It's been a while since I've posted - been super busy these last few months. We moved in July, finally got a renter into our townhouse last week, I am working OT, but not as much as before, been sick off & on and generally been living a lot.

We have had a LOT of social obligations. Never dull for me!

-My daughter turned One this month. We had a little party that my mom paid to be in a restaurant (she HAD to do my nieces and didn't want to be seen as favoring my sister's kids - that was her choice).
-Last weekend, I was at a bachelorette party.
-This weekend, my husband is going to the bachelor party.
-In September, we are attending a housewarming for friends (child friendly event)
-In September, we are attending a friend's house party (kid friendly)
-In October, we have 3 weddings - 2 out of state

We also are waiting for the rental income to come in. We have a renter, but are also using a property management company. Because of the renter starting mid-month and the PM fees, we won't see a full month's rental income coming to us until the middle of October, which will go to the 11/1 mortgage payment.

I have lots of cashflowing/savings goals -
-cashflowing budget deficit
-cashflowing wedding events/gifts/travel
-save 1 month Rental Mortage buffer
-save 1 month New Mortgage buffer
-Save 5k Rental Efund
-Cashflow tickets to an event in Oct
-cashflow new furniture

Fun stuff, people! I will say, that we are not revolving any credit card debt as we have been spending a lot. I am so thankful for overtime!

I also want to note that usually I buy Christmas gifts all year long - but not this year as I didn't want to move all the stockpile of gifts! So I need to get busy on that

Tracking spending was a lot easier when I was one person. Now, we are a family and its harder. So I am tracking all personal spending for myself and all household spending. What my husband does with his personal spending won't be included. MUCH easier this way. (To be clear, we both contribute equally to the household, its just his individual checking is used for day to day expenses that I might not see).

Yesterday, I spent $1.50 on a soda at work (I know, bad!) and $40 on baby clothes.

I have been given so many hand me downs and utilized used clothing groups to supplement each new size. However, as summer gears up, my hand me down seasons are not quite matching up to my daughter's growing/size. So I am having to purchase a few things like sleepers/summer pjs and pants to supplement all the other clothing we have.

I haven't really bought new for her except once or twice, but Carters was having a great deal and I was able to buy 2 pairs of pants, 2 footie pj sets, and 2 3-piece summer pj sets for $40.00. I will 40 rewards points (75 = $10 gift card), used Ebates ($1.00 cash back) and a 3% rewards credit card.

Ugh at the price, but I am happy with the purchases as we should be all set for summer now!

The only thing we may need is some shoes towards the end of summer, but no need to worry about that yet.

I have been blessed with plenty of gifts and hand-me-down baby items. However, we are starting to get to the piont of having to fund our own clothing purchases for the little one. She'll be 8 months old in a week. Crazy, right?

My area has a very big FB Sales site geared towards family & kids.

I have had some successes selling and buying. Some things that haven't sold... it just depends.

I have even sold some things for my sister (after we used them for our little one) and given her back the money (she needs it more). Below, I do not count sales for my sister.

Overall, we really have lucked out. For example, I sold a large lot of newborn clothes to a lady who was donating them to a coworker in need. Both of us won on that deal!

Another example - I bought the infant car seat and 2 bases from a good friend whose daughter only used it for 3 months. We knew for sure it was not in any accidents, etc. We paid $100 for 3 month old supplies

My daughter used it for 6 months and then moved into a convertable car seat. I turned around and sold it on the FB sales site this week for $50. Can't beat that!

2016 Tally:

-Sold: lot of newborn clothes $50
-Sold: 3 1/2 shirts for newborns $6
-Sold: newborn shirts $10
-Sold: extra boppy cover $5
-Sold: 6 3 month onesies $8
-Sold: 9 3-6 mo onesies $10
-Sold: minnie mouse outfit $8
-Sold: car seat & 2 bases $50
-Purchased: 5 12 month summer outfits $12
-Purchased: 5 12 month dressy outfits $12

Net Profit: $123

The baby is sick and we ended up taking her to urgent care today as her pediatrician is closed on the weekends. This is the start of medical expenses for 2016.

Upside is that she doesn't have anything more than a bad cold/bug and she is already feeling a bit better!

She is currently obsessed with the monkey faces on her footie pjs!


