I didn't ask any questions, just told her what I knew so far. She said I should receive a letter from the midwife soon. Apparently it's the midwife that deals with it all. She said she got in touch with them electronically to let them know so I should get a letter soon. I'm going to hang off changing my address details at the doctors just now until I get the letter.

We had a close call this week. When we told people at the start of the week, we told them not to tell anyone. Apparently MIL misunderstood/didn't listen and told one of her friends. On Thursday I decided to sign on to Facebook when I noticed a huge comment that had been sent about an hour before: "CONGRATULATIONS!! So happy for you" One of MIL's friends had decided to publicly leave a comment on my page, and had changed her status to talk about how great a gran MIL will be. I deleted the comment as soon as I noticed it, and hubby got on the phone to MIL. She's now not talking to her friend, and she apologised for telling her in the first place.

I've text some of my close family members today to let them know, with strict instructions to NOT post on my Facebook page. We're telling our friends in a few weeks, and I'll let work know soon.

Some financial news now:

I paid my "digs" to MIL. Hubby spoke to her and they came to an agreement that half of my money would go towards hubby's debt.

Hubby gave me £50 towards CC2, plus I paid £50,so £100 payment. Nice.

I've finally reached my moving out fund goal, but I'm still going to add to it.

I spoke to my mum and right now she thinks £50 each from me and hubby will be enough. However, I'm not too sure if that will change. We will start giving her that next month.

As I sit here writing this entry, I'm surrounded by boxes. Yep, we're moving to my mum's this week. We're hoping to be there by Friday. I've managed to pack up most of my books and dvds so I'm hoping the rest won't take too long.

So, in my last few entries I've mentioned - a lot - that hubby definetly did not want to go. I couldn't persuade him, he was staying put till we found our own place. Well, what happened? Three pregnancy tests happened. I took one on Friday, then Saturday, then Sunday. And they all came back positive. In fact, according to the tests, I'm 3+ weeks which is about 5 weeks according to the leaflet that comes with it. You guys are the first people I've "told" apart from my mum and in-laws obviously.

Hubby told MIL we're moving out and that I'm pregnant. The first time she worried about was money - she's behind in her bills etc. Apparently - and this is the first time we've heard it - when we give her "digs" its for gas/electricity/food we've already used. Therefore, she said to hubby about wanted the money since we've used the stuff already. I don't want to leave on bad terms so I feel like I have to give her my usual money too. Hubby disagreed but I don't want her bitching about me, saying how I left things etc.

I told people at work we've moving. They were really pleased. A few people said "you should get champagne". Nobody at work knows I'm pregnant, I'm reluctant to tell them. We're going to the doctors on Friday so I'll know more then.

Oh, a few hours after we found out, me and hubby were talking and it's agreed: we need to start a baby fund now.

It seems like all I do is try to find extra hours at work. Yesterday I worked a twelve hour shift, it was only a few hours extra but I was exhausted. I've got a shift at the weekend too- basically any excuse to get out of the house. I might as well get some money for it. That being said, I earn just above the minimum wage.

Sometime soon I'm going to do some baking with my mum. She has the ingredients, I just need to find the time to go over when I'm not rushing about.

Speaking of my mum, the other day hubby questioned if we were moving to my mum's. Seriously? I said we were only going if we both agreed to it, which we clearly don't. Part of me is tempted to say I'll go myself, I'll save us some money. But I don't know if I could do that. After that, he said he wants us to move out by October. I think it'll be tough enough to aim for Christmas, never mind October. There's no way that will happen, we're halfway through August. As much as I'm going crazy here - people have started to comment on how tired and stressed I look at work - it just isn't realistic.

I told hubby he's been letting the team down: I'm the one who does extra hours at work and I'm the one who saves. I'm hoping as of next payday he'll step up. He's agreed he'll help so come payday I'll transfer the agreed amount from his current account to mine, and then to savings.

My car's making a rumbling noise. Not good. I think it's coming from the front of the car, not sure where though. I really don't want to spend any more of this car. When it's paid off in April I'll need to look into getting a new one.

