Penny Pincher!

[Dizzylizzie29]

So I am trying to prepare for the inevitable stat pay. I am thankfully on a much better position that I was with DD1 having paid off some debt but it's still a big drop.
I have spent the last month or so reducing our household bills- switching gas/elec, lowering contracted phones, finding excellent car insurance quotes and taking them! I have made an effort to go through quidco for what I can, it normally takes ages for cash back which may be an advantage (can't spend it!) although I am not relying on that as sometimes it doesn't come through. I also having been looking for items to stock up on to reduce the monthly shop such as shampoo, conditioner, comforter etc. All things that have been reduced or on offer and are now in the loft. I plan to do some ebay /gumtree selling on mat leave. Any other frugal ideas?
I had big dreams of mat leave first time around-I was thinking lunching, coffee shops etc. In reality we were skint. It did mean we did lots of other things- church playgroups, walks etc but would like a little leeway this time where I am not so worried.

Oh I have also been paying into childcare voucher scheme since finding out which is going to be my cushion if DD needs another morning at nursery or we just pay the monthly fees out of there to free up the cash.That balance iS looking really healthy and is something I am so pleased I did. Barely notice it going now!

There is a great blog called "A thrifty Mrs" (can't link as on phone). Loads of great ideas. She's based in UK (Manchester) so all her ideas work here unlike some American sites.

OP I am in the same position. Last time round we were broke and it was a real struggle. Things I have been doing this time to get ready are :

• took on overtime at work then saved the difference

-went through bills and tried to get as many either cheaper or paid off as possible. So for example changed car insurance and paid for the year rather than monthly DD

• set up at sainsburys savings account. Everytime I shop in there I round up my shopping to the nearest tenner and the difference goes in the savings account. Soon adds up
• eBay anything and everything. Had loads of old textbooks, shoes and general stuff that I have sold.
• went through the baby clothes from DS and anything I know I will not be using this time round have sold ( denim jeans on a 2 month old ? Didn't happen last time not happening this time so sold!)
• been really careful with utilities so have built up credit with British gas. Baby is due in January so want to be able to have the heating on and not worry about the cost.
• sold a lot of books on amazon
• the usual meal planning etc y get our food bill down.
• same as you, have used cash back sites and that will also go towards savings.
• also went through all bills that will come up when on mat leave. MOT etc so no nasty surprise (fingers crossed)
• stocked up on 3 for 2's

You have probably though of a lot of what I have written but these are just some things I have been doing in an effort to be more prepared this time round! Good luck

There is a great blog called "A thrifty Mrs" (can't link as on phone). Loads of great ideas. She's based in UK (Manchester) so all her ideas work here unlike some American sites.

I love that blog. I definitely recommend reading it. This lady has a lot of common sense and I can safely say she's helped me run our household much better!

also went through all bills that will come up when on mat leave. MOT etc so no nasty surprise (fingers crossed)

That's the one thing that worries me. The car. I simply do not know how much to set aside...

DH and I have never been big savers but we do not have debts. We are now saving like mad because we realise there are a few things we need to get done in the house before PFB is born! We do like living on the edge, leaving things to the last minute...

www.athriftymrs.com/

Great ideas! Thanks guys, I will also look for the blog.
We also moved the child benefit to a savings account which is to be used as birthday/Christmas money for the kids x

Paying for everything with a credit card that gives you a reward, as long as you pay it off in full each month.

www.moneysavingexpert.com/credit-cards/credit-card-special-offers

www.moneysavingexpert.com/credit-cards/cashback-credit-cards

Get a credit card with 0% interest for 18 months plus, you only have to pay off the minimum payment each month but you do need to save the money that you have spent so you can clear the debt in full before the end date!

www.moneysavingexpert.com/credit-cards/best-0-credit-cards

Save in a high interest current account. LLoyds or Santander offer good rates!

www.moneysavingexpert.com/banking/compare-best-bank-accounts

Hope you don't mind me following this post dc no. 2 is also due in january and like op I had big ideas of what my first maternity leave wud b like but we also were skint I got so down about it I went back to work after 6 months. We stocked up on nappies wipes cream and nappy bags also maternity towels and breast pads which was great. Hoping this time round will be better both cars r paid off and dh is in a better paid job. I feel a bit more prepared for what's to come this time

