Money

[Lozzie124]

Hello, We are considering starting a family as feel weare at a good point in our lives (house and long relationship).

I am worried that we can't afford a baby though. My partner is on £21k a year and I would take Maternity then return to work. Do you know how much we would get whilst I would be on Maternity?

Thanks for your help
Lauren

It depends where you work! I'm entitled to 8 weeks full pay, 18 weeks half pay plus SMP (around £130 pw), 13 weeks SMP, then 13 weeks nil pay (NHS). Could you ask your HR dept? If its a big organisation it may be online.

Check direct.gov.uk for a full explanation of your maternity rights. Your dh will also be entitled to paternity leave - dh will get 1 week full pay, 1 week SMP equivalent.

Thanks for your reply. I only get the minimum so 6 weeks full then SMP so am worried we wont have enough money after this point.

thanks

Start saving now, before you even start TTC.

I put away money for years before I started TTC and it meant I wasn't worried about the reduced income during maternity leave. TBH I had been saving for it before I even met DH

You will still probably have less disposable income after you return to work - childcare expenses and nappies, clothes etc for the baby.

But you never really feel ready for a baby - mentally, financially. And even if you do it's still a massive learning curve