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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Maternity pay

103 replies

nadiamumoftwo · 17/01/2022 23:03

No but really, how do people afford to go on maternity??! I’m 28 so beginning to think about babies and the future and I just can’t fathom how anyone survives on SMP? I get 3 month full pay (luckily) but after that it’s SMP. I am a teacher in Scotland and all my outgoings as pretty much accounted for. Do people save up for a year before going for it to ensure they have a “wage” for a year?

OP posts:
Original poster
nadiamumoftwo · 17/01/2022 23:05

My username is in reference to my two dogs btw to avoid confusion! I tried to add dogs to the end but it wouldn’t let me Grin I do not have human children (yet) haha

OP posts:
TracyMosby · 17/01/2022 23:05

Do people save up for a year before going for it to ensure they have a “wage” for a year?
Yes. Having children is expensive. Make sure you have savings first.

LIZS · 17/01/2022 23:06

Save up, take the household income not just yours into account, economise. Try a period of living off what your income would be.

Nemorth · 17/01/2022 23:07

If you are doing it with a partner then they have to pay more while you are earning less. On a pro rata basis almost. That helps too.

Shmithecat2 · 17/01/2022 23:08

We waited until we could live comfortably with one wage. Risky strategy but it worked.

MavisMonkey · 17/01/2022 23:09

I got six weeks pay at 90% and so yes I had to save for a year beforehand.
One thing that is helpful is that you can store up holiday whilst you're pregnant, and you accrue holiday whilst on mat leave. I had seven months off- 6 weeks on 90%, then around 4 months in SMP and then around 2 months of banked holiday.

Original poster
nadiamumoftwo · 17/01/2022 23:10

Yes I have a partner, we both earn roughly equal amounts so put equal into joint account. £600 odd maternity wouldn’t cover my half of bills never mind my person outgoings. Better get saving lol. It looks so easy to others who have multiple children, especially close together!

OP posts:
Yotrotro · 17/01/2022 23:10

Yes to saving up and also generally looking at finances seriously with your partner because the cost of the child is not yours alone, so how food etc will work whilst on mat leave and beyond is an important conversation to have sooner rather than later.

Also, have you checked how much nursery costs yet? Scotland you are talking roughly £12k a year FT until funded years kick in ShockGrin

Original poster
nadiamumoftwo · 17/01/2022 23:12

I’m not sure how teacher holidays accrue and the info online is outdated / very limited Angry I’m a secondary teacher in Scotland if that helps anyone give advice?

OP posts:
Pinkchocolate · 17/01/2022 23:12

We waited until we could afford to not need my wage and I went back to work after 8 months when all my payments stopped.

appleturnovers · 17/01/2022 23:13

Yes, I had to save before maternity leave. On the other hand, you don't go out as much with a newborn, so that saves some money Grin. Also it should go without saying (but depressingly sometimes doesn't) that if you are earning significantly less because of the baby then your partner needs to pay some of your bills.

Original poster
nadiamumoftwo · 17/01/2022 23:14

@Yotrotro

Yes to saving up and also generally looking at finances seriously with your partner because the cost of the child is not yours alone, so how food etc will work whilst on mat leave and beyond is an important conversation to have sooner rather than later.

Also, have you checked how much nursery costs yet? Scotland you are talking roughly £12k a year FT until funded years kick in ShockGrin

Seriously how do people manage? My mind is blown at how expensive it all is. May need to put it on the back burner a few years Blush
OP posts:
Hairyfriend · 17/01/2022 23:14

Yes, we waited until were financially stable and had savings before TTC. I've read that its about £8000 a year for a child, but obviously this varies. People always seem to get by, even without much savings, and make do, but I don't know how? Obviously going to charity shops, free childcare from family and returning to work earlier all helps.

I bought this book years ago 'babynomics- money saving tips for savvy parents' when I started TTC. There might be a newer version, because the prices quotes will be out of date, but there were some useful tips on what you can buy 2nd hand and what you should buy new, maternity wear, feeding etc.

qualitygirl · 17/01/2022 23:15

Yes you save! And you combine finances, once you are married or have dc there's no more my half of the bills...it's just bills!Confused

Totalwasteofpaper · 17/01/2022 23:15

I saved and purposefully took a job working for a psychotic arsehole in a company with enhanced maternity.

