Just found out im pregnant and we are in debt

please-let-me-be-lucky

Congratulations! Just wanted to say that I agree re everything above & whilst there is never a truly right time to have a baby we all cope when it happens! You will be entitled to benefits as mentioned above and there are other 'perks' which go along with certain benefits like free prescriptions, dental treatment & for some, things like healthy start vouchers.

In addition, please keep in mind that friends and family go 'baby mad' and usually buy you things either before or when baby arrives, or donate things they have in the loft from their children if they've had any. For things you need to buy yourself you can get things second hand, you don't need everything new (except cot mattresses). You can get great clothes bundles on eBay for example, or use cheaper stores like Primark for new things.

As has been said above, ultimately all baby needs in food, clothes & nappies. If you can breastfeed that's no expense there. Nappies you can buy as & when they are on offer from now & stockpile, and clothes for newborns are mainly vests & sleep suits which don't have to cost a lot. You don't need a specific 'baby change bag' when any bag will do etc etc

Finally, I hope this post hasnt freaked you out with things you weren't ready to think about. It's still early days & you have a lot to get your head around. Is there anything else you can do to up your income now? Have you read the £10 per day thread on here? Do you do competitions (not guaranteed but you might win what you need or the money to buy it with!). Do you do surveys which pay out in vouchers? Have you got anything to sell to generate cash?

Good luck.

natlie

Hi
I haven't long had my 3rd I had my 2nd when I had started a new job only got mat allowance which was £124 a week, remember you get tax credits and child benefit. I did 2 jobs until I was 33 weeks pregnant with 3rd full-time in the week and waitressing on the weekend.

best thing to do is start planning now!

you will need some bigger clothes - not loads think capsule wardrobe - a pair of jeans, 2 pairs of work trousers, a skirt, a dress maybe, nighties/pjs - that you can use for hospital too, leggings, vests - coming into summer, a few tops - try ebay, or try bigger sizes from pri*ark, peac*cks etc cheap stuff - I manages without buying a coat - summer baby
you will need stuff for hospital bag - maternity towels, breastfeeding bra, have a look on internet as you can get everything you need pre-packed http://www.parties4babyandme.co.uk/pre-packed-hospital-bag you could ask for it as a gift or look at contents for ideas

for baby you will need: cot/basket/crib we just got a cot and used it from birth we used the pram for baby to sleep downstairs - try freecycle, NCT Sales, car boot, fleabay etc
car seat/pram I find the all in one travel system better value - car seat needs to be new not secondhand
clothes for baby- dont buy too much - they dont fit for long we had 5 vests, 2 hats, scratch mittens, 8 sleep suits, 2 cardigans
we used cloth nappies and wipes see www.cheekywipes.com even if you dont fancy the nappies the wipes are brilliant and save you around £200
you can get lots of freebies by signing up to baby clubs - toiletries etc sign up to food ones when baby is 4 months old
a grooming set - nail clippers etc - baby's nails are sharp, grow quick and they use them
try breastfeeding - free
a bouncy chair - very handy
bedding for cot
changing mat (huggies and johnsons baby clubs send you free ones - via b*ots
bath


when you have a baby there are all sorts of things like nappy wrappers, changing stations, rocking chairs, dummies etc etc that baby shops say you need but really baby needs to be safe for travel, clean, fed and have somewhere to sleep

good luck
Nat

sugarcube84

Firstly Congratulations, calm down grab a cuppa and read though all the advice everyone has alreday given you. My next steps would be

- do a SOA and post it on here for advice, a fresh pair of eyes will probably find some savings.

-check out the website RAS suggested

- next check out the HRMC calculators, i think that on your salaries you might be better off claiming tax credits and leaving the vouchers, the calculator on there will be able to tell you.

- write a list for baby- pram check out the models you like in a local pramshop and then get a secondhand version off ebay, Try freecycle for things like moses basket/crib, bouncer, playmat ask friends, try a baby sale near you. You can get most things secondhand and they are like new as they are hardly used the only thing i will say is budget and buy a new mattress or ask for vouchers to go towards it, baby wont need it straight away so i wouldnt kit out a nursery with everything for when baby arrives as they will be in with you!

Nappies if you go down the disposable route @sdas and @ldis are great and there is nothing wrong with smartprice/basic/value wipes and shampoo/baby bath and sign up for all the freebies you can.

As others have said dont get drawn in by the baby shop hype a lot of stuff you will never use/need.

I will second the breastfeeding as well my one piece of advice, if you are struggling with it get help there is lots out there and dont think you have failed if you give up/find it difficult you have to do what is best for you as a family. Happy mum = happy baby. That said give it a try, i did fully expecting not to last 2 days and when my ds weaned himself off them at 6 months i cried!!

harrassedmum

First of all congratulations on your pregnancy. I understand your financial worries having been there myself with my last child.

My first piece of advice is to go straight away to the CAB, but before going get as much information together as you can ie. ALL bills - credit cards, loans, rent, and an inventory of exactly what you have coming in and exactly what you pay out.

The next step is the CAB (who do this everyday of the week) will sit down with you and go through everything. They will prioritize what you have to pay, and then look at credit cards and loans etc. Then on your behalf contact the companies involved and work out amounts that you WILL be able to afford and you may find that they may also stop any interest you are paying on outstanding debts. The companies have to accept this so it it really worth doing and will take all that pressure off you and your partner. The CAB will also deal with any of those nasty and threatening letters certain companies send out.

I know its awful sitting down and working it all out but its for the best. Your pregnant and you dont need the stress. Let CAB deal with the rest and stick to the budget plan they will give you. After that is done just relax and enjoy your pregnancy. Babies do not need three quarters of the things people buy believe me, just get the basics and be a family. Things will work out for you, so please try and not worry to much as things will work out. Good Luck.