How to Save Money on Maternity Leave
Preparing for a new baby is an exciting time, but it can also be a daunting time. You might be worried about how your finances are going to hold up whilst you’re on maternity leave. Many couples take a hit in their income when a new baby arrives, and this can be when you really need that money the most. Coupled with the inevitable sleepless nights, money worries can make life with a newborn really tough. As a Mum of three children, I’ve been there, and I’ve put together a few ideas on how to save money on maternity leave.
[lwptoc]Budgeting when you’re pregnant
The very first thing you need to do whenever you’re looking for ways to save money is to go through your budget with a fine tooth comb. Now is the time to prioritise your bills and get rid of unnecessary expenses.
First of all, you need to know exactly how much money you are going to have coming in each month. If you’re taking a pay cut whilst on maternity leave, then you might find that you have a deficit each month and you’ll need to work out how to cover that by either cutting back or making extra money.
Take stock of your priority bills
You then need to know exactly what your priority bills are costing you each month. This includes:
- Rent/mortgage
- Council Tax
- Utility Bills – Gas, electricity, water
All of these are bills that you need to be able to afford each month, and falling behind on them could land you in a bit of a mess.
Review your recurring monthly bills
Once you know how much your priority bills cost, then go on to look at all of your other monthly expenses and see which ones you can either reduce or cut back on. Many of us pay for subscription services each month, and whilst these are nice to have, they really aren’t essential when you’re trying to work out how to save money on maternity leave. Whilst you might be tied in to some of your contracts, it could be possible to agree a reduction in the monthly cost if you explain your situation. These recurring monthly bills could include:
- Mobile phone contracts
- Sky TV
- Netflix
- Amazon Prime
- Disney Plus
- Broadband
- Gym membership
Reduce your utility bills
Whilst it’s important to keep up with your monthly payments for your utility bills, there are things you can do to cut them down. The UK is currently experiencing a cost of living crisis with utility bills skyrocketing over the next few months. So it’s more important than ever to try to cut down on your energy usage where possible.
Reduce your gas & electricity usage
There are a few different things you can do to reduce your energy usage in the home.
- Don’t leave electrical items on standby
- Turn off lights when you leave a room
- Draught proof your windows and doors so you’re not losing heat
- Turn down the temperature on your washing machine
- Try to avoid using the tumble dryer
- Have quick showers
- Don’t overfill your kettle
- Batch cook multiple items when you’re using the oven, then reheat in the microwave
- Switch to using an air fryer where possible instead of the oven
Reduce your water usage
- Take showers instead of baths
- Collect rainwater in a water butt.
- Pour your washing up water over your garden (just be sure it’s not too greasy or full of bits of food)
- Turn off the tap when brushing your teeth
- Reduce your washing machine usage and make sure you wash full loads
- Use a water-saving device in your toilet cistern.
Reduce your food spending
Food shopping can be a huge expense but when you need to cut back on your spending and find ways how to save money on maternity leave, then there are things you can do.
First of all, work out your food budget so you know exactly how much money you can afford to spend each week on groceries.
Meal plan
I always write a meal plan each week and then order my food shopping online. This means that I only buy what we need and I’m also not tempted by all the items dotted around the supermarket. If you’re new to meal planning, then it’s really simple and not something to get too hung up on. Simply start off by going through your cupboards, fridge and freezer and see what you have already in. Use what you already have in to plan some meals, then think about the other meals you want to prepare for the week. Then, write your shopping list. It’s that simple.
You can grab a free weekly meal planner and some family meal ideas here:
Switch down a brand
Own brand foods have come a really long way and they’re often just as tasty as the more expensive brands. You may find there are some items you don’t like, but try switching down a brand and see how you go. I actually prefer some own-brand items to the more expensive alternatives. ASDA Just Essentials Mature Cheddar Cheese is absolutely delicious!
Buy and sell secondhand
As tempting as it might be to head out and buy the most expensive brand-new baby gear, it’s really not necessary. Babies get so little out of their toys and clothes that it makes far more sense to buy preloved, secondhand items.
Charity shops are a great place to find baby equipment as are car boot sales and places like Facebook Marketplace.
For secondhand baby clothes, take a look at Vinted and eBay.
Create a gift list
Your friends and family are going to want to buy something for you and your new baby, so don’t be ashamed of setting up a gift list. You can do this on Amazon and it means that your loved ones will be able to buy you useful items that you really want or need rather than everyone buying you newborn outfits that might only fit for a couple of weeks!
Take advantage of freebies
In the UK, there are lots of places that offer freebies to pregnant women and new mums. Brands are desperate to entice you in as a new customer by offering free nappies, wipes, sterilising tablets, washing liquid and all kinds of other items.
Emma’s Diary will send you a range of goodies when you register with them. And keep an eye out for other places offering freebies, these change all the time but your midwife may be able to help.
Find out what you’re eligible for
Make sure you know what you’re eligible to claim so that you’re receiving all of the extra money you’re entitled to. You could be entitled to NHS healthy start vouchers to help pay towards food and milk, Universal Credit, and Child Benefit. All of these can add up to a healthy amount each month. You can use a calculator such as Entitled To which will work out how much you could receive.
Use your free dental care
All pregnant women are entitled to free dental care from the minute they find out they’re pregnant until twelve months after the birth. Dental treatment can be expensive, so make sure you take advantage of this whilst you can.
Make extra money on the side
There are lots of different things you can do to make money whilst you’re on maternity leave, it’s just a case of working out which way works best for you. Have a read of this post all about ways to make money on maternity leave for some ideas to get you started.