The good thing about today is that I purchased an activity block from a lady off a facebook sales site. Its in excellent condition and retails for $60 new. I bought it for $10. So happy about that!

Baby is coming in about 2 months! My family is having a shower for me (incredibly nice!) and I have received LOTS of freebies from both my sister and my college friend.

My mom, in Grandma-mode, is also buying some outfits and fun stuff that I will be getting later on. This includes a super-cute coming home outfit and a first pictures outfit (hospital provides them for free).

My husband and I made 3 big purchases - the crib (bought at 20% discount and will get 10% back from registry rewards), travel system (car seat & stroller purchased at a deep discount & 2nd hand from a friend) and the glider/ottoman (bought at 20% discount and will get 10% back from registry rewards). I also purchased a closet organization system for $6.29 (after $20 registry gift card I won).

The crib is convertible and will move into a toddler bed and then into a full-size bed (will need to purchase a conversion kit & full size mattress later on). The Glider/Ottoman looks more like a living room upholstered chair and will easily be able to be used in a family room when we outgrow our need for it.
With these big items, I have been looking at longevity in the purchases and alternate uses. Nothing will go to waste!

We still have items that we will NEED for the little one and some that we want for ease/comfort. These are on our registry and we will purchase before the due date anything else that we need but are not gifted. (Side note- we don’t ask for or expect gifts, but family tradition means we know what to anticipate from our families).

Items on the 'Need/Really Want' List:
-Organizing bins (can be used in an infant, kid or adult room)
-Crib and Toddler bed mattress
-blankets
-changing pad
-changing pad covers
-waterproof changing pad cover
-mattress pad cover (waterproof)
-crib sheets
-convertible car seat
-diaper bag
-breastmilk storage
-high chair
-bottles
-boppy
-bath toys
-healthcare & grooming kit
-towels
-bath tub
-pack n play sheets
-swing
-pack n play
-mobile
-monitor system

I have a catalog of the items we currently have been gifted and it still needs to be updated some. So far, we have listed:
Newborn-3 months
onesies 15
newborn bibs 5
sleepers 8
jumper outfits 3
dress 1
jean jumper outfit 1
skirt 1
sweater 2
fleece jacket 1
hoodie jacket 2
pink/white striped top/hart pants outfit 1
jeans 1

3 months
2 piece summer outfit 1

6 Months
onesies 9
My First Christmas onesie 1
leggings 5
Spring outfit - onesie, sweater & headband 1
Summer sleeveless jumper outfit 1
footie pjs 1
shirts 4
jeans 6
sweatshirts 2
sweaters 2
fleece hoodie 1
shorts 9

9 Months
animal themed jumpers 2
leggings 5
onesies 7
sports track suit 1
nice spring outfit 1
light jacket 1
skirt 1
shirt 1
hoodie 1
sweater 1

12 Months 2
onesies 11
sleeveless tops 9
tops 5
shorts 2
jeans 7
sweat pants 1
leggings 3
hoodie sweater 1
spring formal dress 1
jean shorts 2
watermelon nice outfit 3
winter vest 1
Halloween Shirt 1
bathing suit 1
jumper 1
sweater 2
dress 2
footie pjs 1
eagles t shirt 1

18 Months
onesie 9
flannel pj 3
Eagles onesie 1
Halloween Shirt 1
Bathing Suit 1
Santa Shirt 1
hoodie jacket 1
long shirt/dresses 6
winter shirts 3
longsleeve tees 2
Sweater 1
Velvet Dress 1
pairs of holiday pjs 3
Dresses 4
Hoodie vest 2
hoodies 2
jeans 2
longsleeve tshirt & jeans outfit 1
sweater 1
leggings 2
coats 2
2 piece puma 1

24 months
leggings 1

MISC Items
Bibs 9
Washcloths 8
Changing pads 2
Bath Towels 6
Receiving Blankets 7
Shoes 10
Hair Bows 4
Sun Hat 2
boots 1
pairs of socks 8

Toys/Dolls
Stuffed Owl 1
Laugh & Learn Dog toy 1
baby toys 4
book 2
toy purse 1
stroller hanger toys 2
mini monkey plush 1
woobie 1
mittens 1
Baby mirror 1
fridge-a-go carrier 1
travel play mat 1
playschool school bus 1
jungle crib blanket 1
small bouncer 1
wearable carrier 1
water toy 1
walker 1