April 2017: A Month In Review

To be quite honest, April hasn’t been the best month. I’m not entirely sure why, either. We have had a lovely family break in Scotland, and it was the Easter holidays so I have had some time off work. The weather has got better. Frugal Baby continues to be a joy. There should be no reason why April hasn’t been good! But, it hasn’t. And I can’t quite put my finger on why.

We have also decorated our bedroom this month; we have lived in our house over four years now. Our bedroom has needed to be decorated for all of that time! I’m so glad it’s finally done. We have ordered a new wardrobe which should be delivered next week. It feels much more “ours”, so to speak.

My Financial aims for April were:

– Have 17 No Spend Days (NSDs)

– Overpay our mortgage by £50

– Put £1000 into savings

I need to stop putting NSDs as a target. They seem more and more elusive as time goes by. And, I feel like I repeat myself every month! I have failed again on this one. In April, I have had 10 NSDs. Only just met the double figures! My lowest month ever, on record. Going on holiday meant little spends each day, plus other little spends seem to be creeping in. I am going to change this for May [see tomorrow’s post for that].

As I continue to plod along with mortgage overpayments, I have overpaid £43.63 to the mortgage, so nearly in line with what I’m aiming for.

Finally, I knew my good streak would have to come to an end! What with going away and decorating/ordering new furniture, it was inevitable that this would be a silly ask this month. And, it shows. I have managed to put £532.14 into savings this month. I suppose I should be pleased that it’s this much.

My Personal Aims For April were:

– do some baking

– book in a massage

– finish reading my current book

I made my lovely sister-in-law a cake [see my instagram for a picture of that!] for her birthday this month, so I definitely baked. It was a Victoria sponge covered in mini eggs – was delicious. I haven’t booked in the massage that Frugal Baby got me as a present for Mother’s Day. Just not got round to ringing! I definitely need to set myself a reminder to do that. I also haven’t finished my book yet, nowhere near.

The top 3 posts on The Frugal Cottage during April were:

How has April been for you? What has been the best thing that’s happened to you this month?

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