How much disposable income is comfortable for a family of four in the north west?

[HarleyQuinn21]

Hi all,

I was wondering what people's opinions on this is as we're thinking about a second baby and I overthink everything, at the moment I'd say we were comfortable with one but I don't know how another one would change that dynamic, I don't need to worry about childcare, I'm very lucky in that sense but I was wondering what's okay in the sense of I want to more than just feed and clothes them, like activities and holidays (although when they're little free things are easier to come by, my 3 year old niece loves looking for fairies in the local woods) I say in the north west too as I know it differs region from region well I guess to be fair it differs from person to person, I'm just looking for an average idea. I know it's a bit of a silly question but I'll overthink and overthink until I talk myself out of it (I know things also might be a bit different for some people due to covid but it's just in general).

Thank you

A tenner? I don't know and neither does anyone else because it depends on your income and lifestyle.

Work out how much it would cost per year for the holiday you want and the activities you want to do and then divide it by 12 so you get a monthly figure.

There's a budget planner tool on the Money Advice Service website that's pretty good. It's easy to use and will help you to budget.

If you haven't got any childcare costs, then two kids won't really cost much more than one while they're young. You'll presumably already own most of the expensive stuff a baby will need. Plus you'll get extra child benefit.

Don't know about the north west op but I'm
South west and it's bloody expensive here.

After all bills fuel food etc etc we seem to need a minimum of around £800 a month spare as dc are needing clothes shoes school stuff nee laptop recently etc etc.

Both in now adult sizes so clothes and shoes are more expensive and it's like feeding four average adults so not cheap

How much money is coming in and what are your outgoings? You don’t need childcare which will save a lot. You’ve got presents for their birthdays and Christmas, presents for friends birthdays, clothes, shoes, after school clubs and they get more expensive as they get older (apparently, mine are young!)
BUT you cut your cloth accordingly, so when we had our second we stopped going for as many meals out and cut out unnecessary spending.