I still worry a bit about how we will manage but I know we can cover mortgage and won’t go cold or hungry and my “Logic brain” realises I am better off than 90% of people out there and they manage okay…

The real crippling aspect will be childcare. Our nursery will be 25k per year…

JuniorMint · 17/01/2022 23:17

@MavisMonkey

I got six weeks pay at 90% and so yes I had to save for a year beforehand. One thing that is helpful is that you can store up holiday whilst you're pregnant, and you accrue holiday whilst on mat leave. I had seven months off- 6 weeks on 90%, then around 4 months in SMP and then around 2 months of banked holiday.
Teacher holidays don’t accrue on maternity leave. Teacher’s holidays are numerous but immovable.
Original poster
nadiamumoftwo · 17/01/2022 23:20

@qualitygirl

Yes you save! And you combine finances, once you are married or have dc there's no more my half of the bills...it's just bills!Confused
I don’t want to get married and also don’t want to combine finances, I like being independent and having my own income. Under normal circumstances we both transfer our joint account money for household bills (£950 each). My question/point was how on earth anyone manages to live on £600 a month for a long period of time. My partner goes not earn enough to pay my half of our bills as well as his own bills like car / phone etc and day to day living costs. Of course he would pay more during maternity but realistically we need to save up the equivalent or thereabouts of the wages I’ll lose over 8/9 month.
OP posts:
WouldIBeATwat · 17/01/2022 23:25

@MavisMonkey

I got six weeks pay at 90% and so yes I had to save for a year beforehand. One thing that is helpful is that you can store up holiday whilst you're pregnant, and you accrue holiday whilst on mat leave. I had seven months off- 6 weeks on 90%, then around 4 months in SMP and then around 2 months of banked holiday.
Not if you’re a teacher like the OP.
WouldIBeATwat · 17/01/2022 23:27

@nadiamumoftwo

I’m not sure how teacher holidays accrue and the info online is outdated / very limited Angry I’m a secondary teacher in Scotland if that helps anyone give advice?
You don’t accrue leave as a teacher.
roarfeckingroarr · 17/01/2022 23:28

I had 6 months full pay, 3 half and 3 stat. My partner was earning so he covered all bills and we saved up.

ablisha · 17/01/2022 23:30

@nadiamumoftwo

No but really, how do people afford to go on maternity??! I’m 28 so beginning to think about babies and the future and I just can’t fathom how anyone survives on SMP? I get 3 month full pay (luckily) but after that it’s SMP. I am a teacher in Scotland and all my outgoings as pretty much accounted for. Do people save up for a year before going for it to ensure they have a “wage” for a year?
We saved a fair amount but definitely not a years wage. I took 9 months off but was lucky as a teacher and went back in July for a week before having another 6 weeks off for Summer paid, so really gave me 10 months maternity.
Chocomelon · 17/01/2022 23:31

You save

And your partner should be able to help

ablisha · 17/01/2022 23:32

@Totalwasteofpaper

I saved and purposefully took a job working for a psychotic arsehole in a company with enhanced maternity.

I still worry a bit about how we will manage but I know we can cover mortgage and won’t go cold or hungry and my “Logic brain” realises I am better off than 90% of people out there and they manage okay…

The real crippling aspect will be childcare. Our nursery will be 25k per year…

Oh childcare is another level!! I second this comment!!

Not sure how we are going to afford DC2 with DS in nursery. I don't want to wait for him to be older as age is not on my side.

SituationCritical · 17/01/2022 23:32

I had my first at 22. I used savings to cover the amount I would be short each month. We also watched what we spent. Agree that if you don't have any grandparent or family help with childcare that's the shockingly expensive bit...far worse than the maternity pay!

qualitygirl · 17/01/2022 23:32

@nadiamumoftwo do it whatever way you like. But being on mat leave is not a burden for you to bear alone that's all I'm saying.

I work, I'm independent, I have my own money and I'm married and share bills it is possible to do it all at the same time...

But yes in answer to your question...you save. I saved over 6k for my mat leave and my dh saved similar too!