Money ☹

[emmalucy27]

Hi I am new to this site, nice to meet you all. I'm looking for some advice and support. I am being induced in two weeks and me and my are split up for a while as im in a mother and baby unit. My big concern is i have made a budget before baby comes and for months have thought we're not going to cope. After we have paid all bills, we are left with £600 a month, do you think we would struggle? I am terrified.

[Ellisandra]

Are you including food in that £600 or not? I assume so.
That's fine! You'll need to be sensible, but it's perfectly doable.
First you need to make sure all your bills are as low as they can be - no expensive SkyTV packages!
And you'll need to keep an eye on your food budget.
But £600 a month really isn't bad.
Check out the moneysavingexpert.com website.

[MyBrilliantDisguise]

Have you included child benefit in that?

[emmalucy27]

Hi £600 is not including but it is including child benefit I've written that aside to pay for baby bits. We don't have any luxuries at home just basic TV. X

[emmalucy27]

Is not including food

[Ellisandra]

So you'll have £680 a month and you don't need to buy food with it.
Are you joking?
That's loads.

[Trying2bgd]

It is doable but you will have to disciplined, plan meals and batch cook to save time and money. Accept offers of second hand baby clothes, honestly they are worn for such a short period that nobody notices. Get bills down, check you are on cheapest electricity, gas and phone/mobile phone tariffs.

Good luck

[emmalucy27]

Thankyou

[emmalucy27]

I am left with 600 a month, child benefit is included in the budget. I can't help but think we're not going to cope, I am in a mother and baby unit struggling with mental health.

[Brittbugs80]

It is doable but you will have to disciplined, plan meals and batch cook to save time and money. Accept offers of second hand baby clothes, honestly they are worn for such a short period that nobody notices. Get bills down, check you are on cheapest electricity, gas and phone/mobile phone tariffs

I should think it is doable £600 I'd what is left AFTER bills and food so essentially, £600 spare.

OP on £600, I think you will be fine. Maybe save some of it for unexpected bills or emergencies so you know you have a safety net.

[AmysTiara]

You'll be fine.

It's more than a lot of people so just work out a budget and stick to it

[NoSquirrels]

After food and all bills, you'll have £600.

That's £138 per week. That's lots, I don't think you'll struggle. Presents, clothes, activities, travel - presumably you'll not be spending lots on nights out or travel to work etc. Unless you can think of a lot of things specific to your circumstances you'd spend money on month to month that aren't bills/food/essentials then you'll be fine.

[IrregularCommentary]

So that's £600 per month disposable income?

I think you'll cope.

[BackforGood]

That's MASSES.
Seriously ? Just for 'spends' ?

[IgnoreMeEveryOtherReindeerDoes]

Not sure of your complete cirrumstances but have you checked to see if you entitled to healthy start vouchers? I am assuming they still do them

[emmalucy27]

Yes that's what we'll have left, I have to go back to work after 9 months to still be getting that much left over. Thankyou for all the comments x

[Ellisandra]

I think we can hold the if OP's MH is poor enough that she's in a mother and baby unit before the baby arrives.

OP, I don't know whether your concern is simply money, or whether you're anxious about coping even if you had more, related to your MH issues.

Have you lived alone / with your boyfriend before? If you've never had to fully budget before, even if you do have enough it could be daunting.

Make sure you are fully aware of anything you're entitled to - maternity grant, tax credits etc. CAB can help, or there may be a staff member at your unit who can send you to the right person.

I promise you that on £600 you'll be fine. You won't even be scrimping and saving.

[MyBrilliantDisguise]

You'll be absolutely fine with that, OP. I hope you're getting good treatment in the mother and baby home and that you feel well soon.

[schoolgaterebel]

You’ll be fine with that, and maybe even be able to save a little each month, having some money set aside will help you feel even more concern.

Hope you are being well looked after, you sound like an organised and careful person and I’m sure you’ll be an excellent mum.

[Leatherboundanddown]

I think that is quite a bit really. You will be fine as long as you are sensible.

[emmalucy27]

Thank you x

[Longdistance]

emmalucy. Yes, that's more than enough. Just make sure you're budgeting each month, you'll be fine

[SonicBoomBoom]

What do you think you will end up spending that £600 on once the baby is here?

Will you get full pay for the first six weeks? If so, I suggest you save the amount over the £600 and get used to living on the £600, then you also have a cushion if you run low one month.

Have you already bought the big baby things? (car seat, Base, pram, cot, etc?)

[emmalucy27]

I don't get paid full pay, and have been given everything to me from my niece.

[emmalucy27]

We are talking about putting the baby into care, as I don't see how we're going to manage. And I know I should have thought about this before.