If you register for free, you will be able to post threads, vote on polls and lots more. If you have problems with the registration or logging in, please contact the administrator.
Originally posted by allstargyp:
I fought this arguement before on here Gav and seem to remember being the only one that thought a new child should be with a parent for the majority of the time for the first 18 months or so.
I know that in some cases nurserys are unavoidable but you've wanted kids so why not spend time with them and enjoy them.
Totally agree with you mate. We've struggled financially at times, I've had to work stupid hours, etc, but we have a fantastic daughter who is happy. I am certain this is because my wife didn't work for the first 18 months of Izzy's life. Only now she does part-time at weekends, when I spend time with her. It does make a heck of a difference.
On the flipside, I know there are a lot of families who struggle to do this, with one parent at home. That doesn't make them bad parents. I just can't understand how people can be earning stupid cash and 'can't afford' to survive without both going back to work.
I'm printing this thread out for my wife to read. It may make her realise how well we've done compared to people earning more than us!
Originally posted by Dutch Master Bergkamp:
Normally I would agree with you 100% Gav, but if you take my wife's salary away and you are left with about £26000, then meeting all the mortgage payments (which includes unemployment cover, critical illness & death cover plus the mortgage it self plus a few other things) plus utility bills and public transport costs to take me to work, then one of the parents not working is not really feasible.
No fair enough. But could your wife work part-time?
Quote:
I don't know where you live but here in the south and the south east it is pretty expensive.
Surrey tends to be even more expensive! It sucks down here, doesn't it?
Quote:
Sure, I could give up unemployment cover and critical illness and death cover for example, but it is there to protect us/my wife in case one of us is made redundant or if one of us dies.
I gave this lot up. Of course, I would start it up again when we are in a better position, but it is one thing we didn't really need in the short term. A gamble maybe, but a gamble worth taking.
Quote:
So again, you can't just look at a combined household income and make judgements on that figure and say it should be easy to meet childcare costs.
Again, fair point. I do feel for you, especially as you are pretty much in the same boat as ourselves (no family nearby - ours live 5 hours away - so no easy childcare). I would consider childcare carefully though. Does either workplace have some sort of childcare centre/scheme? I know more and more places are doing this now. Even ask your works if they have any such schemes/supports in place. It is worth asking and you never know your luck.
And good luck - come pop into the OTF Parents thread as well!
Originally posted by Gav Stone:
<BLOCKQUOTE>Originally posted by Dutch Master Bergkamp:
Normally I would agree with you 100% Gav, but if you take my wife's salary away and you are left with about £26000, then meeting all the mortgage payments (which includes unemployment cover, critical illness & death cover plus the mortgage it self plus a few other things) plus utility bills and public transport costs to take me to work, then one of the parents not working is not really feasible.
No fair enough. But could your wife work part-time?
Quote:
I don't know where you live but here in the south and the south east it is pretty expensive.
Surrey tends to be even more expensive! It sucks down here, doesn't it?
Quote:
Sure, I could give up unemployment cover and critical illness and death cover for example, but it is there to protect us/my wife in case one of us is made redundant or if one of us dies.
I gave this lot up. Of course, I would start it up again when we are in a better position, but it is one thing we didn't really need in the short term. A gamble maybe, but a gamble worth taking.
Quote:
So again, you can't just look at a combined household income and make judgements on that figure and say it should be easy to meet childcare costs.
Again, fair point. I do feel for you, especially as you are pretty much in the same boat as ourselves (no family nearby - ours live 5 hours away - so no easy childcare). I would consider childcare carefully though. Does either workplace have some sort of childcare centre/scheme? I know more and more places are doing this now. Even ask your works if they have any such schemes/supports in place. It is worth asking and you never know your luck.
And good luck - come pop into the OTF Parents thread as well! </BLOCKQUOTE>
The things is Gav, I fully agree with you. We would love it if my wife could stay at home full time and look after the baby.
We are just not sure if we could afford to live on my £26k and meet the commitments I have mentioned.
We could of course take a gamble just like you did and cancel certain policies.
Luckily we still have a few weeks to look into all of this (due date is 15 January).
Could you please give me the link to the OTF Parents thread. I'd love to get into more contact with guys like yourself and exchange ideas.
Also, if not done already, you could switch your mortgage to interest only for 6 months or so to save some cash, then switch back when your missus decides to go part time.
Linear Mode
