Debt before maternity

SassyS

@enthusiasticsaver We have checked out a local one to us which would be on my way to work.. I'm looking at going back part time 24/25 hours roughly. My mum will have little one x2 shifts a week then x3 half days nursery also.
There is new funded hours coming in from September 2024 (hopefully) which is 15 free hours for age 9 months onwards so we will qualify for this from the new term of January 2025 making our nursery costs roughly £200 a month which is doable. 

When we first found out we were expecting I was only going to take the 9 months payed time off but working it out and having to pay for childcare before we get the free hours there would of been no point in working!
So the amount we have saved will pay for the months I won't get paid - sept 2024, oct 2024 & nov 2024.
I will also go back doing up to 10 KIT days on these 3 months where my mum will have little one for a few hours, so there will be some extra income.
December 2024 will be used as my accrued annual leave then return Jan 2025. 
That's the plan anyway! I have had a discussion with my manager and made her aware of possible plans and she seems quite accommodating so I hope that stays the case but we will wait and see. 

kiss_me_now9

@SassyS how are you doing? x

SassyS

Hi @kiss_me_now9 thank you for checking in! 

Our baby girl was born on 28th November 2023.. 2 days before our scheduled c section (due to reduced growth and placenta issues) my waters broke in bed my partner was a bit shocked haha! But all doing well. She is 9 weeks tomorrow which is crazy!! 

Not too sleep deprived but I’m a coffee drinker now haha 

On the debt front I’ve got my Barclaycard down to £2500 which I’m very proud of. 

My partners Very balance is nearly done, only £200 left on that! 

Our ‘sinking funds’ are looking good across various pots and we will keep topping them up each month so any bits that pop up aren’t a big expense that we cannot afford.  

SassyS

Debt update!! My barclaycard has been paid off with only £35 left on it !!! Feeling amazing and proud of myself. 

Partners very balance has gone as well. 

Now onto his two loans and creating more savings! 

Our little one is 5 months tomorrow. I’m soaking up every moment it’s all so precious 

enthusiasticsaver

Well done. Great achievement.

kiss_me_now9

Wow, amazing work! Well done!  

Tell me about it. My LO is 15 months nearly now 

Stateofart

kiss_me_now9 said:

I would also start talking to your OH about what his plans are for golf/football. I'm lucky that my OH only really runs and plays on his computer but I have friends who have OHs who seem to think that they can spend all weekend at the football or on the golf course and when you have a baby that isn't on! We agreed before we had our LO that we'd try and equally share our weekend/evening activities - one night I go to the gym, one night he runs, one Saturday I'll take LO for a walk so he can play some games uninterrupted, on Sunday he'll take LO out for a walk so I have a few hours in the house by myself. 

And avoid the above advice like the plague.  This all too often ends in divorce.  So many partners out there thinking that you have to stop your hobbies when you have children.  Hobbies are V.V important to de-stress and a blanket ban on what makes you happy can build resentment.  Take a balanced approach...all too often I hear the "golf will have to stop/football/practice etc." and it leads to disaster.