How much does a baby add to your budget?

roses

Rambosmum wrote: »

I need to do this analysis too. My career IS important to me, however I know I'll never get these years back with my kids and the cost of child care as you say is eye watering. We have no family close by so can't utilise them, though my mum has said she'll do a day a week, which is lovely, but it's 1.5hours each way for her!

It also depends on the child. Mine was extremely active and enjoyed playing with other kids so he went off to nursery at 9 months and I went back to work as we both got far more enjoyment out of that than him being home with me all day

angel11

Hi all, we're ttc #1 & been thinking about the costs so it's great to hear others experiences. Thanks for starting the thread freddie!

We have no family nearby, & I'll be going back to work, so chilcare will also be our biggest expense. Although both our employers offer Childcare Vouchers, which will help, I did some sums, & using these will hopefully save us £150 each month.

ijustlovesavingmoney

If you work out when you can afford to be a parent, you will be a Grandparent!!!!!


Had 3 daughters no money but a happy time. Now have 8 grandchildren and I can spoil/love them.:j

barbiedoll

sweetilemon wrote: »

I have estimated 3k for the initial equipment - pram, cat seat, nursary furniture etc.

Yeah, you really don't need to buy a cat seat, the cat will quite happily sleep in the pram, baby bouncer, etc etc. :rotfl::rotfl:


Seriously, don't even bother thinking about special nursery furniture. Yes, it's small and cute and comes in pretty colours. It's also too small to be of any use, you'd be better off buying regular furniture that will last a good few years. All a baby will need is a chest of drawers for a while anyway, you don't really need a wardrobe at first.

Person_one

jackieblack wrote: »

Not all mothers prioritise the possibility of some future promotion over spending time with their young children.
Neither can some afford the 'financial hit' - if childcare costs more than take home pay this may mean spending beyond the household's means and incurring debt.

You know, please be careful with this. I've never seen a dad who works get accused of prioritising work over family, or criticised for caring about their career or wanting to work at all!

Its ok for women to enjoy their jobs/careers and care about that side of life as well as about their children.

BucksLady

Our baby daughter was born in July and the costs to date have been so minimal. I do feed her myself and that has probably reduced expenditure considerably. We were overwhelmed with gifts - mainly clothes and toys - which has really helped. It is the years ''ahead'' that will be the problem

zagfles

Person_one wrote: »

You know, please be careful with this. I've never seen a dad who works get accused of prioritising work over family, or criticised for caring about their career or wanting to work at all!

It's the other way round with men - they get called "deadbeat" if they want to be the one at home with the kids instead of doing what society expects of them - ie being the breadwinner.

Person_one

zagfles wrote: »

It's the other way round with men - they get called "deadbeat" if they want to be the one at home with the kids instead of doing what society expects of them - ie being the breadwinner.

Do they? I thought 'deadbeat' was usually applied to dads who leave the family and then don't pay maintenance.

Stay at home dads are rare, but they don't seem to come in for a great deal of stick, certainly not the way working mums do!

Jazee

My DH spent the early years at home with our two as it made more sense for me to work at the time (health wise and financially) and we can honestly say that his career was not affected. Once back at work, man or woman, you just have to prove yourself and those promotions will still come.

duchy

Person_one wrote: »

You know, please be careful with this. I've never seen a dad who works get accused of prioritising work over family, or criticised for caring about their career or wanting to work at all!

Its ok for women to enjoy their jobs/careers and care about that side of life as well as about their children.

.
I know couples where both have continued to work and refused promotions or moved role to avoid needing to travel in their role or to have more scope to work partially from home. In all cases they worked for large corporations and HR were very cooperative in relocating them away from non family friendly roles

I do think attitudes are changing both with employers and employees and work life balance is more acknowledged .

I do however remember the week my son's entire nursery went down with chicken pox. My son had it mildly and wasn't sick but was technically infectious (he had 3 spots lol). I had no leave left and my husband did so he took holiday to be at home with him and I went to work. Some of my colleagues were shocked and openly critical that I'd come to work ....leaving him in the care of his father.