Looking at starting a family

Secret_Agent_2013

hi all.

forgive me if this is a daft question however here goes.

is there a rough idea how much disposable (i wish) income, you would need to be able to support a family.

i currently earn 17k a year and my girlfreind 7k.

we want to start a family however, that would probably mean my gf gives up working (chilcare costs seem rediculous)

at present i pay all the household bills, and if we take off the other halfs income, we would have about £200 a month spare, would this be enough or should i hold off for a while.

i have some savings but not a huge ammount, also we own our home, so any major rate changes would really put us in the shi**

Ladyhawk

How old are you? How long have you been with your girlfriend? Do either of you have prospects for promotion?

Nicki

Where do you live is a big one too. 17k in London or the South East doesn't go anywhere nearly as far as in some other parts of the country.

Secret_Agent_2013

east midlands
currently going for a promotion however expect watges to be 18-19k max
been together 7 years,
4.5 yr left on fixed mortgage
thinking of getting married next or year after
girlfreind stuck in a dead end job paid just below MW (whole diff story), would quite tomorrow if i let her.....

Person_one

Secret_Agent_2013 wrote: »

would quite tomorrow if i let her.....

If you let her?

lovesabargain123

Don't forget you'd get child benefit for the little one and probably some tax credits aswell.

Baby stuff can be bought really cheaply, especially second hand as babies don't stay in stuff very long so things are like new

Good luck x

Secret_Agent_2013

yeah she hates her job, but a job nowdays isnt something you leave because you dont like it.

and i mean if i let her as in if i turned around and said now/tomorrow/years time, quite if you dont like it and ill look after you she would lol

McKneff

Person_one wrote: »

If you let her?

Ha, just what I was thinking, hopefully it was just a slip of the tongue.

OP, you are going to find it difficult to manage on that salary.

Give yourselves time before you have a child, wait till after you are married at least. #

Have you sat down and worked ALL your outgoings on paper.

Loanranger

You can't afford it. Wait until you get a better job and same for your girlfriend. Qualifications help to get a better paid job.

Secret_Agent_2013

Loanranger wrote: »

You can't afford it. Wait until you get a better job and same for your girlfriend. Qualifications help to get a better paid job.

i have qualifications i have a diploma in IT, along with other IT quals, however the best i can get is what im currently doing, my girlfreind will probably give up work to be honest as childcare costs would be more than her bring home pay......

bills are:

Pension £32.87 Mortgage / Rent £407.00 Council Tax £107.00 Water £20.00 Gas & Electric £80.00 TV Licence paid annual Food £160.00 Petrol £200.00 Car Insurance paid annual Home Insurance £31.80 ASU INSURANCE £20.00 Life + Critical illness £52.30 my Mobile £10.00 her mobile £15.00 TV Phone + Internet £55.00

then there additional, i would take off straight away if short

Loanranger

But you still can't afford it!