What do you think being 'financially stable' is?

[SpaceSharkTea]

As to not drip feed, I'm currently pregnant with DC1 and am feeling slightly concerned about finances. We aren't rolling in it but between DH and I's salary we live comfortably. My job only pays SMP and so will just cover my share of the mortgage and towards my car payment. DH salary will make up the rest and do the food shops and essentials.

My DPs think this means we aren't financially stable and should have really thought about the implications of getting pregnant without any substantial savings to fall back on.

So now I am questioning what being financially stable really is? And surely it's subjective to lifestyle? Hormones aren't helping and now I worry I've really been very blasé over finances

You sound totally fine to me. Mortgage small enough to cover half from Smp, and enough salary from DH to make ends meet. That’s pretty good. You’ll just need to go back to work in due course, like almost everyone does.

I’d want enough to cover everything on one salary should one fall ill plus a safety net of savings. Childcare is expensive and so many fail to even calculate the costs of it before having children and then seem surprised when babies aren’t free.

To me finically stable would mean enough savings that you could cover a minimum of 6 months living expenses, even with you on maternity, should your DP lose his job for any reason and also being able to cover all the basics like mortgage, bills, food shop, childcare without having to really think about it. That said, a lot of people aren’t in that position and you’ll be ok, even if it means going back to work a bit sooner and not having a full year off with the baby. You do just what most people do and muddle through. Congratulations on your pregnancy!