Planning for Children

LuciferTDark

Any plan you have where you spend ANYTHING on yourself you can forget straight away every single penny spare you get will be spent on that baby, you just won't be able to resist doing it. I know I've been there twice

pollyanna24

carolt wrote: »

Think that as from April, maternity benefits will last for 1 year instead of 9 months and are about £110 a month - also, if you've been working, your employer will pay the statuary maternity pay which will include 90% of your current pay for the first 6 weeks (if you've nly been working on and off, you can qualify for Maternity Allowance, which is the same weekly amount as SMP but without the first 6 weeks 90% extra). Also, some (nice) employers will pay you more than the statuary minimum anyway. Google SMP or Maternity Allowance for precise figures and details of what you need to qualify.

Also, sure you could cut some of your other figures too - look at the relevant forums for advice eg groceries (try Old Style board - really helpful), Sky etc.

Thanks everyone. Have just logged on to have a look while cooking dinner. Thanks for everyone's comments. I shall be back on tomorrow morning from 8am (work, yawn!), but just one comment. I thought it was £112 PER WEEK (is it really only per month?!!)

evab_2

Hi Pollyanna,

Good luck with trying, fun part at the mo! DH and I are also currently trying for a baby but number 2 for us.

I agree with the comments made on here already, and you need to get your partner involved and on your wavelength. It's taken ages with mine but it's worth having that support and common goal now.

I definitely echo that £400 pm spends is a huge amount, my dh and I have £40 pm each on ourselves and that's all! With a kid you don't have the money to spend like that and certainly not the time. We have family times out but these are swimming once a week (dd free), if we have a meal out we use a voucher from a survey/cashback site, if we have day trips these are researched and they don't have to cost money!.

I think the main thing is that once that little bundle is in your arms, they are your priority!

Best wishes Eva:D

pollyanna24

Oh my lordie, but I think I have had a breakthrough with bf. We were wandering around the shops today (never usually spend much, but it's something to do of a Sunday), and he said, "You know, if you're serious about having a baby, we'll have to stop this frivilous (sp) spending."

I almost fainted! Teehee. He's the blooming spender, not me!! Wahey, think we are getting somewhere.

mazmack

Statutory maternity pay is £112.75 a WEEK, not month.