How do you manage?

[Stickyplum]

Hello, I am 12 weeks pregnant and trying to save like mad for when the little one arrives. I am just a bit concerned about how we will manage financially when maternity pay is so poor. I have a good job and so does my husband but without 1 of the wages coming in each month it is going to be a struggle. I dont think we earn low enough to get any help in benefits at all but i have worked out we would only have a couple of hundred a mth spare for petrol, food necesseties etc. I am not fully aware of how you know about benefits etc but just wondered how any of you manage? xx

I share your pain, I am not great with benefits either but I no we all get money for each child born until they are 16 (i think) that is a given.But if you type into google child tax credits it should come up with some answers.

I think you can see if you are entitled now for benefits by filling in forms on line.I should be an expert but my dh deals with the money as I am not that good so don't take that much of an interest.

But it is hard, we have had to change things like where we shop, and cut down on certain things.It is very hard work though, my dh plans everything penny by penny.Shame as we have to account for everything but then I would rather pay the bills and have to stop in than have no home.

Sorry not a great help but read it and did not want to run off without an answer oh and good luck with everything.

Thanks for your reply. It just pains me as i want to spend my full maternity with my baby but not having the same money coming in will hit us really hard.

I've just gone back to work after 11 months maternity leave. It was very very hard towards the end. I'd saved £5000 (didn't really go out or do much wilst pregnant, too poorly/fat/pissed off) to cover mortgage, car loan, bills so I did have money right up until the end but I'm utterly skint now and playing catch up, plus we now have nursery bill to pay.
Once I went onto stat mat money, it wasn't much at all. Luckily it was summer and we just walked a lot, went to the park, in the garden etc.
I had a good clearout and ebayed loads of stuff once just before baby arrived and once during mat leave - I had the time to sort clothes, package up, walk with pram to post office - made £500 doing this.

unfortunately it's just something that you have to live with. I only got stat maternity pay, when I had dd (she's 6 1/2) I only got 6 weeks at 90% pay and then 4 1/2 months at £100ish a week. It was very hard but, well, not much that can be done! By the time I had ds stat maternity had been increased to 9 months paid and 3 months not paid but again after the paid element stopped I just went back to work.

It is hard though. Infact we aren't coping at all really with my reduced pay (I went part time when I had dc) and luckily for us we're coming to the point where our youngest will start school in Sept so I can work more and childcare will be less, only because of my type of job and the fact I can work school hours and won't need wrap around care. We will try and swap care/beg for school hol care! I really can't wait as the last 7 years has financially been very tough.

I have just gone back after 12 months mat leave. I also sold on ebay made enough to cover mortgage for the last 3 months with no mat pay at all.

Also stocked up on big things like toiletries, soap powder, even nappies etc before my wages stopped.
I also spent less as reduced petrol, little wastage on food and reduced nursery fees as I cut her days. I focused on the fact that I could catch up/ pay of credit card when I went back to work, which I have.

Please remember that babies really don't need £700 prams and matching nursery furniture, nor do they need lots of fancy outfits, although it is fun shopping for them!
Do not delay in sending of for family allowance as there is a limit to the time they will backdate.

I went back after 6 months with first child and loved having the extra with this one.

Good luck

I would work out first of all whether you can afford the full maternity leave, or whether taking the additional unpaid part is going to push you over the brink. You may feel you want the maximum time off, but if you're worried sick about managing, you won't enjoy the time at home anyway. If you decide to take it then cut back like mad and save, as others have suggested, so you have a buffer. It's sensible to start thinking in terms of cutting back anyway, as with childcare, you'll have less money to live on anyway even when you're back at work. It's a tough time, but the key is to be really organised and know where every penny is going. Don't be tempted to buy expensive stuff for the baby either- borrow as much as poss, and buy 2nd hand for items which are safe to do that

If you have been reliable with your mortgage they will offer mortgage holiday 1-3 months would make a difference.
Be careful what you buy for baby, v easy to buy everything but not use it. Lots can be bought second hand oruch cheaper than 'labels'
Make loads of meals in advance & freeze to avoid the takeaway temptation at the start

Look up moneysavingexpert.com for all you need to know about saving money on all aspects of your budget.

I also stocked up on toileteries,nappies,dried goods etc. A little every week goes a long way. Look at doing an online shop for groceries, the above site has a forum where discount codes are always posted (£10 off £50 Tesco, £15 off at Ocado).

Good luck!!