saving money on maternity leave

[Xmasbaby11]

Well, I don't mean saving, more like not spending too much! On my maternity leave with DD, I took 9 months off, and had a grand time doing baby activities and spending lots of time and money in cafes with friends. It was fantastic! I am now 18 weeks pregnant with DC2 and would like to take a whole year maternity leave this time. The first 6 months are OK but then my pay drops to statutory and we will definitely be using savings to pay the bills. So I am thinking about how to spend less money this time around.

Can anyone give me advice?

Do classes at the surestart centres - at my local one we did rhythm time and songs & signs, amongst other things, both of these were free but I knew other people who went to the (identical) classes elsewhere and paid upwards of £5 per class for them!

Ikea do free tea and coffee for family card holders, so good for sitting around drinking brews with baby asleep in the pram.

Once you meet some other mums (presume you are likely to do this within the first 6 months) start having play dates at each other's houses, or pram walks (also good for losing the baby weight, and fresh air will help baby sleep!).

I already have mummy friends from previous maternity leave, so I think we will be able to go to each other's houses. I always went on lots of walks before, but somehow they ended up in cafes! It's just a bad habit - nothing to do with having a baby - I just like being out, especially if I'm not with friends, as I like being surrounded by people. We don't have an Ikea nearby but I think there are some playgroups which are very cheap and have free tea and coffee.

I will definitely check out the surestart classes. I'm sure I was paying £4 a class.