This edition of the Weekend Edition means I have done this type of post on a Sunday for a whole year! I really enjoy reflecting back on the week just gone and appreciating what has happened during the week.
This week has been the beginning of my maternity leave, so I haven’t really done that much. I have been taking it easy and getting things sorted around the house. I have done some batch cooking for the freezer; I’ve made three lots of chilli con carne and three lots of spaghetti bol sauce that are now in the freezer, labelled and ready just for heating through. I’m going to make a couple of lasagnes tomorrow and perhaps some soups and a couple of stews, then I think that’ll be enough. The only thing I need to do now is to iron the last of the baby clothes that have been washed, pack them away and then wait for bump to make an appearance.
Money-wise, July has continued relatively well, though I have had a couple of spend days this week which were unplanned. I’m now up to 15 No Spend Days so slightly behind target now. As I mentioned last week, if I’m not careful, I won’t meet my target of 20 NSDs for July! Today will be a NSD as we have nothing planned for today, just a nice relaxing Sunday for me and Mr FC. I suppose we should make the most of the peace and quiet!
5 things I’ve enjoyed/been grateful for this week:
1) Not setting my alarm for 6:45am every morning – no early morning wake up call for me!
2) We’ve been given even more stuff for the baby, like a swing and bouncy seat. People are so generous.
3) Watching one of my favourite tv shows whilst relaxing on the sofa – this maternity leave lark is good so far!
4) Watching films on an evening with Mr FC; making the most of our time together.
5) We went out for a family meal last night to a curry house – great food and even better company; nothing is better.
3 blog posts I’ve enjoyed this week:
1) Shouldn’t The Joneses Be Keeping Up With Us? by Dividend Mantra. I love the point that rather than feeling the pressure to have the latest XYZ, shouldn’t those people want to be keeping up with sorting out their finances and their own freedom? An excellent post.
2) 5 Excuses That Stop People From Living A Healthy Lifestyle by FITnancials. As obesity continues to rise, so do the excuses to not eat a healthy diet/lifestyle. An interesting posts with good alternatives!
3) The debt free dilemma by Cottage Retreatist. Now that Natalya is debt free, where should she go from here?
And, in case you’ve missed them, these are the topics I’ve posted about this week:
– 5 Simple Living Blogs You Should Be Reading
What have you enjoyed reading this week? Any plans for the week ahead? I’d love to hear about it!
Dividend Mantra says
Nicola,
Thanks for including me!
Great job over there on the NSDs. Enjoy your maternity leave. A lot to look forward to. 🙂
Cheers!
Nicola says
Definitely lots to look forward to 🙂
Natalya @ Cottage Retreatist says
Hi Nicola!
Can’t believe you have started maternity leave and how much you are getting done! Be sure to give yourself some ‘me’ time as well before baby frugal cottage comes along! ?
Thank you so much for featuring my blog post on this week’s round up as well!!
Big hugs
Natalya x
Nicola says
You’re welcome! I’ve not been quite so busy today; feeling tired so taking it easy 🙂
Dividend Diplomats says
Congrats on the maternity leave and the new member to the family! Glad to hear that you are making the most of your time off. Nothing beats not setting an alarm clock (for me on the weekend) and sleeping as much as possible.
Thanks for the great articles this weekend. This is my first time here, so I’ll have to make sure I stop going forward.
Congrats again!
Bert, One of the Dividend Diplomats
Nicola says
Thanks for stopping by 🙂 I love not having to set an alarm, it’s the best feeling!
Tawcan says
Congrats on the new addition to the family. I know how it feels to have to wake up super early for work… been needing to wake up at 5:25 AM every day for the last 3 weeks because of work… 🙁
Nicola says
Ouch, that’s early! I’m not a morning person either so really struggle with early starts. Guess I should get used to that with a baby on the horizon… 🙂
Alexis @ Fitnancials says
It sounds like you are getting an awful a lot done while on maternity leave already!
Nicola says
I’m trying to 🙂