Samantha, 24 weeks pregnant, is looking for advice on planning her finances so she can take some extra time off work to spend with her new baby.
“I’m the first person to admit I’ve always been terrible with money. Now that my fiancé and I are starting a family I know we need to get things under control but I don’t really know where to start. Ideally, I want to take extra time off work and stay at home with the baby for at least the first year but I can’t see how we can possibly afford it between the mortgage and all the extra baby-related expenses. I’ve never been able to stick to a budget but I just don’t think we will be able to survive with me not working for a while unless we have a plan. What I really want to know is how do other people manage it? Do you have to be a millionaire these days to have kids? Is it worth going to see a financial planner or is that just more of a headache? I really want to be able to have some time with my baby before going back to work but am I just dreaming?”
Did you plan your finances carefully before having a baby? Or do you fly by the seat of your pants when it comes to money? Either way, please share your experiences and help Samantha and others like her. By answering a few questions you will be helping us get a broader picture of how expectant families can better plan their finances before their new arrival. Thanks, Shona x







