Maternity pay

[Ghosty1]

If you have a job that is a fairly decent wage...how do you manage financially on the SMP because that is extremely low. I dont have any luxuries as it is, my wages just about cover my bills and food that's it. Looks like I may have to go back to work earlier than 6 months 😫

[Lovefood1984]

Can’t help on that one I’m afraid, I’m with you though that the SMP is low when you are used to more and have a mortgage and bills that match that income. I certainly couldn’t afford my time off if I don’t dip into some savings which I plan to do from 6-9 months. Hope you find something that works, I’m lucky that my employer gives 6 months full pay, I know teachers etc only get 6 weeks 😱 How they cope I have no idea x

[Hidden]

I actually didn’t find it as bad as I imagined and I was stressing about it. Normally half my wages go towards putting into savings and the other half towards bills so on maternity pay we just can’t add anything to savings.

It was nice having for money for the first 6 weeks as you get 90% of your money. Then down to £145 a week which worked out to be around £600 a month when I got paid.

There’s a lot of stuff for baby you don’t need but may think you do. I made that mistake on some things so really they don’t cost too much in the early days. Plus you do get £82 child benefit which can go towards clothes or milk if you bottle feed xx

[WeeMrsH in reply to Hidden]

Hi, is everyone eligible to receive Child Benefit even if both parents earning a decent salary? x

[Hidden in reply to WeeMrsH]

I think if you or your partner earns £50,000 or more you have to pay a tax on it x

[MissEd]

Ive saved every month since finding out. Not enough to make my monthly pay what it should be but it will help. Lots of people have said its not as bad as you think. For me i wont be doing the travelling i do with work and all the brought lunches! Which soon add up! X

[Snowy76]

It is a thought and a worry isn't it!!!! I'm due in May. We've started looking at what we might need - the car seat, pram, cots etc and have started putting money aside for those. Will get a couple of months before when there's a sale & we've got some cash together (keeping an eye on the shops).

[Hidden]

I’m self employed so won’t get maternity pay just the maternity allowance. I’ve saved hard to cover myself when I am off, but will go back to work after 6 months.

[CatarinaB]

Hi! We saved for essential expenses for 7 months: rent, council tax and bills and we are not putting money aside for savings during that period of time. We will be living on that plus 680 that I am getting payed monthly and my husband who is unemployed will find a job just for money until I go back to work and then he will stay with the baby after those 7 months. I would love to stay the all year on mat leave but unfortunately that is not a possibility for us and we are happy and relaxed with the plan we’ve set up! Xx

[Ghosty1]

We have now come up with a plan that my partners wage will pay for the bills and my mat pay will be to live on. I will go back to work after about 7 months afternoons and my mum will child mind as she works mornings only x