Critique my budget

[LottieMary]

Returning to work from maternity leave soon and trying to get finances in order - figures are for when I go back based on current bills, which seem to have gone up astronomically recently. I assume they’ll all increase in April / on renewal again as well 😭
We’re reviewing all areas, aiming to increase capacity for some longer term savings.

Any advice on where to start here?

Income 4600 pm

I’m working in stages, starting with household bills and car expenses

My life insurance is £90 a month (old, with a huge mortgage) No illnesses or conditions

Life insurance seems a little high but if it covers both it isn’t too bad. I wouldn’t say anything else is too high apart from gas and electric - I’d assume you have a lot of credit at that rate.

i would relook at pet insurance and home insurance. Tbh life insurance depends on individual circumstances.. mine alone is £80 a month (took a lot to find) so I don't think £51 is bad. Pop a little away for car maintenance.

Lots of people are commenting about house, life and car insurance. We don't have enough facts to do so as they are variable vis a vis post code, value of the contents/jewellery, etc, make of car/speeding points, underlying health conditions.

I think a few quid could be saved here and there but nothing on that budget looks outlandish to me. I can clear up the pet insurance/vet payments. The pet insurance is for illnesses/accidents and the vet plan is for vaccinations, an annual check-up, and flea and worming treatments. I pay 50p less for each if my girls .

The council tax doesn't look that high to me either but unless you move or think you've been unfairly rated there's nothing you can do about it so doesn't feature in cutting down on expenses

Our internet is £30 a month for fibre optic and we have no issues for 2 people wfh and 3 DC (teens and preteens) - you can get that down.

I’ve just renewed our house and contents and ours is a similar figure (we were quoted £489 increase alone by LV who we were with before!!!!!!) - I got the cheapest cover I was happy with the policy (cheaper ones wouldn’t pay out things like enough for us to rent somewhere locally if our house needed to be rebuilt etc).

Dentistry? I have poor teeth and even with insurance that covers part of it, my dental care works out at roughly £100 top-up per month (I frequently develop abscesses).

Essential skin care? I have psoriasis. The products that work for me add to my monthly outgoings.

Do you have any exercise apps? Or the need to buy sports kit?

Our gas and electric is only £185 a month and we have 5 adults in one house. Lots of showers/cooking etc but minimal heating on. Quick showers. No lights on unnecessarily.