Family of 3- How much to live on?

Markie11

sh1305 wrote: »

it's to pay for baby things, such as a cot and a pram.

'Health in Pregnancy' Grant - You'll need to have reached the 25th week of your pregnancy before 1 January 2011 to qualify.

This is not for buying cot and pram. It could be used for that but its purpose is for keeping the pregnant woman healthy by being able to buy additional veg and fruit whilst pregnant. That is why you only get one payment per pregnancy not per child. Not means tested.

The SureStart Maternity Grant is for £500 per child for the purposes as described, e.g. Prams, Cots, Clothing, Nappies, Food. It's means-tested and it's also a one off payment per child, so if you have a multiple birth then it's multiplied.

ironman1

I dont think my gf will qualify then, even though the Midwife said it's more than likely, as she is only 25 weeks today. Also won't get the SureStart Grant by the look of it.

How annoying...

ironman1

Found out yesterday that the next job I'm going on will cost more in terms of travel and less in terms of wages (less hours), really worried now.

For the next two months at least, I will go from £330 (-£15pw travel) to £312 - (-£39 travel). Self employed aswell so any days off or lates and I'm docked!)

Looking at the outgoings again we currently pay out roughly £1150 a month including all bills and shopping.

Considering I'll be getting about 1250 quid for the next couple months+ it's going to be really tight when my gf leaves work and goes on maternity pay.

I'm usually positive but secretly wondering if we'll cope.

ironman1

Anyone else in a similar position?


Also any Baby bargains found?!

madnessandmayhem

hi, with the health in pregnancy grant you have to be in you 25th week of pregnancy on 1st jan, so to be in your 25th week, you need to be 24 weeks and 1 day pregnant on jan 1st-the last due date that can get it is 21sth april i think-if your girlfriend was 25 weeks a couple of days ago chances are she should be able to get-worth sending a form in anyway!

ironman1

She is due on 23 April. But maybe we can send off the form anyway. It's annoying as she was originally given an April 17th due date

horse76

ironman1 wrote: »

I don't know how or why our gas and electric is so cheap. I have even phoned British Gas to ask why (in case we get hit by a mega bill) but they have taken our meter readings each month and do their own every now and then and they insist it is right.

The direct debit is £10 gas £8 electric and we are even in credit by about £120.

We live in new build flat on the 2nd floor of 3. Maybe we get heat coming from around us or something. Im not complaining :beer:

We were in a new build house (shared-ownership), this was 9 years ago. Our gas/electric was really cheap to begin with, possibly first year, can't remember as was so long ago - didn't complain though. Then it shot up to a more realistic amount without warning. I remember phoning Scottish Power, but can't remember reason I was given, just knew we had to pay up. Was a bit bizarre, but it's what happened to us and we were paying by bill when it was due, not set monthly payment. Don't know how long you've been in your flat, but hope this doesn't happen to you. Have you queried why it's so cheap?

Going back to cheap baby buys. Like another poster said, try value items if you can. I'm on Maternity leave just now and money is very tight, been cutting back where we can.

I have an 18 week old, he's our 2nd child, and first time around we would use mostly brand name baby products. Now we've gotten into the habit of buying only what's on offer. We use Morrisons value baby wipes which cost around 17p a pack, and for that price I really like them.

We're using Pampers/Huggies nappies at the moment, as we got alot of money-off coupons from baby clubs. Also stock-piled when Morrisons had 2 for £10 on boxes of Huggies a few months ago, and same with Amazon when they had the same offer (Amazon is good for other baby offers). Also Sainsbury's have a half-price baby event on toiletries etc every so often, worth it for the bargains.

Home Bargains have a good baby section too, stocking crib/moses basket sheets and blankets. I've got some really cheap weaning foods (in date for ages) at HB too - Heinz baby pasta and rice, 29p each.

HTH

ironman1

We have lived here around two years and two months. Whenever I ask BG they don't really give an answer why it's so cheap, I'm not gonna ring them too often but it's definitely out meter and readings etc. Would be gutted if it goes up alot but I can't see how or why it will...

HOPEFULLY!

CouponWoman

If you look on this thread you will find loads of money saving coupons and tips. There is a coupon for 2 boxes of Huggies Newborn free from Asda, worth £5 each as well as loads of other really good money saving advice

Updated Printable Money off Coupons & Policies Thread 15 (and chat)


Good luck with the baby

vroombroom

Ironman, get your gf to check with her mw about the HiP grant - just is due a few days after me and I have just about qualified for it:D

I've kitted the nursery out from ebay - the curtains, border, lightshade, lamp etc - were from a range at Babies R US that I love but it would have cost over £70 to get it all from there. My ebay package cost £35, plus I got a brand new crib off there for £20.

The only thing we wont scrimp on is the cot/mattress, that will be brand new.

If anyone offers you anything - accept it. I've been given a huge bundle of baby clothes yesterday, most of them brand new and never worn! x

And make sure you join all the baby clubs, Boots, Sainsburys, Emmas Diary etc cos they send you vouchers x