Pregnant & Worried about debt!!!!

catherine_h_2

Not much advice to give I'm afraid but try not to stress out too much, let your OH do the panicking for you

Just a thought, if you do decide to use reusable nappies most councils will give a certain amount of money for it, mine gives £25 if you can show receipts to say you've spent £50 on the reusables. They even accept ebay generated invoices so you don't have to pay full price from shops if you don't want to. Have a look at http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/forumdisplay.html?f=24
I'm sure there's loads of advice there, also get as many freebies as you can

lornz23

Also don't forget when you are 25 Weeks you can apply for the Health in Pregs Mat grant that everyone now gets so that's an £190 that will help towards things!(although payouts wont start till April as long as your due after 4th April you are entitled)

mum2one

The other quick thought, is sign up for every baby company, get loads of free samples, Pampers, Huggies, Mothercare, Toys r us, I'm sure theres a lot more, once you get the voucher for your 1st Bounty pack theres lots of offers etc in there xx

LilacPixie

Congratulations.

Have you checked out what you company does for maternity pay?? Some are just 90%for 6weeks then sMP for 33 weeks which is the basic entitlement but some companies are more generous. SMP is £118 ish at the moment but I think it increases a few ££ in April.

HAve a look at your debt as is, do you have a loan that may allow a short payment holiday?? My bank would allow me 6 months but personally I opted not to take that route as they still charge interest for that 6 months. Could you be looking at lots of ways to earn extra at the moment to then pay down debt before baby arrives.

Babies actually need very little so don't be persuaded to buy a ton of non essential things and concentrate on paying off debt.

BADPENNY_2

Hi,
the most important thing is that you are happy about your prgnancy! I am in a simaler position myself (but i am not pregnant yet but hoping to be soon) and i also have simaler levels of debt and income as yourself. the thing is there will proberly never be an ideal time to get pregant and i have made the mistake of putting off having children because i am scared of how we will cope finacially. i would advise that you try and clear as much as you can in the next couple of months and look at what you may be entitled to once the baby arrives there is a website entitledto.com or somthing that tells you what benifits you are able to get. dont worry about having every thing brand new either and i'm sure freinds and family will help out. most importantly don't stress yourself out about it as thats not good for you or the baby. its only money at the end of the day, if you havnt got it they cant take it. the baby is the most important thing at the moment. take care and keep us posted.

Merlinexcalibur

i think you can ask some help from your family member, im sure they will help you with this situation. by they way you're pregnant so it's a good news for your fami

ly.

Er, run that by me one more time? Texas is a long way from the UK, as well and things don't work the same here as there. Not a criticism just an 'observation'.

Toni_Broke

Hi

Congratulations first and formost!

Its good that you want to tackle your debts now, it was having babies that got us into a worse mess! I wish i'd had the sense not to get carried away. Its so tempting to buy the whole of Mothercare but try to remember that babies really need very little at first. People are so generous as well and often have things to give that would be perfectly fine for the short time you use them. We were really lucky that we got loads of lovely pressies too.

Your right to get organinsed but please dont let this spoil a most wonderful time.

Good luck

Tonixx

ragstoricheswannabe

Hi, just read your diary and wanted to say please dont stress, it can be done!!! I too was on a very similar wage to you and am coming to the end of my mat leave. I have managed to stay afloat and not miss a payment on my debts. Careful budgeting and changing to the cheapest products like gas, elec, house insurance etc....... You dont say if the £360 repayments is the min amount or just what you like to pay off, if this is the minimum then i would look at moving to something with a less interest rate.

You have plenty of time ahead to get prepared for when you go onto reduced pay, make the most of your full wage whilst you have it.

Also dont buy everything the magazines tell you that you need, you dont!!!!! try and set up a present list of things you would like/need that you can give to friends and family if they want to buy pressies, saves getting loads of newborn clothes that wont much use and saves you a fortune.

Good luck with it all and remenber, less stress makes for a happier baby (so they say!!)

love rags
xxxxxxxx

mum2one

hi again

Dont know if this info will be any good, but its from HM Revenue & customs advert (in Take a Break)

Money to help with all the ways you care for your child -
0845 302 1444 re Child Benefit

Child Trust Fund - 0845 302 1470

Child Tax Credit - 0845 300 3900

the website aimed at new mums, but you could have a look incase any info useful

direct.gov.uk/paymentsforparents

needtopaymydebts

hi
i just wanted to add the same as others. I know it doesn't seem like it will get any better but I suppose this is how things are and you seem really focussed on paying off your existing debts. My son is now 7 months old, and yes, it has been expensive but we've coped. We didnt actually need to buy him much in the way of clothing until he was about 5 months old as friends bought him so much. the supermarkets and places like primark are fantastic for the basics like vests etc. We investing in new buggies etc as we know that we want more children so they will be well used but you can pick up bargains on ebay and freecycle. You won't believe how many people buy travel systems, pushchairs etc only to find that they don't fit in their boots and then have to sell them on.I would advise using your pregnancy to seek out some bargains! I got a nearly new moses basket and stand for £20 so only had to buy a new mattress.

you will also qualify for child tax credits and child benefit. I'm not sure how long you've been with your employer or what their maternity benefit is like but you will be able to use you annual leave either at the beginning or the end of your maternity leave to extend it a little if you want to.

Please don't worry yourself about money during your pregnancy though, despite being ill with morning sickness through the whole thing, it is a time that i treasured so much with my little boy. You are taking all the right steps so as long as you carry on and save for the things that you will need you will be fine

Good Luck