Money issues

[Unicorn234]

I'm a long way off giving birth but I keep thinking of how I'm going to manage when on maternity leave as my money will drop so much.
I'm in a private rented house with my partner and we both work full time.
Does anyone know when the time comes if we will be eligible for any help?

Thanks xx

I'm in the same boat as you but me and hubby both work full time too. I am having my c section tomorrow and have been on maternity the last month, we saved as much a we could so we had extra just in case. Thats all I can advise you to do hun. So it covers your bills etc, we would still have enough on just maternity and DH pay but not enough for spending so we saved for that reason. We aren't your highest earners either so it can be done!

We struggled a few months before we have baby so we benefit when baby is born, just a budget shop and stayed in didn't go out. It has benefited massively. Hope I helped @Unicorn234 😄

@Unicorn234 Do a form, I get Housing Benefit as help, and you will get child tax child benefit as well for your child too. Make sure you register your child as soon as possible to claim this.
You'll also be eligible for working tax credits.
Do an eligibility checker on the gov.uk website and it will tell you what else you are entitled to. Hope this helps

Thanks guys you've both been really helpful 😊 xx

Save as much as you can before the baby is born.

Proper budget and make sure you save as much as you can before baby is born. Also save by getting as much donated baby stuff as possible, you do not need brand new pram etc, look out for boot sales etc. What are your monthly outgoings? Then work out your income before and on maternity leave and it will tell you how much you have to save. Good luck with your baby!

You aren’t eligible for extra benefits during maternity leave - just whatever you get through your work - smp?
You will get child benefit but you are classed as working so benefits are calculated on your salary.

Just want to echo what PP @SandysMam said... we've bought everything second hand... cot £30, change table that converts into book shelves £20, travel system in immaculate condition £100.

I spend a bit of time scouring Facebook marketplace/ local selling sites for cheap bits and bobs. Only thing we will buy new is a car seat.

This is really helping us to save ready for my mat leave in the new year.

The actual things you need new are mattresses e.g. things they sleep on, otherwise as PPs said get things second hand or borrow stuff particularly clothes. Babies grow out of clothes fast.

If you can't find a second or borrow a moses basket then Google "baby box university UK". Moses baskets last anything from 6 weeks to 4 months. Baby boxes are slightly longer but even they shouldn't be used when a bay can pull itself up.

Oh and I don't have a changing table just a changing mat as I use the floor. However if you are having a C-section you will need a changing table or a least something waist height to change the baby on.

Thanks everybody, you've all been really helpful. I plan to put money away each month but something always seems to pop up, typical lol.
It's not the babies stuff I'm worried about as both of our families are very supportive and we've already got alot of the big things sorted, it's just worrying about the bills and direct debits but I guess we will cross that bridge when we come to it 😊