OP it's good that you're in the childcare voucher scheme at work. I believe you're entitled to continue while on maternity leave, but as they can't take the money from your stat pay, your employer has to pay your contributions

The best way to economise is to question every penny. Yes reduce your bills, yes walk rather than drive, but honestly, I think the pennies and pounds really add up. I somehow spent £50 in Waitrose today. If i'd gone to asda and been more careful I bet I could've got in and out for £20!

I somehow spent £50 in Waitrose today. If i'd gone to asda and been more careful I bet I could've got in and out for £20!

I think many people are guilty of that. We are lucky enough not to have to pinch every penny so we take the easy way and do a big shop in Sainsbury's, without a meal plan and we end up paying over the odds and having to top up with missing items throughout the week.

If we were a bit more organised, we could go to Aldi and save 1/3 of our food bill!

OP it's good that you're in the childcare voucher scheme at work. I believe you're entitled to continue while on maternity leave, but as they can't take the money from your stat pay, your employer has to pay your contributions

I did not even know that you could start paying in before the birth of your child! My employer doesn't offer them but DH's does! I will get him to call HR!!!

I think you sound pretty sorted!

meal planning - this means we know what we're eating so less food waste. Also buy and freeze meat and fish when it's on offer. (tesco who chickens are half price right now!)

tesco clubcard points - double these up and use to pay for days and meals out. We've used them for local farm park, science centre, lots of chain eateries. Also doubled up on toys which got us all of ds birthday presents.

Go to places during the week whilst on mat leave and take advantage of offers that aren't on at the weekend.

Set a weekly/monthly treat budget so you feel you can have the odd coffee or lunch out.

Washable everything- breastpads, wet wipes, nappies, microfibre cleaning cloths....

Annbag not all freecycle are so good ours is soooooo many wanted posts and rarely a give away.

One money saving tip is batch cook and have meals in freezer as will prevent takeaways even if need to do a side of garlic bread or veggies or the pasta to go with Bolognese.

Some brilliant ideas on here- will keep me busy for the last tri!I need to look into washables, not nappies they didn't work out for me last time but certainly breast pads etc.

I have also started a little jar that I put £1 and £2 coins in, I plan to use this for playgroups when the time comes- when I draw out notes I tend to spend the whole lot, quick nip to the shop after playgroup and buy crap I don't need... Also looking at the classes I may want to attend such as sensory/sing etc and the cost of these.
Keep them coming, we are trying to plan and learn to readjust and most importantly live by our means

I spend £14 a month on nappies, from Lidl. They are so good, Ive tried all the big brands and these are by far the best, Aldi are equally as fab, but no Aldi close enough.

44 nappies for £4.50 - Im proud of myself everytime I get one out of the packet

Oh yes, I lovely Aldi nappies. That said, DD's bottom appears to be tough as old boots, as she only has 3-4 clean nappies on per day and she's fine. I'm probably saving money there via benign neglect

Re: classes, I really like Baby Sensory but leave it until about 5 months. Before then there's often heap/free stuff on at the children's centre where you can meet other mums.

dizzy i'll be snatching some ideas from your thread! Am on constant money-watch. There are some general ideas on the money - credit crunch forum here too, you've probably seen it. Good luck!

I love a bargain and recently purchased a breast pump from Amazon for £10 instead of 30 (tommee tippee) and a 4ft something body pillow which was £6 including delivery. Got some nice maternity tops from H &M for £4 each this week too. Definitely a big advocate for batch cooking, I tend to make a huge pan of something once a week that does at least 2-3 week day teas. I often bulk out mince with quorn and no one notices. I do my weekly big shop on line, this stops me buying impulse items and we actually stick to the meal plan that I put together. We walk more than drive. It's not like we are skint, I just love a good deal. I bought a nappy bag last week from a charity shop for £3.50. It is as good as new and costs £30 from Mother care. There are so many simple ways to save money.