Saving saviours 2018

[GimbleInTheWabe]

So with an 11 week DSs falling asleep on me and his piles of stuff accumulating in mine and DPs one bed flat I know that we will have to move this year. However, I am really not good at saving money. I only have my student loan and no other debt/credit cards but I really really want to properly save this year. I've been an idiot not to save before as I have quite a well paid job (I'm self employed) and very low outgoings but I spend money on stupid things and whenever I see a "deal" which in reality is probably just clever marketing.

When I was pregnant with DS the support group I had on here was so amazing so I thought maybe if other people also want to save more in 2018 we can encourage and support each other here.

Is there anyone else out there who wants to join me?

I emailed him yesterday, just waiting for a response.But I see him on tuesday.

How's everyone's Monday been? DP and I did our food shop this morning which was £40 for 3 days (breakfast, lunch and dinners) but that my only spend so far. I'm definitely doing so much better on frivolous spending and haven't done any so far which is great. I bought DS a new mattress the other day though as the one which comes standard on his cot is awful, that was £55 but hopefully a worthwhile investment.

Does anyone else follow lots of stores on Instagram? I've bought bits and pieces from them before as I feel like I'm supporting someone I know, as I see them everyday on my feed, but I know it's pretty bollocksy and I should just save my money instead. Thinking of unfollowing the lot as they can be a bit of kryptonite for me.

You're doing a good job Gimble! The mattress is money well spent if he can sleep better.

I spent £28.30 yesterday at Lush. I got my mother a massage bar for her birthday and a small valentines gift box and soap for my sisters.

My instagram feed is full of cute baby item and clothing stores like welovefrugi, sleepyhead,eddieandbee, but I haven't bought anything yet but can understand the temptation!

Not doing so well this morning. I spent £10.50 on teapigs for my younger sister who is really has a thing about tea and is a bit stressed at the moment. I ordered the Jasmine and white tea. I was tempted by the free delivery "just for today" email. If anyone wants 20% off your order you can use the referal link below.

t.mention-me.email/lnk/AEMAScciTskAAU1sfqsAAGAMI8gAAO87QCkAAAAAAAEZ0gBacZdiYTqz5wTdQOuWACh51CPvUQABD9s/2/dp_6Y5d0nI6aIZp_AA6NsA/aHR0cHM6Ly90ZWFwaWdzLm1lbnRpb24tbWUuY29tL20vb2wveWIzaXQtc2FyYS1yYWZpcQ

I next see my therapist in around two weeks, so a small saving there. But I spent £24 on 3 small Yankee candles for my mother's birthday on sunday with a 10% off code when you first join their mailing list.

Glad you sorted it with your therapist @Orangecake123, and savvy shopping with the discount.

Had an annoying overspend today: I was getting DS passport photos taken in one of those booths but as he's only 3 months old
It was obviously a bit tricky (especially since you can't Have your hands showing in the photo ). Anyway it was £6 for the photo but you only get 3 attempts and none of them were right! So then I went and got them done at the chemist for £5 and it was so much better, wish I'd just done that first! So £11 on that and £2.50 sending off the passport stuff in an envelope. And then I bought food for today and tomorrow at sainos for £25.
We had our monthly takeaway last night too at £30. We used to get at least one a week, if not more , so our mo they rule will save a lot of money hopefully. And it tasted so much better knowing we'd waited!

How's everyone else doing?

I tried! I placed the order on Wenesday and later received another email saying one of the candles I had already ordered was February's scent of the month! So Vanilla cupcake is now 25% off for anyone interested, but too late for me.

I have an app on my iphone - which I would recommend. I've added all my receipts to it now and as it's split by categories so I can see that I spent £67.16 on food for a month so around £16 a week. I think I can get that lower to be honest, but this morning I've already spent £12.20 on basic items but forgot cereal! It was just milk, a slice of honey cake, 2 pastry things, oranges, £2.20 on hot chocolate and £2.46 compost for my plant.

Well done of getting the passport done and dusted as I've heard prices are going up in march and cutting back on the monthly take away will slowly add up.

Are you a member of Topcashback? I withdrew a payment of £19.88 for normal spending, but my total savings are actually £400 less from when I first started which I'm a bit disappointed, but I needed to pay my rent and my aunt usually makes the payments to my my mother first so I don't get it right away.