MSE pregnancy club II

Sheel

traveller wrote: »

For anyone after a steriliser, I picked up the tommee tippee microwave one complete with 3 back to nature bottles for 10.00 in Asda on saturday.

That's a great price :T

My daughter bought that one a few months ago when it was on special offer at Mothercare. Think it was £14.99 and we thought that was a good price!

miss_be

I just need to write at the moment as I'm feeling so totally awful. We are in so much debt that there is no spare money to even buy the last few baby things that I need. I've spent no money so far anyway as we've been really lucky with family and friends helping us out.

It's only a month till Ember is born and I really could do with no stress but it's all pilling on. My partner is self employed and there was hardly any work over Christmas so the money went down. I don't work at all and we get some housing benefit and council benefit. We can only afford £20 a week on food and I'm sure I'm not eating as properly as I should be so close to the birth.

I just don't see any way out and we have borrowed so much off family and friends in order to pay bills but it never changes our situation. I really don't know what to do. I'm trying to keep positive about it but the prospect of bringing my 1st child into a life where there's no money really upsets me. We are only just keeping our heads above water and there are so many bills to pay. This really comes at a time when I need things to be settled and not stressful.

We're anticipating the sure start grant when the baby comes but that'll pay the tax bill. Our housing benefit, council tax and working tax credits will go up a bit too. There' s not even a chance of OH being able to take time off work because he'll need to work to get enough money. It makes me so sad. There's nothing that I can do to make money now so I'm totally reliant on what work OH gets. I'm sorry about this but I just feel so awful about it all. I just don't know what to do. We'll probably have to cut off our phone and internet, which'll make me feel totally isolated. Does anyone have any words of wisdom or suggestions please? I really need some help at the moment. Thanks.

3KIDSNOMONEY

hi TRAVELLER and welcome to the pregnancy club. This is my fourth child too and i am also trying not to waste money on items that i just won't use or need - my house is full enough as it is. Having said that i am finding it hard particularly as internet shopping is so easy and as my youngest has just started school i seem to have a lot of time to shop.

I bought an avent microwave steriliser as i have had one of these with all my children - bought from boots for £14.99 on offer the other day - normally £24.99 - Argos are selling these for £34.99 - definitely pays to shop around. I have been building my boots card points up so that when i am really skint when the baby is here i can still get nappies from boots without physically spending any money - great excuse to get out of the house for too.

So bored as my son started full time school today and there is only so much cleaning i need and want to do - i am sure i can find jobs to do but can't really be bothered. Had a sleep this morning and woke up feeling like i didn't know what day it was !

Hope everyone is doing OK.

traveller

Hi 3 kids and thanks for the welcome!I have the day off from wotk today and have done absolutely nothing,lol! When are you due-my date is may 3rd-although I'm always late!

Ms B, try not to worry.I know all about financial hardship.It is tough, my fourth was not planned and financially it is tough-VERY! But worry will only make you ill and you don't need that at this time.I'm sure someone will be along with some practical advice, I just wanted you to know that when it all seems against you there can be light at he end of the tunnel,something which I have now come to realise.Take care of yourself.

3KIDSNOMONEY

Traveller - i am due 28th February - so not all that long left. 2 of my children have been late and one early so not sure which way i am going to go this time. Although this thread seems to make women go overdue!!!


Miss-Be - As traveller said try not to worry. Did you know that you can claim the sure start grant 11 weeks before your baby is born? Despite what people say, in the first 6 months of a babies life they don't have to actually cost that much. Nappies will be the biggest expense. It's great that you have got family and friends who have helped you out - never be too proud to ask for help, i can remember being so short of money when i had my oldest child that i had to ask my mum for a couple of pounds for some nappy rash cream. Felt awful asking but she was pleased to help. Whilst you have the internet this thread is great for having a good old moan and asking for advice. As regards eating - if you are concerned then you are obviously doing the best you can - i don't suppose you are drinking or smoking (otherwise you would give these up to save money) and lots of women do whilst pregnancy so i would imagine you are doing your best. Take care

purplegirluk1

Miss-Be, go over and have a look at the Money Saving Old Style board, I promise you they can make £20 a week go a REALLY long way and the meals you will be able to make will be very good for you, much better than any ready made meal etc. That board has seen us through some very lean times I can tell you. My OH is self emplyed too and he also had a quiete christmas so I know how you feel.

You mentioned the Sure Start grant, you can get that now so I would read this and apply asap http://www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk/JCP/Customers/WorkingAgeBenefits/Dev_013950.xml.html

Oh and on the topic of eating right have you been getting your Healthy Start vouchers? These allow you to buy fruit and veg.
http://www.healthystart.nhs.uk/

Don't feel down about things, if you are doing your best then your baby will be happy. It sounds like you have a great support system, they wont see you and your baby go without.

I hope this info helps a bit. Keep smiling

Bun

Hi Traveller, welcome!
Hi 3kids - hope you are ok.
Miss_Be - I know how you feel - our financial situation has changed a bit recently and I am worried too - am doing Martin's financial juggle and going to the os boards again, which are great. Would definitely recommend a slow cooker - can use cheap cuts of meat, cheap veg and are great if you have a baby. There are loads of recipes over there. Again, sounds as if you have a good support system and babies don't need that much really. Try to get as much on ebay as you can - this will save you an absolute fortune.
Hi Purplegirl - hope you are ok feeling a bit better today!

On mine and 3kids continued moan about other people's comments, had one today from a friend who hasn't seen me for months, which was not only a small bump (I am only bump, nothing else anywhere at all) but that I had a 'pregnancy face'. She did add blooming later but only as a placation I think.
Goes down as top comment for the week I think!

frugalfreda

I can't wait to start contributing to this thread. We should be TTC in about 3 months so starting on the folic acid supplements tomorrow.:D

See you in 3 months!

coleys

frugalfreda wrote: »

I can't wait to start contributing to this thread. We should be TTC in about 3 months so starting on the folic acid supplements tomorrow.:D

See you in 3 months!

Good Luck frugalfreda, if we are anything to go by, it wont take long once you join the list.. only took us about a week! :T

Pink_Princess_1

Bun- I know how you feel - a woman came into my office yesterday and said 'ive never seen anyone carry it in their face before'!!!! I work in HR and usually have to be polite but my reply was anything but! Never mind only 4 more weeks to go.....