Pregnant but have debts - need advice on saving vs repaying please!

redlighthouse

clairebeth said:

For wipes, they don't recommend you use chemical baby wipes when they are first born anyway.  Instead you can get those cotton makeup remover pads and use with water, so you could stock up on a few packs of those. 

Ooh, I actually use organic cotton makeup wipes for me and I have loads of them, so that's very useful to know, thanks!

ladyholly

Have you taken childcare costs into account when you return to work or do you have someone who will do it for you.

monetxchange

Good people to target are friends that are resolutely done having kids - my best friend gave away all her baby stuff when she said no more. People kept telling her to keep hold of it just in case, but she hated the thought of it rotting away in the garage and much preffered to give it to someone who'd get the use of it. Sure you'll have lots of things offered to you!

One thing - have you had a think of what you'll require in terms of childcare when you return to work? It can be hardgoing if you don't have family close. It's one area I'd definitely over budget and over save for.

redlighthouse

Childcare is the elephant in the room - I've been looking into it and have had a reliable family member offer two days a week, meaning I still need to work out if I can afford to only work two days and pay no childcare at all, or if it's worth working three days and paying for a local childminder for the extra day. However, I'm waiting for a scan to confirm whether it's a single baby or twins. If it's the latter, then I'd have to come at things from a completely different perspective. I have a week before I'll know, but I want to be sure I have all my options in mind first.

Galloglass

Any contribution from the other parent? Any likelihood?
https://www.gov.uk/calculate-child-maintenance

redlighthouse

Galloglass said:

Any contribution from the other parent? Any likelihood?

Nope, none. 

monetxchange

Might be sensitive, but child maintenance is a legal requirement that you’re entitled to. It would help you a lot and doesn’t necessarily have to entail coming to a friendly agreement/having a relationship with the other parent at all.

Would you feel annoyed if you’d struggled unnecessarily for years and the other parent decided they wanted contact later in life, effectively getting a child brought up for free and then enjoying the benefits?

Something to consider if you can face it.

Unicorn_cottage

I echo monetxchange regarding child maintenance but obviously don't want to push the issue as we don't know the full story.
My one bit of advice would be to start buying, when you are bit further down the line, 2nd hand bits and bits for the baby like cot & pram etc. Prams especially are ridiculously expensive so you can deffo make some savings there.

redlighthouse

Unicorn_cottage said:

My one bit of advice would be to start buying, when you are bit further down the line, 2nd hand bits and bits for the baby like cot & pram etc. Prams especially are ridiculously expensive so you can deffo make some savings there.

Thanks to both you and monetxchange - it's a bit complicated, but something I'm prepared to just get on with.

I've actually been offered a friend's old pram which was stupidly expensive new (I'll never understand spending that much but I'm grateful nonetheless!), and I've been looking at Gumtree etc for other bits. I'm trying to look at as many "things you'll need for baby" lists as I can, as so many people have said that most stuff isn't strictly necessary, and one of my friends said the only brand new thing she bought was a car seat, so fingers crossed I'm that savvy... 

Unicorn_cottage

I don't think people are using Gumtree as much anymore and have turned to Facebook instead. That's great about the offer of the pram. Best of luck with squirrelling away the rest