Did you spend more or less money than you thought whilst on maternity leave?

[Mahon3]

I’m just wondering about this. I’m a huge forward planner so baby has all clothes she could need right up to 3-6 months, plus vests and sleepsuits right up to 12 months. We have bought all the big ticket items including next stage car seat and high chair, and compact stroller for use on holidays / after she’s outgrown the travel system.

My maternity pay isn’t the best, especially after several months, so our household disposable income will drop loads. I’ve spent most my pregnancy thinking money will be very tight, but is this definitely the case for everyone?

I’ve just realised I will lose commuting costs, I’ll be able to cook more from scratch, we’ll have child benefit and I can sell her outgrown clothes on Vinted. I hope to breastfeed so fingers crossed no formula costs. Not to mention she will be tiny throughout wintertime so I can’t imagine we will want to be out the house loads.

Did you find your outgoings increased when you were on maternity or did you actually spend less than you were expecting?

I spent less. But dont buy any more stuff. You don't have to buy new and its easy to pick up stuff for babies.

Oh 100%, just got the bits I thought we’d want/need and use now whilst I’m on full pay.

Also spent less.
The most expensive thing was the odd baby class I signed up to which was about £70. Buy clothes from the supermarkets or from Vinted for the baby as they grow out of them so quickly anyway.

More. I had a winter baby, but really wanted to get out of the house and into the fresh air. Also wanted to make the most of being able to eat out so went for quite a few fancy meals (so easy when they just sleep and feed all the time!).

You can obviously do things very cheaply, we just fancied treating ourselves.

Probably depends a lot on what you used to do pre baby

We saved a lot because we used to go out a lot and then obviously didn't so much with the baby

I spent less. I had nearly all of our emergency fund I saved for mat leave by the end of it. We adjusted disposable income to mostly live on husband's salary.

I spent less, but I have covid to thank for that 😂😅

Spent more as went for walks to coffee shops most days with friends, or baby classes which are £10ish a session so that quickly adds up. If i didn't hwve anything planned i'd o for a walk around a shopping centre and spend money.

I knew i would spend more though and was fien with it as wanted to enjoy my 8 months off work

I second not buying more stuff, cause babies have a way of making fools of your expectations.

Have you got a slow cooker? That makes a big difference to cooking from scratch.

I had the appetite of a medium sized lion whilst breastfeeding, so I'm pretty sure it cost the same as formula.

Wasn't a fan of baby classes until swimming at 6m, so went to as hoc sessions and lunches.

I made about £300 per month matched betting when he was napping.

More because I would go on a walk and pop to a coffee shop then have lunch. I could have done it cheaper for sure but I craved being out and in the real world at times. I found being at home boring at times.