Last week was crap. I had myself geared up for hubby telling MIL we're moving out, I was thinking I'd start getting rid of junk in my old room, tidy here etc. It never happened. Hubby's family dog died on Thursday. He'd been ill for months. So, hubby decided to postpone telling her.

I think he's close to changing his mind. If we do stay here he will have to talk to her about his money and the fact that we're going to manage his money for work each month. We've already bought juice for him to take to work (30 pack of cola for £7) I'm hoping that we will move but we'll see.

I probably shouldn't be writing about this since we haven't spoken to the people involved yet. However, I mentioned it to a couple of people at work so there's no harm writing about it. Basically we might be moving to my mum's house for a few months until we find a place.

It's hubby's idea. He spoke to me at work on Sunday, then again after work when I picked him up. They argued - again - before he came to work. He wanted to move to my mum's this Friday and tell his mum that night. I persuaded him otherwise thinking that telling her the same day they've argued, she'll put it down to that, plus he'd been working all day, I didn't want them to argue after he had finished work too. Financially, we've already paid our money for the month and, from what I can gather, most - if not all - of it has been spent already.

I was at my mum's and I jokingly mentioned it to her. She was all for it. However, I didn't have a proper conversation about it yet cause nothing's finalised.

DH is going to tell his mum on Saturday. I would love us to go to my mum's, so I hope it happens. I can't see MIL being happy about it but that's not our problem.

Every four weeks, hubby gives MIL money, £300 to be exact. For most of this year, hubby has been asking her to write a list explaining exactly where his money his going. Well, today she wrote the list. According to the list, the £300 is made up of:

£160 digs/rent
£15 broadband
£35 gas and electricity
£30 figurines*
£60 break money*

We disagree with the last two. The figurines are comics which DH gets every month, they started off as a gift a few years ago for his birthday. We checked the letters and the total is less than thirty pounds. As for break money, hubby works four days a week. We get paid every four weeks. Hubby gets £3 for each shift... well that only totals to £48, where's the other £12 going?

We can't do anything about is until next pay at the end of August. DH has already given her this month's money. However, he's going to talk to her before next payday. We'll take control of his break money and the figurines. For his break, we will buy juice etc so he's not spending/spending less at work. I'm just glad we finally got an answer.

Today was payday. Usually I post an update in the morning but I was working all day today so I couldn't. Anyway, I added my usual £25 to savings, taking my balance to £541.15.

Hubby has finally come round to my way of thinking, well sort of. After a few arguments with a certain person he declared that he "wanted out" and he "didn't care if it was one-bedroom cos it won't be forever" Well you can imagine how pleased I was. However, the one-bedroomed flats that Ive looked at this week require a £675 deposit, and I have less than £600 in savings so clearly it isn't happening yet. When it does happen it will wipe out my savings, so I would love to have more than the deposit saved.

Hubby disagrees with one aspect though: he thinks we will be fine just having the deposit saved, I don't. Plus, I also pointed out to him that neither one of us has a lot of disposable income which can be used towards household bills. And we both have debt.

I don't know why I've spent so long writing about something that isn't happening yet. Oh well, I can dream.

I finally have more than £500 in savings! I went to the bank today to add money. I had £20 leftover petrol money plus £2 in change. My savings balance hasn't been this high since March 2009 when I was saving for our wedding. How bad is that?

We went to England yesterday for hubby's gran's funeral. It was a lovely service. His grandad wants us to come and visit soon. We're both off in September so it would be nice to visit him then. I don't want to drive there so I'm going to compare train vs coach. Travelling by coach will be cheaper but I'll have to see what hubby wants to do.

We found out today that hubby's gran's funeral is on Wednesday. I'll need to get the day off; hubby is on a week's bereavement leave. BIL is going to drive us there, it will take about 3-4 hours to get there.

I had to make an emergency dentist appointment today. I thought I had an abscess or something similar. I haven't been able to get a good night's sleep or eat anything properly since Tuesday night. I woke up at 5am this morning to take ibuprofen. Well, it's better to get these things checked out sooner rather than later - especially when you have a funeral to go to.

