Trying for a baby next year - maternity leave?

Listerbelle

We saved enough to ensure that we had two years' worth of all living expenses. A bit OTT in some people's eyes, but we felt it best given the economy.

moneypuddle

wow well done, that cant have been easy!

memoryoftrees

Moneypuddle - yes, the absolute PERFECT time to have a baby for me would be the very end of August, that way I could have over twelve months off but still be paid in full for the six weeks over the summer holiday. I'm aware I can't time things so perfectly though (would be nice! )

Listerbelle, that's brilliant. I will definitely need to have as much as possible behind me.

mildred1978

moneypuddle wrote: »

I dont know if this applies to you, but one lady at my pregnancy yoga class, who's a teacher was telling me that a colleague of hers, arranged to go back after maternity leave in the last week of the school year (so I guess the middle week in July), so that she could be paid as normal over the summer holidays, and won't actually return to work properly until the start of Sep. Obviously you can't arrange pregnancy like this, but if it does happen to fall this way, and if what I heard was correct, it might be worth thinking about?

It's absolutely correct. One of the (few) perks.

choccielover

I deliberately saved lots as i wanted to be able to do what i wanted when i wanted whilst on maternity, plus i earn quite a bit and am on stat maternity package so it was quite a drop indeed!

For me I think I actually spend more money being off with the baby than working. It's obviously different for everyone but I do quite a lot of classes with my baby girl and I pay for nearly all if them.

We do baby massage, baby yoga, water babies swimming lessons, baby sensory classes and also various groups. Obviously the groups are free but we generally meet for coffee and cake etc which is roughly £5 a time ish. All the other classes cost in the region of £50 for 10 sessions (swimming more) so if you are wanting to do lots of things then you need to be aware of the costs. I am sure there are lots of free things to do also though and your children's centre might be lots better than mine and offer good groups to go to.

If you have the baby and are off lots over winter then you need to factor in that your heating, lights etc will be on all day possibly, when usually they would be off whilst you are at work.

There are lots of savings you can make when preparing for the birth, borrowing Moses baskets and cribs etc from friends and just buying new mattresses, stocking up on nappies and essentials during supermarkets baby events for example. Shops like TK Maxx do loads of baby stuff cheap so you don't need to spend a fortune on blankets etc and to be honest, they live in sleep suits for the first few months so you don't need loads of expensive clothes.

Good luck with it all.

Choccie

memoryoftrees

Choccie ... please excuse the personal nature of my post but how much did you save?

Excellent point re heating/lights. Thanks.

mildred1978

Ooh, water babies is a huge rip off IMO. We take our son swimming at the local pool and he taught himself to swim with arm bands at about 18 months. The 2 babies I know that did water babies from birth (almost) until recently can't propel themselves in water at all. That's after about £300 of 'lessons' and even more on expensive photos.

We did/do baby massage, baby signing, a music class, and now a soft play session each week. Plus a welsh playgroup and swimming. And yes, it's at least £10 for lunch and coffee after each one.

amyloofoo

OP, sorry I don't have much to add, but I'm very interested in this too as I hope to begin 'trying' around the end of April next year. If you feel like whinging / chatting at any point before starting to try, then please come and join us on the 'those who are waiting to TTC thread', we're friendly, I promise!

choccielover

I saved in the region of £8k but will be having a big holiday in sept and also had one in June and also a couple of long weekends away etc. also my monthly out goings are reasonably low in comparison to my income so obviously instead of saving each month, that money now goes to bills/spend. I also wanted to give myself the option of having more time off if I so desired. My initial plan was 7 months, but I am now having 10 months.

I wouldn't go on what I or anyone else saved as an amount to guide you. It depends on your income vs expenditure now and you need to take a reasonable guess at how much you think you will need when off. Add a contingency too, washers breaking, cars needing new tyres etc. then work out how much income you will get over that period and you will need to save the difference. Anything over and above is great.

I guess it's each to their own Mildred, and different people must have very different experiences as my daughter is loving her lessons. We didn't do the photo shoot (which I agree iis exorbitantly expensive!) but I find the lessons good value and she is doing great with them and at 5 months has amazing confidence in water that I dont think she would get from us taking her ourselves to a local pool and just swimming around with her.

cherylypop

Hi,
Just to put in my 2 pence worth-am currently 38 weeks pregnant with 1st child. My oh and I are not particularly great with money (but trying hence coming on here) so haven't saved the amounts that many people areaying on here. We are planning on playing it by ear and by my calculations I should be able to have 6 months off or 9 if we're coping well. I have friends in far worse situations than myelf and my partner (take home pay approx £3-3.3k a month-obviously at the moment-not whilst on maternity!) who have taken some time off. Whilst I've obviously not had the experience of living off maternity pay we've already found loads of money saving bits and pieces. e.g. picking up a couple of bits and pieces in weekly shop (nappies, wipes, creams, bottles, clothes etc)-epecially when the supermarkets have their baby events, taking family/ friends/colleagues up on offers (to borrow maternity clothes, baby toys, clothes, help to decorate baby's room etc)-we've been given so many things-especially clothes, and visit 'nearly new' sales-we went to one at a local primary school and got clothes, accessories which would have cost about £200 new for about £25-and most of the clothes look new/next to new. Also charity shops/second hand book shops for 2nd hand bits and pieces and ebay for maternity clothes, and steer clear of M & P-is extortionate and I have found not particularly great quality (my maternity swimming costume from said shop is see through after only a few uses!!
I have also been worried about living off SMP however friends with children have said babies are not as expensive as youd think (you won't be going out as much and need the new clothes to match etc-have already found being pregnant ha saved loads of money for that reason)-and I imagine getting additional time off work is motivation to be good with money....
Anyway-apologies for the ramble as not quite what you asked for but these are the things we've found useful so far.....