If you saw my May goals post earlier in the week, you’ll have seen that I managed to achieve my financial goals in April. I decided to set myself a fairly low budget in most categories, because I’ve got lots of out-of-town visits during May and then in June also. Here’s a look at my April 2026 spending diaries, and we’ll see whether I stayed under budget or not!
CLOTHING
Budget = £0.00, actual = £12.00
I was aiming for a no-spend month on clothing, but all I bought were four pairs of socks (and got £2 cashback on my M&S Sparks card). I’m taking this as a win, because they were replacements after I threw a few pairs away!
COFFEE SHOPS
Budget = £100.00, actual = £97.50
This is more than I’d like, but I buy a hot chocolate on most work days and always try to use a gift card. However, now that I’m going from two to three days a week, I might start making my own at home again before setting off. That way, I can also get the later train to work instead of hanging around for 20 minutes in Beverley. However, I still have about £20 in gift cards left to carry over into May.
EATING OUT
Budget = £50.00, actual = £43.77
I’m surprised that this is so low, as I ate out three times in the month. However, I had a bunch of Zizzi points to use up, and it was half price on their offers. That meant that I had enough for two free pizzas, which I used on two trips to Bradford. I also went to my favourite Chinese restaurant in York for lunch one day. Of all my favourite solo activities, eating out is one of the best!
LOCAL TRANSPORT
Budget = £100.00, actual = £103.00
This figure is now more of a bill than a random spend, as I include all local buses and work trains in this figure. My train can be anything from £5 to £10 per shift, so this total is going to increase now, too. Sometimes, I’ll get the bus home to save money, but I prefer the train so that I can read!
GROCERIES/SNACKS
Budget = £20.00, actual = £13.90
These are the snacks I buy when I’m at work or on my travels, so it’s always a low figure. I bought a few discounted Easter snacks from work, as well as water and snacks for the theatre. I’m happy that I was under budget here, because I can go overboard.
BOOKS
Budget = £0.00, actual = £10.00
This category is difficult for me, because I love to read. However, I re-signed up to Kindle Unlimited to re-read all of Elle Kennedy’s books, but forgot about two new releases at The Works. I’m okay with being over budget here, as it’s not something that happens often!
BEAUTY APPOINTMENTS
Budget = £100.00, actual = £99.00
This covers two nail appointments and one for dermaplaning. I budget for my nails every three weeks and dermaplaning every six weeks, so I always know my budget will be accurate for this category!
HEALTH + BEAUTY
Budget = £35.00, actual = £33.36
Three Boots trips and one to Superdrug for toiletries that I probably didn’t need desperately! One was for some hand cream during a work shift, as we’re next door to Boots. I’d love for this category to be at nil for the next few months, but there are a couple of bits that I still need in May.
STATIONERY
Budget = £0.00, actual = £3.00
Flying Tiger is still my vice, and I bought a notebook that I probably didn’t need in York last month. It’s not a lot, so I can deal with this.
THEATRE
Budget = £40.00, actual = £22.85
In one trip, I bought a programme, a badge, a drink, and an ice cream (£4.50 is a rip-off)! However, it’s rare that I buy anything other than a programme, so it’s not the worst category to spend in.
AMAZON
Budget = £0.00, actual = £5.15
I’d totally forgotten about my Subscribe and Save payment for hayfever tablets that was coming out in early April! I’m sure I can cope without that £5.15 in my budget, though.
TOTAL BUDGET = £445.00, TOTAL SPENT = £443.53
£1.47 under budget
I’m super proud of managing to stay just on my budget for my April 2026 spending diaries. I felt like I’d overspent in a couple of categories, but it wasn’t significant enough to make a massive difference overall. My May budget will be much bigger, as I’m heading for an overnight stay in Sheffield and a day out in Manchester.
If you enjoyed a look into my April 2026 spending diaries, you can find my other money content here. I’m still debating whether to share these quarterly, as I did in Q1, or monthly. Let me know if you prefer either one! Don’t forget to follow me on Twitter, Instagram and TikTok too.