I felt like a hypochondriac when I was explaining to the dentist what I thought the problem was. As it turns out, my wisdom teeth are coming through. The bottom one is here; the top one is causing the problem. I can't remember exactly what she said but basically I have an infection in the left side of my mouth, so the left side of my face is swollen. Eating is a nightmare, but not half as bad as when I (try) to brush my teeth. The dentist gave me antibiotics so hopefully they'll work. Please be gone by Wednesday. (The antibiotics were free, the dentist said they're included in my plan)

We're going shopping tomorrow to get hubby's suit and my outfit. I think he needs shoes too. I'm fine for shoes. I spoke to my mum today, she said I have black trousers at hers. However, I'm sure I gave them to her because they were too big for me.

It's been so long since I used my credit card that I had to really think of what my PIN is. Well, I think I've remembered it.

Thank you for all the nice comments on my previous entry. This entry is longer than I thought it would be. If you made it this far, sorry about all the dentist talk.

My husband's gran passed away last night. We won't know until Friday how she died, although they think it was a cardiac arrest. She was in her late seventies and in great health, 50+ years married.

The funeral will be next week I think. We'll have to get the day off from work,possibly two since we will have to go to England. Hubby will need a new suit, and I need a new trousers and a top. I have clothes that I could wear but they're old. We went to a funeral in January (friend's sister) and they were ok because I never had my jacket off so they couldn't see my faded top.

I told hubby I'd put his new suit on my credit card since my EF won't be enough.I think it may be enough to get myself a pair of black trousers and a top. I probably will have to add to it. I'm torn about using it though, especially since I'm putting hubby's on to my card. I mean, a new outfit is not an emergency.

I was playing around with next month's budget - extra to savings, extra to debt etc - when I realised that I don't have a category in my budget for my car fund and emergency fund. How am I supposed to add to them consistently if they're not in my budget? Silly me. Well of course I've added them to my budget now. I've budgeted £10 for each of them, although really it should be more than that.

I don't know if it's just me but I find it difficult sometimes trying to cover everything: adding to moving out, EF, car fund. I know it will be worth it in the long-term though when I have sufficient savings so that I don't end up using my credit card to cover emergencies/car repairs.

If only I had built up my emergency fund first. I might not have all of this credit card debt if I had.

One of my goals this month is to get my Moving Out fund to £500. I need to add £20.85 to do this. Well, I haven't managed to yet, I did however buy season 8 of Smallville (£13.50 with my discount, plus hubby is paying for half of it) Not a necessity, obviously.

I almost took my change to the bank today. I only have two bags though so I'd feel a bit silly going in with only two pounds worth. Hmm. I do also have the money that MIL gave me for buying her wine (£4) That would be £6, which isn't a lot, but it's something. I don't have a problem transferring small amounts online, it's just going into the bank I feel like I should have more to put in. Either way I'm going to try my best to reach £500 before the 29th.

It's been a quick week. I've spent most of it working. We had some nice weather but I missed it all.

I spoke to my friend, she's upset but ok. I think her little boy helps her to take her mind off it.

My new book arrived: Sister, by Rosamund Lipton, so I've started reading it.

We went out to eat last night, then we went to see the new Transformers movie.

Today I'm meeting my friend while hubby is at work. I've not seen her in ages.

I was thinking about my no spend month today, and it occurred to me that I don't budget for personal spending. I pay for Love Film every month but that's in the entertainment category, I buy food for work and to eat at home but there's nothing for me. I'm not too sure how this happened. My husband has treated himself a few times these past few months but I haven't. I'm not too sure if I would actually spend the money but it would be nice to have the option. Even if I didn't buy myself something, if we went out for dinner, or to the cinema... I haven't budgeted for it.

Today was a no-spender. I forgot that my phone bill was due out yesterday so I've updated my balance. My car insurance is due out next, then my breakdown cover. I'm still waiting on my claim money being credited to my account. It's been a while since I made a claim so I can't remember how long it takes, hopefully before the end of the month.


£140.35 previous balance
- 22.31 (phone)
= £118.04 remaining


Cash envelope balances:

petrol £50 beg/£29 remaining
packed lunch £10/£3.40
snacks £10/£2.24
= £35.36 spent/ £34.64 remaining

Not much to report. Spent £2.70 yesterday on snacks meaning that its now the envelope with the lowest remaining balance. For these past few weeks I've been keeping the envelopes in my bag. This morning I put them into a drawer in my bedside table - out of sight, out of mind.

