Supporting a pregnant partner

pelirocco

Charlie1978 wrote: »

Put it this way - she goes into labour and can't let you know because you wouldn't pay for her phone bill. She's out and about and run out of credit on her payg sim. She's now, pregnant, in labour and panicking without you. How would you feel?

In this day and age a mobile phone is pretty much a necessity. Well it is for me i'm afraid. And if the new contract isn't any different to the old contract then I don't see the problem. I thought it might be an added expense but it isn't.

I don't however agree with buying her a new phone just because she's having his baby. If that's the case then where does it end?? Spoilt brat wants a car next month and you should buy it her because she's having your baby? And i'm not calling her a spoilt brat before anyone jumps on my back. I'm saying her expecting a phone because she is having his baby is spoilt brattish. But I don't think she does. I think she just see's it as a replacement contract tbh. And to me if there are no added expense then I don't see why she can't have it.

I hate to break this to you , but mobile phones havent been around for ever:rotfl: , how do you think people managed before .

As money isnt elastic , and can only be spent once , you just have to weigh up whether the money could be spent on something more useful / enjoyable

Charlie1978

pelirocco wrote: »

I hate to break this to you , but mobile phones havent been around for ever:rotfl: , how do you think people managed before .

As money isnt elastic , and can only be spent once , you just have to weigh up whether the money could be spent on something more useful / enjoyable

I know. But times change. I would no longer use a rag as a sanitary towel yet that's what they used to use.

I'd be lost without my mobile phone. Because i've become dependant on it. I guess I could go without if I had to. And would if it meant my kids needed to eat. But the situation isn't like that for me. And I doubt it is for them either. Only they can work out their finances and make the decisions though.

GEEGEE8

What about a 30 day contract?

If times get hard then you can both agree that the phone is sold on eBay and the contract is given it's 30 day notice and swapped to a pay as you go.

I was looking at 02 the other day and the 30 day contracts were just as good as the contract ones, if not better. You seem to get more.

Buy a refurbished iPhone to save even more costs?

This way she can get the phone and you can have the security of knowing it can be cancelled with 30 days notice if times get hard.

Gordon_Hose

I have a child from a previous relationship, and I have supported him financially ever since my relationship with his Mum broke down. So I know how much of a strain it can be, but my ex was a Nanny so she didn't have to leave work, just took some emergency holiday when my son was born, then went straight back to work.

All this is new to me. I assume I should be responsible for all my partners outgoings, including mobile phones, when she leaves work on maternity leave. I just don't think one wage is enough, even if we cut back all non-essentials.

Gordon_Hose

GEEGEE8 wrote: »

What about a 30 day contract?

If times get hard then you can both agree that the phone is sold on eBay and the contract is given it's 30 day notice and swapped to a pay as you go.

I was looking at 02 the other day and the 30 day contracts were just as good as the contract ones, if not better. You seem to get more.

Buy a refurbished iPhone to save even more costs?

This way she can get the phone and you can have the security of knowing it can be cancelled with 30 days notice if times get hard.

I suggested this, but she'd have to keep her existing phone. We don't have the money to pay for refurbished phones.

Tigsteroonie

Gordon_Hose wrote: »

All this is new to me. I assume I should be responsible for all my partners outgoings, including mobile phones, when she leaves work on maternity leave. I just don't think one wage is enough, even if we cut back all non-essentials.

At the risk of sounding like a broken record, you need to have this conversation with her! I don't think it's a question of whether you let her have this indulgence iPhone, I think it's whether you can afford to!

Gordon_Hose

Tigsteroonie wrote: »

At the risk of sounding like a broken record, you need to have this conversation with her! I don't think it's a question of whether you let her have this indulgence iPhone, I think it's whether you can afford to!

I wish people would stop using the words "let her have"...

I'm not enforcing any restrictions on her choice of phone. I'm not saying she can't have it :huh:

I don't dictate what she can and can't have. I'm here to gather opinions on whether her getting a new iPhone on a 2 year contract knowing full well I could end up paying it, or whether I am being unreasonable. Should she should consider something a bit cheaper, like these 30 day rolling contracts that have been mentioned etc

Charlie1978

If you can't afford it, you can't afford it. We all want things we can't have because we can't afford it!

Write down a list of bills. How much they cost each month and total it all up. Factor in the phone to start with and see what is left. Show it to her and see what she says. At least she knows it's not because you don't want her to have it, you're just being sensible because you want to look after everyone.

Gordon_Hose

I just did, and tbh...it doesn't look good. I guess that's my answer then

HRV

I think she needs to get her priorities straight. She wants a baby and to have 6 months off- she'll have to make sacrifices. We are considering a baby (with me going bak to work after 3 months full time) and in prep I am not renewing my phone contract, changing my car, buying clothes etc. to make sure we can manage bills/ get our house to a safe state (it's a renovation) for a baby.

She needs to look beyond gadgets and decide whats more important