Want to start a family but have Money Worries!

happytails

We want to start a family but money would be tight. We'd not be able to get a mortgage for a long time as id be a SAHM. Though really think we should try and if we get preg we got 9 months to get on property ladder. I dont mind second hand, actually i prefer it and i love a bargain .

Hopefully house prices will drop and we can get a mortgage and get a nice 3 bed semi before a baby arrives :rolleyes::rolleyes: one can only dream

MRS_TO_BE_2

Babies are wonderful but can add stress to any relationship no matter how strong. With the extra pressure of debts it can take the shine of what should be a fantastic experience. Clear as much debt as you can. Really live like paupers for a couple of months and hopefully you will be able to clear more debt then start trying.

As for baby items check out the thread entitled what i brought for baby and didn't need. sorry can't do links but contains some useful points.

good luck

jak

We tried for 11 months before getting pregnant and it
has been a struggle to pay off our debts whilst i've been pregnant. I'm happy to say that we should be able to clear the last of our debts 2 weeks before the baby is born!
There is no greater motivator than a baby on the way. My perspective has completely changed and it was much easier and quicker than I thought when I eventually knuckled down and got on with it.
We struggled to concieve, as I said, and I had 2 previous miscarriages and an ectopic pregnancy so I would always recommend trying as soon as you can. I would also suggest that you make life style changes such as stop smoking, cut right down on beer etc. and take antinatal vitamins for at least 3 months before 'trying' (You and your OH- he can take vits too!)- we did this on the advice of our doctor and some very good books and this baby is the first I've managed to hang on to! He is SO special.
Good luck and I hope it all works out for you!
J
X

jak

Oh and if you tell people you don't mind second hand stuff- people will throw it your way!! WE've spent £40 on baby stuff and to be honest we didn't even need to spend that!
J
X

Staciep88

Thank you everyone for your replies. I have bought most of the clothes a baby would need in the first 3 months all for £18.50, its seconds yes but still a bargain! We have discussed this issue now and the first thing im going to do is switch the 2 c/cards to a 0% card as its the interest thats keeping this ongoing. One the highest card the min payment is £88 but the interest is £86 - lol what a joke. So thats what I'm going to do in a sec. we sat down last night and we work out according to balance and interest and what can be payed off each month affordably that the debt should be cleared by July 09 which isnt so bad - then again if i can find a 0% card then this can hopefully be halved!

Stacey x

dholtuk2

I dont see a problem with trying for a baby now. You are probably in a better position than a lot of people with children, and like someone else has already said, they dont cost too much in the first few years anyway. If you were to breastfeed then that would be a saving, plus you could try re-usable nappies and stuff off ebay etc. The big expense with children comes when they get older and more demanding. If you and your partner usually go out alot you will probably find you will save money initially as you wont have the same opportunities to go out spending money. Its good fun just going out for walks and to parks etc with children which doesn't cost anything.
I would go for it personally. We had outstanding debt when we had children and still have now but we cope and are very happy. Our children have everything they need and are also very happy.
Good luck

Hell_Dans_Un_Handcart

It depends very much on your situation.

The most expensive aspect of having children is the income drop when you go on maternity leave, and then there's paying for childcare or giving up work entirely. I gave up for lots of reasons, but one factor that we'd only be about £100 a month better off if I worked, after childcare!

Find out what sort of maternity package your company offers, whether you can have childcare vouchers, how much childcare costs in your area. Work out what you can afford to live on. Think about the future; child benefit covers nappies etc, but expensive items like car seats and first shoes are not advisable to buy second hand.

Consider how many children you'd like - for example, if you'd like a small age gap but still want to work, that means double the cost of childcare. Can you afford that? Would you need a bigger car or house?

Children themselves can be quite cheap - it's everything else that's expensive :rolleyes:

squashy

The first thing that struck me, was what sport of debt is it. Is it currently manageable? Or is it high interest and costing lots to keep going?