I forgot that I had sponsored a friend from work. He climbed Ben Nevis to raise money for one of his friend's. Hubby has offered to give me the money.

For another week my money for zumba has remained untouched. I think we will go next week but we'll see.

I'm really surprised that I havent had to get petrol yet. It helps that hubby had a few days off so I didnt have to take him to work and pick him up. Also I've been leaving work later to try to avoid the rush hour traffic.


Cash envelope balances:

petrol £50 beg/£29 remaining
packed lunch £10/£3.40
snacks £10/£2.24
= £35.36 spent/ £34.64 remaining

Not a lot of spending to report, thankfully. My mum asked me to collect her prescription yesterday. I walked to the pharmacy. After I collected it, I went to Morrisons and bought furniture wipes for our room. I found a 24 pack for £1.01. I took it out of the "snacks" budget since it is for the room, at least that's my reasoning anyway.

This morning I transferred £50 to savings. I also sent away my claim form for the dentist.

I feel as though this is more of a spend-less month than a no-spend month. However, I've only spent money on bills and things which were budgeted for - with the exception of my windscreen, that is. I would have loved to put that £70 into savings rather than spend it, but never mind.

Hubby is going to the cinema with his mum tonight. I'm working all weekend so it will be an early night for me.


£190.35 previous balance
- £50.00 (savings)
= £140.35 remaining

Cash envelope balances:

petrol £50 beg/£29 remaining
packed lunch £10/£5.65
snacks £10/£4.94
= £30.41 spent/ £39.59 remaining

Total saved = £52.78

The weekend was nice while it lasted, but it's over now. Back to normal.

This morning before work I spent £1.35 on snacks for us. £1 of this was actually on a 10 pack of cappucino sachets. They're usually £2.55 so it was a good buy.

I haven't got any plans this week. Hubby is going to the cinema with his mum.

I may actually have a quiet week. I accidentally left my phone charger at my friend's house. I wrote on her FB page and let her know, who knows when she will check it though.

Speaking of friends, I found out yesterday that my other friend is pregnant again.

This entry hasn't really been finance-related, has it? I'll do a proper update later in the week.

Yes, for once I am home alone. In all fairness, it's not my home but it is nice to have some peace and quiet for a change. Hubby is at work for another few hours so I've got a couple more hours of this.

This weekend has been great. We went shopping yesterday (hubby paid) for food. Last night we had a roast dinner, today we're just using up the last of the food that we bought. I could get used to this.

I bought a few things for my packed lunch yesterday, and I got petrol. I got 15.45 litres, spent £21. I've got half a tank now.

Envelope cash balances:

petrol £50 beginning/£29 remaining
packed lunch £10 beg/ £5.65 remaining
snacks £10 beg/£10 remaining

I transferred £50 to MIL yesterday. DH gave me his £30 today. I took £10 for zumba (I'm sure I took money out last week for zumba but I spent it on bus fares) This week I will put that money into my bank, plus my road tax money.

Upcoming expenses:

road tax £90.75
phone £22.31
insurance £98.42

I almost forgot. I had to renew my breakdown cover yesterday. I'm paying it monthly now. There's a one-off payment of £16.xx coming out this week then £18.98 in two weeks. I really would rather keep the money but I can't be without breakdown cover.

I had to pay for my filling today. Yesterday I bought some cold relief tablets and lozenges. My mum asked me to buy her a few candles too.

£364.76 previous balance
- £2.40 (cold medicines)
- £4.50 (candles)
- £45.00 (dentist)
= £312.86 remaining

I'm expecting to have to buy some groceries for the weekend at my friend's. Hubby wants to get a takeaway, I'd rather we made our own meals. I know it wasn't in my budget for this month. I spoke to my friend, she said we can help ourselves to food. I'm not comfortable with that, I'd rather we got our own.

My mum gave me the money back for the candles.I'll use it to buy the birthday cards for my aunties.

