How did/do you cope finacially?

[Kersha16]

I'm just curious on how people cope finacally with their baby, and any useful tips anyone has?

 

[tinkerbelle93]

What sort of stuff do you need to know? Do you mean in regards to buying things for a baby, running a household or benefits/childcare etc? x

 

[Kersha16]

Buying p everything before like coping whilst you were pregnant?x

 

[tinkerbelle93]

I was just finishing sixth form when I got pregnant so not working and my OH was in his last year of a mechanics apprenticeship, so he was working full-time but earning apprentice wages (less than min wage!) so it was really scary. I found a part-time job at McDonald's then had my hours increased to full-time once I'd finished my exams so that helped loads.

We were living with my parents though so had no household expenses to worry about. Buying everything for baby wasn't too bad at all. If you haven't got any income or low income then you may be entitled to a maternity grant which is £500 (I think) which would easily cover you all the essentials if you budget well. I got tons of clothes off Ebay, a lovely 2nd hand travel system etc There's also a room at my local children's centre full of donated equipment and clothes that you can loan for free. I took advantage of this and got lots of clothes and bits of pieces for LO which helped (as well as donated lots of stuff too) and I still get clothes and bits for LO there now.

We still lived with my mum and dad until LO was 12 months so coping financially really wasn't an issue at all. I think we would have been able to afford and run our own place okay though if we'd needed to. My OH was still on apprentice wages, I had maternity money from McD's but we got tax credits and child benefit as well. I found that Oliver wasn't overly-expensive as a baby. Nappies were maybe £25 a month, milk was free until I stopped BFing and then it was maybe £50 a month for formula.

We moved into our own place once OH was qualified and on a proper wage. Childcare is a pain but I have managed to have Saturday/evening jobs where DH can look after Oliver so that helps. It's tough running a household for 3 people under one income but we manage with being careful and I always look online for ways to save money. So that's how I manage in my situation anyway! My best friend is a single mum to a baby and works 2 days a week and she manages absolutely fine also. It is do-able and not too stressful or straining! X