Could you kick my butt over sorting out finances please?

[sheepmaysafelygraze]

I really need to stop sticking my head in the sand over this and grow up. Dh and I are both in our mid 30s. Due to faffing around and traveling/ studying in my 20s I have no pension set up. DH pays into NHS pension (for about 3 years now).I also need to start paying into it (have previously opted out as thought my days were numbered.Not so.)
Current joint income (one working part time) is about £2300.No debts, no mortgage. About £10000 in savings between us mostly in ISA.
We also have DC now. Things we need to do:
Join Pension. I guess an employer scheme is better than a private pension?
Make a will.
Get life insurance? Do people do that if they have children?Anyone you would recommend?
Sort out a proper budget and actually stick to it

Longer term: fantasise about getting a mortgage fat chance of that really.
Anything else I should be doing to prevent utter misery in years to come?

Those first three are about the basics, really. A pension scheme into which an employer contributes and you get tax-relief on private contributions is definitely better than one you finance by yourself. When thinking about life insurance you're really covering the financial implications of one of you not being around any more.... that's the calculation to make. And your will should cover what happens if you both go at the same time, things like guardians for your children, putting your money in trust for them until they come of age etc.

If your savings are in tax-free deposits, that's good. No debt is excellent. Property is still a good bet for the future and the market is slow and low at the moment so there are some good value properties to be had if you have the deposit.

Budgeting... whole books to be written there. :) I find it helps to start by understanding every penny of the reality. Keep a spreadsheet or some personal finance software up to date for a few months until you get a really good idea of how much you're actually spending and where it goes. Then work your way through the main regular expenses methodically and see if you can reduce them... comparison sites excellent for things like utilities, insurance, even where to get the best rates on your savings.

Once you're happy you've got the cheapest deal possible on the regular outgoings, tackle the irregular ones. Cashpoint withdrawals, CC transactions, 'treats'... add up fast.

Final idea.... 'Pay Yourself First'. Set up a DD for a fixed amount and put that in a savings account each month the day after you get paid. Then budget around what's left. The psychology is that if it's not there you won't spend it. Works.

HTH

Thank you.
Have made a start on the pension and have sat down with DH to work out a budget/ cut our irregular outgoings.Not looking to bad so far.