Need Advice

ChocClare

We used to have Economy 7 at our last place. As stated earlier, it means electricity is cheaper at night - for seven hours, hence the name. Ours was between one and eight, but yours might be midnight and seven - you'd need to check with your supplier. Some people use it for boilers and storage heaters, but you can use it for appliances as well.
So... invest in some timers! Our dishwasher and washing machine didn't ever go on until after 1am! With a new baby, you'll be using your washing machine a lot even if you haven't got a dishwasher. Buy one of those timer sockets that you plug into the normal socket for the washing machine; set the time on it to...whatever, late night or early morning; fill the washing machine, put the powder in and turn it on. Nothing will happen until the little timer clicks at the time you've set to turn the electricity on. Obviously, if you live in a flat with a hugely noisy washing machine this could be a problem, but we saved ourselves noticeable amounts of money doing this when we were running the washing machine every day.

carolt

Hi, I 'm very similar to you - although our expenses/incomes are different the figures come to almost the same - the main difference is I live on the edge of London, where my husband works - so his salary is higher, but our rent (we can't afford to buy - v jealous of your £420 mortgage compared to our £1100 rent!) is much higher as are travelling costs. I know where you're coming from re presents and holidays - we spend similar or slightly more but it's a matter of priorities isn't it?

As a SAHM mum/part-time worker myself, it's not too hard to bring in the extra pennies - this year I've sold lots of stuff on ebay, and making £50 a week is not too arduous if you're as cluttered as we are or have a market you know well (I sell new and second-hand books). Or look at local part-time work - you don't say what area you worked in, but it may be possible for you to continue working a few hours a week self-employed or from home, whilst the baby is asleep or if you have any family/friends to help. Maybe a babysitting share with a friend or acquaintance from a mother and toddler group so you can both work? I went back to work part-time (6 hours a week) when my first maternity leave stopped - then it was only 4 months at £60/week, less than now, to pay the bills. There are a lot of alternatives - if it was me I'd cut the yoga! - but the, as I said, only you know how important that is to you.

Judi101

Thanks for all the help, I really appreciate it.

Claudie I haven't been working for my current employers for very long (only 1 year) so they dont need to pay me anything re redundancy. Thanks for the advice on the childcare, I have arranged some with the idea being I return to work 3 days a week and we have gone with the provider used by friends of ours Definitely the way to go, I agree. I have thought about getting a bar job or a job at Asda's in the evenings as there are places nearby I can walk to within 30 minutes. Will look into the Working Tax Credit.

Lillbet I agree re the holiday budget. I guess I was thinking that this money would be my emergency savings etc and if anything was left holiday savings. I like the idea of holidaying with family. All my family live in Northumberland near some great (if chilly!) beaches so that might be an idea. Water rates are expensive but with a 3 month old I cant imagine a meter being cheaper, baths every night and the washing machine on every 2/3 days. I totally totally agree about the present budget. I have tried to talk to my DH about it but he says we are in danger of being seen as tight and everyone is very very generous in buying for DD. Maybe I need to have another conversation with him about it? Yep the accident, sickness & redundancy cover would go as its just on me and so would the magazines. The food budget covers everything like cleaning, toiletries, stationery, stamps etc etc.

Miaxmia - I am currently claiming Maternity Allowance as I havent been with my current employer long enough for SMP. My job was removed just after I went on maternity leave and so being made redundant when my maternity leave is over is a definite possibility.

Spendless - I agree the car is a luxury on this budget but my family live in Northumberland and we need it for travelling up there. DH also uses it during the winter sometimes instead of the bus (its just as cheap to take the car into town and park all day as to get the bus, how stupid is that?). Its a luxury but we'd really struggle without it as the local public transport is appauling.

Dr Lou - great idea re the Sun holidays, hadnt thought of that. I dont really know anyone local with babies or children so I am going to the playgroups in the hope of meeting up with some people so I can then follow your suggestion.

ChocClare - great idea about the washing machine. Ours has a built in delay timer. How stupid do I feel having never taken advantage of economy 7?

Thanks everyone for some great suggestions. I will definitely look into all of them. You are all right and its a matter of priorities. Need to have a serious conversation with DH about ours I think.

I am without internet access until Friday (when I am going in for Day Surgery for a minor issue) so will check back onto OS then. I do love all the great meal ideas and use my slow cooker loads - bought one for my neice for a house warming present at Easter!

Claudie

Good luck Judi. You sound like you are giving this a lot of thought and planning, I am sure everything will fall into place.

With regards to gifts overseas - I used to send loads of parcels to Canada (can be v costly indeed). Now I try to use either Amazon Canada or similar which really cuts down on my postage costs and it is just easier. Most big department stores have online shops now - I Google my Mom's town and find a shop close to her and place an online order and pay with my card. Failing that I now only buy presents that fit into a medium size jiffy bag - there's a challenge but with size based pricing nearly here even that will become more expensive soon.

Even though you have only been with your employer for a year, don't be afraid to ask about redundanacy if this is what you decide you really want. Although they may not be obliged to pay you, they may still give you some type of hardship payment or be willing to pay you a small amount if you wanted to leave anyway. It may save them letting go someone who wanted to stay. My previous emplyer offered 6 weeks pay for redundancy to anyone who had been with them under 2 years.

Good luck with your hospital appt.