Potential future child

teddysmum

xylophone wrote: »

But the clothes don't have to be new?

Indeed. I was all for new only, but was actually grateful when my mother-on-law was given some nearly new clothes for me. I bought lots of items, but babies are messy and the used clothes were fine for general backup.


However, nowadays, mums seem less inclined to accept used, though my daughter-in-law bought bundles of nearly new (some unused) designer items, for a few pounds, on Ebay.

kingfisherblue

teddysmum wrote: »

Indeed. I was all for new only, but was actually grateful when my mother-on-law was given some nearly new clothes for me. I bought lots of items, but babies are messy and the used clothes were fine for general backup.


However, nowadays, mums seem less inclined to accept used, though my daughter-in-law bought bundles of nearly new (some unused) designer items, for a few pounds, on Ebay.

My granddaughter is now two years old, and apart from gifts, has had second hand clothes since birth. As well as Ebay, my daughter enjoys browsing around charity shops - you can get some lovely items for a low cost. I buy my granddaughter clothes for Christmas, but usually in the sales several months before (Nutmeg at morrison's are often reduced to just £1).

But that's slightly off topic.... OP, when I was expecting my children (youngest now 17), I saved half of my wages each month. There were two reasons for this. One was to get some savings behind us for when we needed them. The other was to get used to living on a lower amount each month. Apart from Child Benefit, we didn't claim any benefits (I didn't even know that they might have been available as we were both working, albeit in low paid jobs). Admittedly things changed after my son was born with major disabilities, especially when my (now ex) husband left a few years later. However, when we planned our children, we saved beforehand and we only spent what we earned. I went to car boot sales for toys, blankets, clothes, baby bath, etc. My parents bought the pram. Car seat and mattress were new, although the cot was second hand (out of the paper - no Ebay back then!). It is possible to have a baby fairly cheaply, but kids get more expensive as they grow!

Darksparkle

You'd have best part of 9 months to save before maternity leave unless you're unlucky like me and find out your pregnant at 32 weeks!

To be honest, I personally wouldn't try for a baby unless I could afford it on my own without benefits as they could take these away at any time. I do claim child benefit as we are entitled to it but we could equally go without it. We also have childcare vouchers which again are a huge help however could manage without.

My son has just turned one. My only advice is that expensive doesn't always mean best or the most practical.

As for your original op, entitledto is the best and most straightforward calculator in my opinion.

NYM

:eek: I thought my first pregnancy was short!
Found out I was pregnant at 21 weeks, at 23 weeks scan showed twins and had the boys at 36 weeks...

.

stinabean

Thanks for all the responses!!

Coraline - thank you for your insight. It was truly helpful.

I am not wanting the taxpayer to pay for my spawn (what a nasty little person you are to say this) however I wanted to have a rough idea of what I'd be entitled to for the time that I am on maternity leave. Is it do able, looking at expenses etc. I will be going back to work full time afterwards and am highly aware that childcare is expensive!

Thanks everyone else. I have been saving for a few years and have £5k squirrelled away which I'm sure will be useful, was purely asking as a safety net of sorts

Darksparkle

NYM wrote: »

:eek: I thought my first pregnancy was short!
Found out I was pregnant at 21 weeks, at 23 weeks scan showed twins and had the boys at 36 weeks...

.

Exactly 9 weeks rather than 9 months! :rotfl:

NYM

Ignore Coraline. S/he is just a troll.

As for what you might be entitled to whilst on Maternity Leave...

Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP) is paid for up to 39 weeks. You get:

90% of your average weekly earnings (before tax) for the first 6 weeks
£140.98 or 90% of your average weekly earnings (whichever is lower) for the next 33 weeks
SMP is paid in the same way as your wages (for example monthly or weekly). Tax and National Insurance will be deducted.

Maternity Pay

teddysmum

Darksparkle wrote: »

Exactly 9 weeks rather than 9 months! :rotfl:

You hear tales of women giving birth after not knowing they were pregnant, but a lady who child minded my elder son had about four weeks' notice.


She was quite a large lady, so no obvious bulge and she'd experienced rumbling 'wind' for years. Her two daughters were nearing the end of primary school years...so quite a surprise (a boy, too).

DigForVictory

If you've 5K saved, you're financially very well equipped to start out on parenthood - Just Try Not To Buy New. (Other than car seats.)

Invest instead in storage - and as you acquire and/or are given clothes of a not yet size, you have a Designated Place for them. Then, unless you plan to have siblings in relatively short order (get more use from all the kit that way!), as things are outgrown, you have a Designated Space of stuff to move on.
A sort of piggy bank - which you can cash in or exchange. Toys, bedding, books (even) as well as clothes - welcome it all and be ready to move it along ruthlessly as you need the space!
Wishing you all the very best!