I’ve been following my no spend year well this January, I don’t do a monthly review till near mid of the next month as pay day falls later than most. I do myself a favour in waiting and learning patience rather than self destruct and transfer from my savings, something I used to do all the time.

Financial surprises:

I had two major hits on the same day that thankfully got resolved. There’s nothing like being told you can’t park on your own driveway after you see your rear light has smashed. The council have made changes to houses with a dropped curb and I’m now paying £100 a year to park in the street. Then realising it’s been processed wrongly, to do another £100 pay out (which left me with almost nothing) and wait for a refund. I found a new library while at the council offices and the refund came within 5 days not 28 days, thankfully.

I got a place at a Kaur’s camp (an event where Sikh women meet up), it feels like a stretch as I need to travel up North though for two days of rejuvenation with other females £30 is still amazing.

I renewed my car insurance and it’s the same price – no new admin fee to pay.

Mindful about money moments:

I listened to Suze Orman on her podcast saying “Always respect your financial situation” and I put it into practice not giving extended family birthday money, twice, when I needed what I had in my account for petrol and basics. I said out loud ‘I’m not going to as I can’t afford it’ and you know, no one died. All was still well.

I started two new weekly groups local to me, one musical and one physical, they come in at £16 a month – for both. This is part to do with coming off social media and being more in my community which I write about in this post.

I took back items when needed and used up some old tea before buying new.

Examples of needs bought for me and baby (outside usual):

Shampoo and conditioner

Foot cream

Baby shoes, coat, socks sleep suits, vests

Examples of wants bought:

Gesso replacement

A wooden plank which was made into a shelf for my books

Business cards and holder

Vegan vitamins (not sure of the difference yet).

Money error: 

A baby yoga class I used to enjoy didn’t pan out as expected as now she is 10 months and crawling to everyone and everything in sight.

I bought a watch to stop using my phone for the time and I found it so helpful! Though after buying it off Vinted, then a battery, then it stopped working, it wasn’t worth it. I will replace as started a good habit of telling the time without a phone.

Financial awareness: 

Writing in this form has made me aware of how honest you need to get with where money is going and what it’s being spent on. It comes down to your relationship with money though also your relationship with others and money. Especially in a marriage, especially when the other person spends differently to you.

For instance I bought a baby coat and husband bought two more as it wasn’t well received. The coat bought on the high street was on sale and it is super warm, though the extra two not necessary.

There have been times I’ve said ‘Can you get this for me while your out?’ and I don’t feel it’s a serving habit, when I know the other person doesn’t have much to spend, even though they may seem like they do. Other times things they have purchased have been really useful though I would have saved for them, a replacement Nutri bullet, wireless headphones, Baklava. Are they gifts and needs when you don’t have the money to spend on them? How do married couples spend mindfully? Only time will tell.

Favourite memories from January:

Having no spend weekends – going to Gurdwaras (Sikh temples) and baby crawling everywhere and moving to the Kirtan (devotional music).

Going to martial arts class, sometimes with husband and music class alone.

Talking at dinner as a couple in quiet room.

Walking to other children centres for free baby activities.

The numbers

Budget: £300 and £300 food

Money spent: £450 and £267 food shopping

Yoga earnings: £16.50

Gifts/benefit given: £176

Put in short term savings: £139

Long term savings: £0

Pension put in: £16 min

How do you do your monthly money workings or review? Tell me in the comments below!