How can we afford to do this?

[Flightsandfeelings]

Posting for traffic and a hand hold.

Pregnant with first child.
DH on min wage job after being left redundant and once baby is here I will only get SMP. DH looking for other work but not getting anywhere.
Trying hard to get some savings together but I am so scared about how we'll afford to live once I've stopped working. Rent is so expensive, even in the crap town where we live. How does anyone afford to do this?

Have you checked whether you'll be entitled to any benefits once the baby is here?

Have you taken a look at what benefits you will be entitled to?

also do you earn more than your husband? It may be more cost effective for him to take the parental leave.

I dont know how... that might sound silly but how do you even check before you're in the situation to need them?

Go to Citizens Advice and find out what benefits and tax credits you can claim.
Or Entitled To or Turn2us should have online benefits calculators.
And buy your baby stuff 2nd hand!

Do you earn more than your DH? You might have to unfortunately be the one that returns to work and him take the parental leave.

Yes I think after a few months I'll have to go back to work. Such a shame I wanted to fully recover physically but that's just how life is now I suppose.

There are websites which you can use to check your entitlement. ...a pp mentioned them... don't panic just yet.

Babies don't need much in terms of equipment or clothes and you can buy lots second hand.

Is DH doing some training to help him find work/a new career? That's something to do now before the baby comes and you're really busy.

Work as much as you can (particularly DH) before the baby comes to build up some savings. Take a second job/work overtime if possible.

Re-evaluate all your bills and make sure you're getting the best value on gas/electric/insurance etc. Look for places to makes savings on things like TV subscriptions/other subscriptions.

Thank you. The benefits calculators say were not entitled to anything other than SMP so that's probably a dead end. Will be doing a lot of secondhand/free cycle stuff. Scary how expensive everything is and just things at the moment.

You've all been kind thank you.

Congrats!

I don't know about benefits etc, but look at ways to cut the costs whilst pregnant and once baby comes along. I bought this book from ebay years ago when I was 1st pregnant. The tips seemed logical and useful- what you should buy new, what you can buy 2nd hand, how to amend existing clothes to make them maternity etc. Unfortunately, I never got to use it, and there are likely much newer versions, but keep an eye out for similar.

What did your husband do before being made redundant?

Has he spoken with recruitment specialists?

Has he a good handle on his skill set, transferable skills etc?

Is his CV the best it can be?

Does he need to brush up on interview skills etc?

What have the rest of his colleagues done since? Are there more vacancies where they've moved to?

Does he speak to and did he get along with his former boss? Could he recommend him to someone else in the same sector?

It's actually great that he went a good a job rather than waiting for a perfect job. Check your benefit entitlements and then try come up with a plan that works - it may not be that bad.

Perhaps they mean just that while you're pregnant? Sorry I'm not an expert...once the baby is born, that might change...there's child benefit for a start.

When you did the online benefits calculator, did you put in future dates etc, i.e. baby not born yet
or did you ' pretend ' baby was born yesterday and you are receiving x amount of SMP ?

Are you renting or do you have a mortgage?

If renting you should be entitled to some housing benefit, if not you can ask for a mortgage break, it wouldn't be for long, but enough to take a bit of pressure off.

This. You need to try out some hypothetical situations. I’m sure you’ll be entitled to more than you think.

It might be worth applying when you go on SMP OP.
We received UC when we had two children in nursery - DH on min wage job and me 2 days as a teacher. We have a mortgage so if you’ve got rent to pay UC help with that too. There’s some really good Facebook groups who can help you work out entitlement too.

entitledto.co.uk

put in as your baby is here t will give you some idea of whatyou can get

www.entitledto.co.uk

Honestly baby stuff isn't expensive. It's mostly free.

Most areas have a local Facebook group for families where things are given away free. Prams, cots, sleeping bags etc... just ask.

I had twins and it hardly cost me anything. With two I earned £20 after childcare and petrol when I went back to work so knew I had to be super frugal!

you may be eligible for Universal credit now. If on minimum wage with rent you will almost certainly be eligible when baby born..

www.entitledto.co.uk

@Picklechicken

That's it, that's the word I was actually thinking of rather than ' pretend ' - hypothetical. Thank you.

I know barely anyone who has new items for their under 5s. The second hand (free and buying) market is full of stuff.

Start looking now and stocking up.

I think that I have spent less than £200 for my under 2 (other than nappies) and food!

Look at:

Freecycle
Olio
Trash nothing
Gumtree freebies
Facebook marketplace free section
Baby banks- most counties have at least 3 or 4, often ran by churches and free items, no questions asked
Vinted - bundles of stuff for £3
Car boot sales - bargains in the last hour as people desperate to not take stuff back

You can also use Olio for food to lower your bills.

Good luck!

Consider going back to work after 6 months rather than a year. When my DC were born (many years ago!) it was maximum 6 months mat leave. My DC were fine starting with a childminder at that age. In fact my sister had much more trouble with her DC as they are younger and she benefitted from 12 months mat leave. Many babies are more clingy at 12 months than 6 months.

Also, can your DH do evening work and look after baby during the day? That way you won't have childcare costs. Assuming you earn more than he does. If he's only earning minimum wage he might as well do evening shifts in a pub or hotel.

And as others have said, make use of free sites on FB and use Vinted or eBay to buy and sell.

Are you a particularly high earner?
It's really worth putting in a universal credit claim especially for once you are on maternity leave. My husband and I got help when on maternity leave and he was on just above minimum wage. Even if you aren't entitled to anything now if you have the claim up and running then when baby arrives and income drops you only to do a change of circumstances rather than waiting the whole 6 week assessment period. Amount awarded is adjusted based on earnings within a 4 week assessment period, so if entitled you will get more from universal credit when you drop from the 90% of earnings SMP to the standard allowance.
Wishing you the best of luck and congratulations ♥️

Have you put your predicted circumstances into the benefit calculator, not your current ones? Just put baby's DOB as today's date.