Disposable income....?

[Pamelashipman80]

I’ve worked out that when I go back to work, after paying for childcare, bills, and £100 each ‘spending money’ we’ll be left with £200-300 per month, to go off getting rid of the last of the debt and then start saving for a mortgage.

I’m just wondering whether this seems like a ‘normal’ amount to have left over? It just seems like money will be so tight until the baby is in school!!

Sorry if this offends anyone really struggling though, just after thoughts on what other people have x

Does that include food? If so that does seem tight. Is it two adults and a baby? How much do you usually spend per week on food?

I'd say being able to save £200-£300 a month as well as have spending money and cover all bills and other expenses is pretty good going when you have young DC and are having to choose between the cost of either childcare or loss of earnings. Those savings will add up quickly enough.

Oh, I thought you meant after you had paid for everything including food and everything else you needed.

Sorry, yes food is already covered in that! So 100 each is for clothes, food out etc, the 200-300 would be debt/savings (unless the washing machine/car etc breaks 🙄)
If other people are in the same boat and this seems normal then I’m happy enough with it :)

There is no normal. Some people will have less than you, some will have far far more.

As Barbara says others will have more/less than you, so it is best to figure out whether this works for you.

DH and I have a joint account for bills/wages, from which £100 each is transferred into individual accounts each month so that we have spending money for which we are not accountable. We have had this set up for four years, and it has worked well for us so far. I am 37 weeks pregnant with our first child, so yet to figure out if this works on mat leave/with childcare costs.