long time user but changed my name.

antonia1

Hiya speckham, just a couple of things to note. Firstly, your grocery bill is high. For two adults you should be looking more at the £120 - £150 mark. Try the Old Style board for ideas, there's a thread about a family of four managing on £220 per month. Secondly, do you think your Dad might accept a "payment holiday" when you are on maternity leave? And is your maternity pay definitely correct? Statutory Maternity Pay is £102 per week, but some companies pay a bit more, so it is worth checking your contract. As Tixy says, if the holiday is all inclusive and paid for on the credit card, you might be double counting it.

And good luck in trying for a baby!

suziebeau

Well, with regard to "costing out" a baby, you really need to make a few personal choices about that! You can spend £££ on kitting out a baby, but actually you don't need that much stuff (talk to friends / relatives on what they would recommend as minimum) and you can usually get nice quality second hand "big" items. I've got some lovely baby stuff off freecycle too. There are some things you will need to get new - e.g. I'd have a second hand cot but clean it really well and buy a new, approved mattress.

On the feeding front, well if you want and are able to breastfeed that's nice and cheap Although you will want a couple of bottles and a steriliser for water etc. If you decide to use formula, well that is pricey, and you need a lot more kit. Nappies and wipes are expensive but you can use own brand and there are usually decent offers if you bulk buy. I NEVER bought prepared baby food, made my own in batches and froze it, and that is cheap to do if you have access to reasonably priced fruit and veg and a freezer.

You need to decide what you personally want to do, how much you need to spend on it, and undertake some research........ Good luck with it!
Sx

Delree

The Mexico holiday seems daft for two reasons, can't afford it and if things go to plan you'll be pregnant, possibly heavily.
That's the only fault and its not like you're killing anyone, I wish you all the best

kj*daisy

I would honestly advise you wait and start trying for a family after your Mexico trip, it's only 6 months away and tbh you don't know how you'll feel when pregnant, I had to cancel going to a family wedding abroad when I fell pregnant because I felt so sick, i would not have enjoyed it at all. And you don't know whether your pregnancy will be plain sailing, or not. You can then spend the next 6 month debt busting and be in a better position for when your salary does drop while you are on maternity leave. Good luck.

charlyze2

Hi
I would also suggest waiting until after (or during) your holiday to have a baby. It would give you more time to pay your debts before the baby came along for one thing it will only be a couple more months to wait, (although i am aware that it will feel longer when its something you really want)
Also depending on how far along you could be when you fly it might not be very pleasant with morning sickness etc.

At least if you wait you can start mat leave with the knowledge that your debts are paid and you will enjoy your time off more knowing you are not worrying about money.

haras_nosirrah

poppasmurf_bewdley wrote: »

You can't really afford to go to Mexico can you?

Can you not get anything back on your booking?

Looking at the OP's SOA I can't see why they can't afford to go to Mexico. If they are double counting the holiday then they have around £900 a month left over and seem to have the money in savings so if they are careful then it seems they can afford to go. Also if they aren't having a baby yet then surely they can't never go away again just in case they get pregnant?

Am I missing something?