How did you cope & for how long?

jackomdj

Personally I did not have an issue with just receiving SMP, we had savings, got child benefit & tax credits (worth looking into as you can get it up to a high level of income), at the time OH was doing contract work where his income was very high, but he was working in a risky place - a decision we made before I fell pregnant.

I disacree with the poster that said you decide to get pregnant - for me it was my first week on the atkins diet & the pill was "washed" out of me (would not change it for the world now!)

What does anoy me BIG TIME though is the fact that government employees get more than SMP - if the government think people should receive a certain amount then they should follow that through for their employees!

Good luck, try to lower your outgoings now to save some against when you are on a lower income.

Nicky

Casper81

meigle21 wrote: »

We're in the same boat, affording a child isn't the problem, it's having 9 months off work at £117.18 a week thats the problem.

I don't mind cutting back, I don't mind saving, but there is only so much you can do. We have a modest sized house, but need the best part of two wages to pay all the household bills, and we do not have anything extravagant.

I wrote to my local councilor about SMP. I suggested a fairer system by making the payment means tested, as one payment doesn't suit everyone. I have just received the reply, unbelievably, completely ignoring my point! So, not one to give up, I'm drafting another one. Maybe if we all get onto their case, they will reconsider it?

Wow, thanks for that! let me know if you get a reply will ya? I might do that too but I'm not great with words so may need to ask for your help re: content etc.

Good for you though, Its refreshing to see pro-active people, and thanks for your advice (all of you) xx

maggie21

Casper81 wrote: »

Wow, thanks for that! let me know if you get a reply will ya? I might do that too but I'm not great with words so may need to ask for your help re: content etc.

Good for you though, Its refreshing to see pro-active people, and thanks for your advice (all of you) xx

Thanks,

I'm happy to make a general draft, if everyone just wants to add their name & address and send to their local councilor or even Gordon Brown!!

Casper81

meigle21 wrote: »

Thanks,

I'm happy to make a general draft, if everyone just wants to add their name & address and send to their local councilor or even Gordon Brown!!

Yeh, that sounds great. Thanks again x

Spendless

I got 14 weeks maternity pay for eldest. There were no tax credits, married man's allowance was abolished when he was a few weeks old. The only thing available was child benefit which went upto £15 a week.

We paid off a loan the month before ds arrived. We'd had 2 mortgages -at 1 time supported by 1 wage and moved into my plce cos it was in negative equity and we couldn't afford to do otherwise- even though place was too small for us and a new-born.

I couldn't return to work as childcare would have taken all my wages(didn't get any help, childcare vouchers hadn't started either) and my employer only employed f-time workers. The right to request p-time work hadn't come in.

This was only 9 years ago. We managed due to a combination of not getting used to 2 wages and 'having to'. My parents bought us a pram, everything else was passed on to us.

You get thru it-somehow-you just do. Doing a SOA is a good idea. Not sure if you said if you rent or own your home. If you have a mortgage would your provider allow reduced payments for a while?

maggie21

Ooops forgot to add, my main gripe, other than living on a fraction of my wage.

So much for equal rights, woman are not put to any disadvantage taking time off to have children. Hang on, when I am only earning £117.18 a week, instead of an annual salary of £20k my 6% + employers 6% pension contibutions are going to drop. I can get all the benefits under the sun, but that won't top up my retirement fund and the government certainly won't pay for me when I finally get to retire

Casper81

Spendless wrote: »

You get thru it-somehow-you just do. Doing a SOA is a good idea. Not sure if you said if you rent or own your home. If you have a mortgage would your provider allow reduced payments for a while?

Thanks.

We rent our home but are now looking to downsize following this revelation. I will definately do the SOA. Thanks for the tip x

lolababy

Try to pay off as many things as you can before the baby. If you can ask your mortgage company for a few months grace whilst your on mat leave. I think they call it a holiday. Look at reducing your insurance, gas ,electric ie shop around.
Try buying essentials in now ie toilet rolls,shampoos try the bargain shops. Get a chest freezer and fill it . Join pampers or huggies on line and you will be sent coupons off nappies. Use ebay people sell baby clothes that have been hardly worn or are brand new. Dont say no to second hand baby equipment. A baby doesnt know the difference.Ask people to buy vouches so that you can buy things you need.Wind down your social life people wont mind if they know your saving for the baby.
a baby is only expensive if you make it.

honeypop

Silly question from me, who has been on this site for quite a while now... where should I post my SOA? I'm intrigued by people (not on here, in real life) telling us that we MUST be able to cut back and be able to save for when i need time off with baby, when literally we just cover bills and other outgoings, which are regularly checked to see we are getting the best deals, and have a minimal amount left over. I'd love to see if I am missing something, just in case.

skintmostofthetime

I know how hard it is - they didn't diagnose my early meno until too late to do much about it so go for it and good luck. Can I be godmother ??