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Original poster

If you were given £2000 in this situation, how would you use it?

39 replies

bouncerounce · 18/05/2025 20:09

I am midway through my maternity leave and a lovely relative has really generously offered £2000 to support us during this time. My pay will drop off soon.

I’m not sure whether to use it to top up statutory pay and have an extra £500 each month on average, or scrimp on statutory pay (maybe add £100 to it each month from the 2k) and take a couple of additional very frugal months off - this would be unpaid leave from work and would mean returning around baby’s first birthday rather than 10 months.

What would you do? Returning PT 3 days a week anyway, but using AL to phase return 2 days a week for a few months, so I am being eased back in. It’s whether I take the extra time entirely off but it be tighter or be able to do a few more days out and have treats over the SMP months.

I have to decide soon as will need to let work know what to do with my leave

OP posts:
Original poster
bouncerounce · 18/05/2025 20:20

I think I don’t want to underestimate the cost of living, but equally I don’t feel anywhere near ready to return to work in just several months.

OP posts:
UnbeatenMum · 18/05/2025 20:26

I think I would probably take as long as I could. What does very frugal look like for you though? Do you have savings in case of emergency?

Original poster
bouncerounce · 18/05/2025 20:28

UnbeatenMum · 18/05/2025 20:26

I think I would probably take as long as I could. What does very frugal look like for you though? Do you have savings in case of emergency?

I forgot that was so subjective. Probs few or no takeaways and much stricter food budget - we already shop cheaply but probably even cheaper.

OP posts:

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KarCat · 18/05/2025 20:29

My baby is now 20 and at university
In your situation, absolutely take the extra 2 months.
The baby days go by extraordinarily quickly!

Xmasbaby11 · 18/05/2025 20:33

What a lovely dilemma. I would definitely take the extra time. It’s more valuable than extra £500 a month which you don’t need with a baby.

UnbeatenMum · 18/05/2025 20:33

bouncerounce · 18/05/2025 20:28

I forgot that was so subjective. Probs few or no takeaways and much stricter food budget - we already shop cheaply but probably even cheaper.

Show quote history

I would be fine with no takeaways but I would want to be able to get out and do things with my baby - swimming, toddler groups, meet other Mums for coffee, visit my parents etc.

Gundogday · 18/05/2025 20:34

I think being extra tight may be uncomfortable. As you’re only returning part time, I would use it to supplement your everyday living.

Have you spoken to your relative as to how she envisages you spending the money. Ie, for everyday living or for extra treats? She may get upset if she see you fritter it away, or she may go the other way, and get upset if she sees you spending it on luxuries.

Original poster
bouncerounce · 18/05/2025 20:35

Gundogday · 18/05/2025 20:34

I think being extra tight may be uncomfortable. As you’re only returning part time, I would use it to supplement your everyday living.

Have you spoken to your relative as to how she envisages you spending the money. Ie, for everyday living or for extra treats? She may get upset if she see you fritter it away, or she may go the other way, and get upset if she sees you spending it on luxuries.

They have said they aren’t bothered and don’t want us to feel like they would judge, they just want it to help take the strain off in whatever way we think it will. So kind

OP posts:
Brummumm · 18/05/2025 20:36

This is so difficult to say as things change so quickly.
How old is your BB now? Is it your first? What is the childcare plan for when you go back? How far away is your work? Do you get good holidays?

tinyspiny · 18/05/2025 20:37

I would stick the money in savings and carry on with the current plan keeping the cash for emergencies or topping up as needed .

Original poster
bouncerounce · 18/05/2025 20:40

Brummumm · 18/05/2025 20:36

This is so difficult to say as things change so quickly.
How old is your BB now? Is it your first? What is the childcare plan for when you go back? How far away is your work? Do you get good holidays?

Yes it’s our first. 6m. We don’t need paid childcare, I’m off two days and the other 3 days will be covered by DH and grandparents. Work is a good 40-60 min commute depending on traffic and the day. I’ve got a fair bit of annual leave to use so my return can be 2 days at first but paid for 3.

OP posts:
Harassedevictee · 18/05/2025 20:51

Remember if you work some of your KIT days during the unpaid period you maximise your income because of how the tax rules work.

I would take the two extra months then go PT and use AL to work 2 days.

OrangeQualityStreetAreTheBest · 18/05/2025 21:07

I received a (small) inheritance from a grandparent when my youngest was a baby. I used it to give me extra mat leave - was supposed to return at 10 months.

Absolutely no regrets - I originally wanted to buy a nice watch to remember her. But instead she gave me the gift of time with my baby, and I love that it was her gift to us - exactly what she would have wanted.

BatchCookBabe · 18/05/2025 21:12

Ooooh, 2 months more maternity leave! Smile

IbizaToTheNorfolkBroads · 19/05/2025 05:58

More time off.

Jinglejanglenamechanged25 · 19/05/2025 06:06

I took the full year with mine so I would go for that.

MsCactus · 19/05/2025 06:34

I'd take extra months off - but I loved my mat leaves. Some people can't wait to go back to work - so it's up to you!

Woodywoodpecker321 · 19/05/2025 07:05

Take the extra 2 months! It's time with your baby you'll never get back!

Wells37 · 19/05/2025 07:38

I would definitely take the extra time.

Xmasxrackers · 19/05/2025 17:43

Extra time. They aren’t so little for long x

Scotland32 · 19/05/2025 18:23

bouncerounce · 18/05/2025 20:20

I think I don’t want to underestimate the cost of living, but equally I don’t feel anywhere near ready to return to work in just several months.

I would go with the first option. I went back (3 days a week) after mat leave when my daughter was 6 months and was already desperate to go back by then!

SchrodingersTwat2 · 19/05/2025 18:36

I'd take more time.

On another note, I was very taken that our local cinema is doing "baby" showings where you can watch a film with your baby with the lights on low.

For another £180, you could change your bank to Lloyds, get £180 for signing up and get 6 free cinema tickets. (I don't work for them!)

In fact your could change your bank every month for the last 6 months of maternity leave and get £150 or more extra each month.

Twittens · 19/05/2025 18:59

I did take the additional months off with number 2… Number 1 returned at 10 1/2 months… (4 days a week using A/L on Wednesday for 6 months) it was so hard… I was still feeding so barely got any sleep as she moved many feeds into the night time… almost like a newborn again… she was still so little… Number 2 we had some inheritance… used it to cover the unpaid months… added on some A/L and returned when she was 13 months… 4 days a week… the difference was enormous… and I don’t believe it was because it was baby 2… she was just that little bit more independent, and ‘robust’ eating decent amounts of proper food so although still feeding it was additional to her food… we did have to cut back….so it wasn’t an easy choice… but one I would make a million times over… I think I thought because most maternity leave is 9 months that that would be fine… but it’s harsh and hard…

Irishcats · 19/05/2025 19:59

Take the time, you will never get that time again!

Wynter25 · 19/05/2025 20:08

More time x

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