Becoming a parent for the first time - coping with childcare and pregnancy finances

[startingnow]

DP is still seriously worried about how we will cope with the financial side of things. Anyone got any information that I can share with him to help soothe his nerves.

Are you going back to work or giving up altogether?
We hummed and hawed for ages about trying for a baby because we have very little spare money and that is with both of us working full time. I'll be going back to work sooner than I would like but that's unavoidable. We saved in the months while ttc and are still saving now, until I stop work. The main thing that has helped us is realising how little a newborn actually needs and also how generous people are with hand me downs etc!
Maybe if you explained a little more of your situation people will be able to offer more specific help.

Might be worth giving the Inland Revenue a ring to see what benefits tou will be entitled to.
If you go back to work you will get Working Tax Credit.
Also your work might do childcare vouchers.

you may be entitled to tax credits
depends if you are going back to work or not
as Caz says if you are a bit more specific that will help ...

I know this is of no practicle help, but you WILL cope. I found my maternity pay from work with all the goverment maternity pay suprisingly adequate....

I found our most expensive items were the buggy, cotbed and car seat. Once these are purchased, the rest is not all that expensive.

We also did things like if there was a buy one get one free on babywipes, we'd always buy lots even before we had the baby, same with nappies and other baby items.

It will be harder financially but that's just the way it is....if you have any outstanding debts now is the time to try and clear them. Also, suggest to your DP that you start looking for good second hand items.

Caz10 is right, you will be given lots of gifts when the baby is born and if your parents/in laws etc ask what you'd like, don't say "oh not sure, some clothes?" this is the time to be cheeky! Direct them to Mamas and Papas cotbeds and point out the one you'd like! (this is what we did and have a £400 work of cotbed to show for it!)

Honastly, it's normal to fret about this. I am having number 2 and will become a housewife so you can imagine the scary thoughts we are having at just one wage!

Remember - you'll be saving loads on not going out, not drinking, not going on holiday etc as well.....

Myself and my DP are in a right mess after he was made redundant the month we got pregnant. He has broken his foot and is on incapacity and I work part time ands am doing my teacher training part time- tiny tiny wage and big rent on a tiny flat.
We worried for ages and then thought actually we're not going to worry anymore. Our families have bought us ridiculous amounts of stuff, and if we don't seem to cope with the baby, we'll change our circumstances. He will be able to find another job soonish and I'll see what I decide to do job wise- i'll change to suit baby.

We've got a rubbishy start with money but we're determined not to let it ruin this amazing time, and appreciate that we can chnge things if we struggle. It's such a difficult head space to get in to, but if you can start thinking like that it takes off sooo much pressure.

Reading and empathising we didn't save before we got pregnant because we were paying off debt already but as we are in our 30s, we didn't want to wait longer for a family. My work give me stat mat pay and no more and it is going to be a real shock so I am trying to find ways to keep paying off the debt and to not go back to work too soon.
Lottery win would help! My DH gets very worried and I get upset as it spoils his enjoyment of this special time.