Due to some unexpected expenses this month, I'll declare this month a success if I'm able to save an extra £50, ideally more would be better. Normally I only save £30 monthly, sometimes I add extra but it's not a lot. If I didnt need to replace my windscreen I'd aim higher. If I claimed the money back from the dentist that would be £45 but that just seems like cheating, what do you think?

I need a new windscreen. I'll be getting it replaced on Friday. Cost: £70 (Ironically I have the exact money here it's just for other things)

I've been walking to work and getting the bus home. Only one more day of this then I'm off work. Bus fares are £2. So I've spent £4 on bus fares.

I need to put money into a collection at work. One of my colleagues has just became a gran. I met her grandson today. Adorable.

I'm trying to think positive, despite the fact that I need a new windscreen during this No Spend Month. Some No Spend Month, but I know this is a necessity. On the plus side though, I haven't spent any of my petrol budget yet

I have a dentist appointment on Thursday. £45 I'm unsure whether to claim the money back so I can put it into savings, or wait till next month to claim it back. Is that cheating?

I almost forgot - we're dogsitting this weekend. My friend and her roommates are away for the weekend so me and husband are going to stay in her flat for a few days

£84.76 previous balance
- £20.00 (our xmas savings, DH gave me his £10 back)
+ £300 (DH replaced the money I transferred)
= £364.76 remaining

This sure doesn't feel like a No Spend Month.

I withdrew £70 today. This is money for petrol, packed lunches and snacks.

£154.76 previous balance
- £70.00 (cash withdrawal)
= £84.76 remaining

Cash Envelope balances:

petrol £50
packed lunch £10
snacks £10

In other news, my windscreen has a crack in it. It isn't obstructing my view. I phoned Autoglass but my insurance company doesn't deal with them. I'm going to go on my insurance company's website and see what can be done.

My spending and saving balances are the same as before:

Spending £660
Saving £2.78

Every month I pay £13 for my dental plan. I'd been going to the same dentist for years as an NHS patient when they changed the criteria. I was at university at the time, so it was more than five years ago. I can't remember the specific details but because I was over 18 I had the option of taking up the private plan, or finding another dentist. I agreed to pay £12 each month at that time. It's increased to £13 now. This plan means I am entitled to:

- 2 check-ups a year
- 2 visits to the hygienist
- one x-ray per year

My mum goes to the same dentist as me. She receives benefits so her treatment is free.

I joined a health cash plan at work a couple of years ago. I pay £8 every four weeks out of my pay, this is the basic level. I can use it to claim money back for optical and dental treatments. I haven't used it for dental yet since the last few years I haven't needed any work done. I mostly just use it for optical expenses, claiming money back when I buy my contact lenses or have a contact lense check-up. I need to book one soon, I'm a few months overdue.

I'm getting a filling next week. After the treatment I have 13 weeks to make a claim. I don't know whether to claim the money back during this No Spend Month or wait till next month.

In other news, we never went to Edinburgh yesterday. As soon as we got to the train station, an announcement went out that the train had been cancelled. We'll go next month instead.

I don't usually post twice in one day, but I've been thinking about what rules I will follow for this month. Here's what I've came up with:

1) record all spending from June's pay
2) record extra savings that I make this month*
3) all leftover money in bank will go towards Moving Out Fund
4) leftover money in envelopes will be divided between my emergency fund and car fund

*this probably won't apply until the end of the month when I will see how much I've got leftover. I won't include my normal savings (£25, £5 automatic)

Today is the first day of my No Spend Month. I'm pleased to report that I haven't spent anything. However it's easy not to spend anything when you haven't got the money. Two days till payday and I have £35.78 in the bank, £13 is due out, £20 towards hubby's debt so that will leave me with roughly £2 left.

I worked until 1pm today so I'm having lunch just now at home. Today gave me five hours extra whih will be in July's pay. Later, I'm going to my mum's for dinner. All in all, a no-spender.

I've been feeling ill these past few days. Yesterday when I came home from work at half 5 I went straight to bed. Hubby woke me up three hours later. Today I came straight home, put on my pyjamas and lay in bed. Normally I go to zumba today so I saved £3. It's going straight into my emergency fund.