SMP

[Dlah]

Not really sure where else best to put this but just want to rant at SMP.

Myself and my partner have one beautiful daughter, nearly 2, were due to get married in 5 months so money is all tied up into that and we'd like to get on the baby train soon there after but the more I sit and look at finances the more I think we can't!

I was extremely lucky with my first daughter as I worked 2 part time jobs therefore got 2 lots of maternity pay and it just about gave me an average wage throughout. Now I have one full time job, but we have joint house bills and some of my own debts I accrued before the relationship, I don't like the thought of having to rely on people for money, but I just don't know how people survive, especially if no savings, on just SMP. I don't want to feel like I've got to rush back after No 2, I had 10 months with my first.

The more I sit and crunch figures it just feels like we'll never be able to 'afford' the time off, in terms of just keeping up with bills. Baby wise we kept everything so would have minimal outlay in that department.

Moan over

Im in the same position - and single! with a mortgage!

Save like mad - thats my advice - im having 6 months off not 12... (6 months tops)!! which is rubbbish but such as life.

sucks though!i feel your pain

I don't really understand why the change in jobs is relevant unless your earnings or maternity entitlements are a lot lower now?

But yes, SMP is shit.

Because last time in 2 jobs I got double maternity pay, this time in one job I'll get the standard. So whilst I appreciate I was extremely lucky last time, this time, not so much :/

Will you not get any maternity pay from your employer or is it just SMP? I’m only having six months because I can’t afford to manage on SMP alone but will get some maternity pay from my employer for the first six months in addition to SMP.

Will you qualify for child tax credits, tax-free childcare or anything else that might help you rebuild your finances when you go back to work?

Can you consolidate any of your debts to reduce the interest e.g. transfer to an interest free credit card or low interest rate loan?

Is there anything you can save on wedding-wise and put away for maternity leave instead?

It really is shit! I have no idea how people are expected to survive on it. I am so lucky that my employer gives us 50% pay plus SMP, otherwise I could not have done it. You have my sympathy, OP.

I'm going to be on SMP only...so I've started a little business from home to top it all up a bit. As on SMP last time I returned after 5 months and it broke my heart. So this time I'm planning to aim for longer. But it's shit. Really shit. So I'm planning on winging it ✔👌 I don't think there will ever be the right time financially.....

Im due to have 10 months off on SMP.

I've worked out I'll be £100 short on my share of the bills so have been putting that aside every month since we found out I was pregnant (about a month and a half in). DH works full one but has a lower wage than me.

We can pay the bills so that's all that matters.

Annoyingly, I was 8 weeks away from qualifying for occupational maternity pay.

Yes unfortunately this job has no OMP just SMP. Take me to Sweden lol

I don't expect to be rolling in it, I just don't want to be in financial difficulty/have to sacrifice and go back early

Now where did I put that lotto ticket . .

Why do people say "myself and my partner"?
Genuine question. I see it a lot on here.
It's really bad English.

What an absolutely pointless and rude post. I always wonder about people who think pointing out 'bad English' is an appropriate thing to do when they haven't been asked. Did you misunderstand the poster in any way? No, you did it to try to embarrass someone and/or in some sort of bizarre attempt to show off that you know something you think they don't. Posting it on a thread where someone is seeking advice and support about a pregnancy matter is even worse.

Honestly it was a genuine question. My apologies if I offended you so greatly.
I just see it on MN a lot, more so than anywhere else.
It was amusing rather than an accusation from me or a telling off about grammar.
I can't get my tone across in a post.

Same here. Was unaware I was pregnant when starting new job so missed the cut off. Don't even get SMP, but get maternity allowance. 145£ or something per week (which is the maximum and I'm lucky I got that as some don't)
It's impossible, makes me stress so much. My wages won't even cover my monthly bills now as it will be more than half of what I'm used to and I JUST scrape it.
Should be the happiest time and instead we're worried about money. Never not had a job or not worked hard and this is what you get 😓

Can you save up some annual leave to top up at the begining/end of mat leave? I have saved 4 weeks to take from 35 weeks then whilst on mat leave my annual leave will be renewed so I will take some more at the end. It is crap though but I am 33 weeks now and trying not to let financial worries ruin this time

It sounds mad. But is there anyway you could get your outgoings down before TTC?
I managed to swap my virgin media for talktalk and saved £50 a month, waited for DH to have a few more years no claims to get his car insurance down, moved house to cheaper rent, started cutting down our food shopping with less treats (they were all fattening anyway) and stuck to a meal plan.
I know it's way easier than done and if you're tied into contracts or already cut yourself to the bone it's not possible.
I managed to get the outgoings down a couple hundred pounds a month and it made life easier and much more comfortable for us.
Obviously it depends where you live and your wage, but my DH is only on NMW and I only got SMP and we had enough for all bills and everything DS needed.
You still need to live a decent life but most the outgoings I changed didn't seem too have a massive effect on our lives and I wish I'd done talktalk years ago.