How to afford a child as a single parent?

[spookybird]

My friend is pregnant, but concerned she’ll be raising the baby by herself. She’s got a flat & mortgage, and a good job but is concerned how she’ll be able to afford to bring the baby up.
Any tips or advice for her would be very much appreciated - thankyou

I’d use eBay or auction sites. A lot of newborn and smaller babies toys, nursery items and clothes are new, hardly worn or used as they grow out of them so fast! Even as they get older there are real bargains to be had from high street to designer.
Invest in longer term items so do research around what items or toys/ clothes will last the longest and have most versatility. Get a basic wardrobe for little one they only need essentials like sleepsuits and vests initially. Lookout for baby events and join as many online clubs as possible- boots, bounty, Emmas diary, cow and gate etc etc. Even if you don’t use their products you get freebies and vouchers.
Research pram systems which will suit her the most and last longest; personally I got mine from precious little one as it had about £300 off and was a three in one.
Use cashback websites such as Topcashback or Quidco to get money back on online purchases. You Even get cashback on eBay and can get a lot back. They’re easy enough to use.
Check and swap all utilities even down to phone contracts and save as much as possible whilst still working and spread it out over the months when maternity pay kicks in.
Depending on the area she is she could use local baby groups for social interaction and way for playing without having so many toys at home. Google free activities and groups in the area for things to do to get out and about.
That’s about as much as I can think of at the moment but I’ll keep an eye on the thread as I’d be interested in any other helpful hints

thanks!
Really interested in others experiences - especially when working!

The biggest headache (and cost) is childcare when she returns to work. Look into tax credits and the childcare vouchers scheme - get as clued up as she can on it. Starting looking around fairly soonish at childminders and nurseries as the best ones will have waiting lists.

Yep that’s what she’s particularly worried about - it just doesn’t seem possible at the moment for her to work and afford childcare... but she has to work to pay her mortgage!

Definitely look at childcare voucher scheme and weigh up nursery v childminder. I don’t go back to work until next summer but all the nursery’s here are already full with waiting lists. Does she have any family to help or friends that she can ask?
I know a few of my colleagues have said that actually going part time or fewer hours has worked out the same financially when taking into account childcare costs 😕

When i went back to work from maternity leave i managed to have one day a week annual leave to save on childcare costs.

Can her parents perhaps help with childcare?

Could she renegotiate her mortgage to try to lower her monthly repayments ? Ideally with a lower interest rate or by extending the term.
She needs to save now and try to get as much second hand baby stuff as possible.
Bulk buying things like nappies helps to reduce costs.

We could certainly help a bit with childcare but there’s no one else around unfortunately. Renegotiating the mortgage is a good idea we didn’t think of that

It is hard but doable. I dressed ds and myself in second hand for a few years and was so careful with budgeting every expense when I was paying through the nose for childcare. I also adjusted my working hours so I worked every Saturday and had a day off mid week so it was one less day child care. His dad had him on the Saturday. She needs to remember the dad is just as responsible for childcare as she is.

Budget well and live a bit of a stingy life but remember that at 2.5 years old the goverment fund 15 hours a week and then they go to school at 4 or 5 so it will get easier. Its all worth it in the end and it teaches children to be grateful etc. Wishing her well

Also just a thought and without wanting to pry as such but will she get any child maintenance from the father? Perhaps a visit to dwp to ask about any benefits. She might be entitled to more than she realises depending on her income and chase for
CSA?
There’s also a lone parent section on mumsnet, they may have more examples of what she can expect or what she can do? X

Like EmsDods - my first thought was that, even if she and the baby's father aren't going to make a go of it, he still has a financial responsibility to support with costs.