Looking at starting a family

jemb

7k isnt hardly a part time salary surely? Maybe you need to think about gettin gher sorted in a new job, working the required o she would get maternity and then think about it again? It's going to throw your world upside down. I'm the same age as your gf and my husband is 2 years older than you. No disrespect but we earn more than you and have to sit down to see if we can afford a baby. Plus, you say your saving for a wedding and a holiday? Maybe wait until after your hol and can save up for a baby?

sweetilemon

The ideal would be for your g/f to get a higher paid job with maternity benefits. Your phone, internet & tv costs are high - are they the lowest they can be? Is your house big enough for a child? Probably could be do-able with second hand things from free-cycle, breast feeding etc but ideally you could try to increase your income and save prior. The thing is when you live so tight, one car breakdown/washing machine/house repair throws you in trouble. Goodluck.

Abbymoo

In the nicest possible way we're on 45k and I'll probably get slated for saying it but I'd still be terrified of having a nipper (childhood poverty makes me obsessive about being totally financially sound before having children, I realise many people have families on way less). Having a child already adds so much stress to a relationship without throwing in the massive strain of stretched finances.
Best of luck if you go ahead though, I guess there's never an 'ideal time' anyway

Goldiegirl

I've seen people have children on a single salary of around £17000, and to be honest life looks like a complete slog for them, with no light at the end of the tunnel.

lilymay1

10 years ago I think £17k (+ all the state hand-outs) would probably have been sufficient, but nowadays I think it would be a real struggle. You look like you're paying rock-bottom interest rates on your mortgage at the moment and your spare £200 a month will soon get swallowed up when they go back up.

You run the risk of getting 'stuck' at the bottom of the pile if you have a baby now. Although you might be entitled to some help with childcare if you're partner works, I think the cut off for Tax Credits is about £25k and you're pretty close to that. Of course it all changes in April.

I wouldn't be considering adding to my family if I were in your position.

Ladyhawk

I think OP should be congratulated for considering the financial impact of having a child. Too many people get sprogged up and damn the consequences or expect the state to pick up the slack. Well done OP but please get your finances sorted before you bring a little darling into this world