Best tips for coping on a reduced family income when first child arrives?

twinmom04

freecycle is a great site

heretolearn_2

One thing to remember is that although your income is reducing, so are some of your expenses. No more ready made sandwiches for lunch, no travel costs, no office wardrobe to buy, so it's not all bad news...

ALIBOBSY

Sometimes I think you need to look at things another way. You may loose some income, but you are gaining a massive resource-time.
I went from full time to part time and finally to SAHM when baby 3 was born (now have 4 lol)

All those things you paid a premium for the "ready" made versions of you now do yourself. This saves alot for food/meals/cakes etc.
You have time to meal plan, make shopping lists and shop around ie. instead of a once a week/month mad dash around mr t/mr a etc you can go to several shops and bag those bargains use the internet to spot the best buys-now have time to try those little local suppliers you normally can't get to farm shops are brilliant.

I do other things such as growing veggies and keeping chickens all of which are great for the kids and help the wallet.

You have time to really budget and get the best deals on insurance etc. You spend alot less on petrol-until I was 7 months pregnant with no 3 we shared one car, if I needed it oh would bus it/train it/bike it or I would do an early school run with him as first drop off lol.

Even if you can't go to one car petrol is alot less.

Breastfeeding is the best thing I did and as well as saving money it is so nice at night when you can just stick them on when they cry no messing with bottles, or strerilisers. It isn't as hard as people make out although some find it easier than others- I am feeding my toddler as I type with the other hand now lol. Those first few weeks are the hardest. No one tells you how the baby is on alot for the first day and through the night, but this stimulates the milk to come in. Tip for those nipples is Laninsoh-expensive but lasts ages.

good luck and enjoy it.

Ali x

Pinkblue21

HI All,

I love reading Moneysavingexpert but this is my first post so I am not sure if I am putting it in the right place...sorry

I am going on maternity leave next year. I have looked at the direct government site and worked out what I am entitled to... but my question is do you actually get ALL of it?

From my salery now the deductions are;
Employee NIC
Tax
Student loan
Pension contributions

are they going to take any of these from the mat leave payments??? and reduce what I get? or do I receive the total amount?

If anyone has been on mat leave recently and can advise me I would really appreciate that.

thanks

Pinkblue21