Family Planning?

jyonda

Anyone actually putting off plans to have children because of the recession? Or conversely is now actually a GOOD time to be having kids as it's more likely a parent will be at home to care for the child? Lots of Mums I knew barely made anything after paying tax and the Nursery/childminder anyway....

IveSeenTheLight

Were about to have a child, due in a few weeks.
Mind you the better half has been involved in "non work" activities for the last two years.

As for childcare, I understand there is an option in the UK to get vouchers for childcare deducted from salary before you are taxed

http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/childcare/

leftieM

jyonda wrote: »

Lots of Mums I knew barely made anything after paying tax and the Nursery/childminder anyway....

They were probably just having a moan. At the end of the day, who's going to work if it's not worth their while financially?

MrDT

Christ, I'm putting it off as long as possible. !!!!!! all to do with recession mind.

thriftybabe

IveSeenTheLight wrote: »

Were about to have a child, due in a few weeks.
Mind you the better half has been involved in "non work" activities for the last two years.

As for childcare, I understand there is an option in the UK to get vouchers for childcare deducted from salary before you are taxed

http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/childcare/

I have been using these for the last few years. They have been great. I used a Company called Busy bees.

jyonda

leftieM wrote: »

They were probably just having a moan. At the end of the day, who's going to work if it's not worth their while financially?

Well yes but it was more that they were hanging on to the job because at some at some point it would make more financial sense, they didn't want to be at home 24/7 with the kids and if they left they would lose accrued holiday, pensions and benefits of being long term employed.

I say nevermind the recession there's always going to be a reason not to be a parent if your looking for one. Besides, nature may not be quite as co-operative as you would like if left too long.

penguine

leftieM wrote: »

They were probably just having a moan. At the end of the day, who's going to work if it's not worth their while financially?

I went back to work part-time after my daughter was born. I cleared about £150 a month after paying nursery fees and taxes. But I did it because I enjoyed my job, wanted to keep up my pension, and still have a job by the time my daughter started school. Childcare costs go down a bit as your child gets older (if they're in nursery anyway). At 2 the carer-child ratio is lower so they charge a bit less. At 3 1/2 - 4 you get a discount from your local authority towards a certain number of hours of early years education per week, which reduces the cost a bit more.

SGE1

I'm rather liking the idea of babies.

Unfortunately I don't really have the spare cash.

And if I did, I would also need to get down with some complex trickery with my other half.

penguine

thriftybabe wrote: »

I have been using these for the last few years. They have been great. I used a Company called Busy bees.

I use childcare vouchers too. It's down to whether your employer wants to offer them though (and sometimes the administrative costs exceed what they are willing to pay for the small number of employees who might be interested). My childcare costs are more irregular now as it's after school and holiday club fees, which vary throughout the year, so it's sometimes a bit of a hassle and at the moment I have a largish balance in my busybees account. But IMO it's worth the trouble for the amount of money you save paying for childcare out of pre tax income.

DKLS

I did a business case analysis of having a kid, and decided I would have more fun if I had the snip so I could enjoy a nice car, more holidays and a disposable income.

Generali

MrDT wrote: »

Christ, I'm putting it off as long as possible. !!!!!! all to do with recession mind.

The unconditional love your kids give you is the greatest feeling there is, IMO.