Baby and Debt... some advice needed

madmich666

Hi all,

Just had the scariest weekend of my life finding out that I'm pregnant. Its really early days but already gone into panic mode and husband has as well.

Hubby and I live in a largish 1 bed room flat but have 3 cats, 20 mice and a terrapin. As you can see from my sig I owe a S%*& load of money and this is the year that I am starting to make a dent in it but now not sure what to do and need your advice.

And yes I will post an SOA but later when I get home from work... I know that is the first thing to do but wanted to get the ball rolling.

LittleMissKitty

Well firstly congratulations and secondly don't panic.

At the moment it doesn't change anything. You'ev got a good 8 months before you need all the expensive bits and even then there are ways round it. Freecycle and ebay are the number one places to check for baby stuff. Cheap and free are great prices You will get child benefit and tax credits to help once the baby arrives and, depending on your circumstances, before the baby arrives you will get £500 grant and £190 health in pregnancy grant aswell.

You will be drowning in baby clothes from well-wishers and that's pretty much all you need to get started!

Kitty x

niccatw

Hi madmich

Congratulations! Please try not to panic! It won't be good for you

My first thought (which you won't like, I'm guessing) is 3 cats, 20 mice, a terrapin and a baby... do you have any lovely firends that would perhaps be willing to be a surrogate family to even some of your pets?

And before panicking about the cost of a wee one, get in touch with all friend's or family members that might have baby stuff hiding away in their loft, use freecycle, make it well known amongst your close family and friends that nappies and wipes and all the other practical things baby needs will make for excellent pressies. A one bed flat isn't big enough for a room full of teddies, clothes that don't fit...

Can you knit? (I totally can't but am wanting to learn to knit my friend's baby a wee something. She's due in May though so I doubt she'll get anything she'll actually put baby in )

I'm sure there's lots of people on here who can give you more pertinent advice on maternity leave and that kind of thing. Not having kiddies, it's not something I know anything about.

Take care

mozzyc

Congratulations!

With regards to the £500 grant - I think that's only if you are on low income/benefits or something like that.
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyTaxAndBenefits/BenefitsTaxCreditsAndOtherSupport/Expectingorbringingupchildren/DG_10018854

But you are entitled definately to the £190 pregnancy benefit after 25 weeks.
But i'm sure you'll get many more replies after you've posted your SOA.
Good luck

WASHER

Congratulations btw.

Don't panic, you never have any money once you have children, I'm talking from experience here.

Do not get sucked into buying aload of brand new baby stuff, half of it you would probably never use, get to the charity shops or car boot sales. It won't make you a better mum if buy the latest Mamas and Papas pram or a worse mother if you buy a second hand one ffrom Ebay or a car boot sale, babies need attention and love, they don't care where the stuff comes from. Enjoy your pregnancy and baby, its one of lifes miracles.

savingmummy

Congratulations!!

As other people have said don`t panic, babies don`t have to be expensive and i am proof of that!!
Once you know all is ok start hunting about for bits, you really don`t need expensive items!! They all do the same and you won`t have it for long!

I bought a cot bed and my 4 yr old is still in this and it will last her until she is 7 or maybe more, my advice don`t bother with a cot as they will only need to be moved to a junior bed!
Prams the same i got a petite star zia and LOVE it it has done the job for both my children and is suitable from birth!! Ebay have these 2nd hand or new and they are very good, lightweight and extremely good value. They are now sold in argos too i think, originally only available in mothercare online!
Nappies - you can can use reusable or if you go for disposable don`t get sucked into brands, tesco purple pack are just as good as huggies as i found out!
Same as wipes - you can stick to cotton wool and water or go for cheaper wipes, saying that most are always bogof! Poundland sell baby things including toiletries too ALL £1!
Clothes - people buy these believe me, my DD has 2 wardrobes full to last her 6 months half i sold with tags still on and the other half she hardly wore!!
Tesco, asda, ebay all do fab bargains!! From 0-12mth they really grow out of clothes quickly!!

Mumsnet and babyworld are fab sites to visit and you will soon realise babies are not ALL expense!!
I joined babyworld and found it really helpful including finding out what not to buy!!

As you are posting your SOA we may beable to help you to reduce further outgoings to help too! Not forgetting you will get child benefit and tax credits too to help with baby!

There are 4 of us in a 2 bedroom (children 2 and 4) It is doable x

Oeillade

Congratulations!

I managed my debt and finances even though my ex left me with lots of debt and a 5 month old baby whilst I was on maternity leave. 2 years later and debt is well under control and no more needed. So with two of you, it should be fine.

Try www.netmums.com they have adverts for nearly new stuff, either for very little or free and lots of advice for parents in debt.

Xevius

Second pp's on freecycle or buying second hand. I managed loads of bargins through the local paper & ebay. One great tip I picked up was to search for ebay stuff 'within 10 miles of postcode' that allowed free local pickup. The postage cost for heavier items puts other buyers off - I picked up loads doing this such as moses basket for 99p & 3 bin bags of clothes for £5. I also started early, buying a few bits each month as soon as I found out.

Also think about cloth nappies, they really are fab nowadays with many different styles - you can just stick them on a regular 40 deg wash. May seem like a big outlay at first but you can buy these 2nd hand too and be even greener (I just sold some for what I paid preloved less postage so saved loads longterm!). Check out websites like clothnappytree and usednappies.co.uk for bargins.

Good luck with the pregnancy!

Norman_Bean

Congratulations!

NCT sales are great for baby bargains.
Another tip is get a cotbed rather than a normal size cot - last for years longer.
Ask for practical presents - wipes, toilettries etc.
Ask friends and family for hand me downs.
Use reuseable nappies and breastfeed if poss (free food )

You'll be great x

savingmummy

I was all geared up to breast feed but couldn`t
SO instead i stopped our weekly supply of magazines, chocolate, newspapers, and takeaways and that bought the tub of milk (which was £8)!
In the first weeks you will need a tub a week this soon settles down though, works out very expensive but needs must. x

Norman_Bean

savingmummy wrote: »

I was all geared up to breast feed but couldn`t
SO instead i stopped our weekly supply of magazines, chocolate, newspapers, and takeaways and that bought the tub of milk (which was £8)!
In the first weeks you will need a tub a week this soon settles down though, works out very expensive but needs must. x

I agree with savingmummy - I was amazed at how expensive formula was when we started! I used SMA which was one of the cheaper ones but as far as I recall there's not much between them all.