Simple ideas to save money on Maternity Leave

Shirley Browning - 9 Jul 19

We were lucky that we had kept onto our cot, pram , travel cot, car seat and baby clothes from when we had our first baby. We had to buy some additional clothes only for the winter, as my first was a May baby , but second baby was born in August, so I went to the charity shops and picked up a little snow suit cheap (3 pounds), and a Joules snow suit from  facebook Marketplace really cheap (6 pounds).

Choosing whether to breastfeed or bottle feed, Think of how much money you save not buying formula but on the other token, the kit I bought to breastfeed included a hand expression pump (Haaka and Medela) Breast pads (bought weekly and only Lansinoh ones were effective as the reusable ones would fall out the bra), creams, non wired bras. I was lucky to have kept onto some from my first pregnancy.

I had kept some nursing tops from my first pregnancy and looked at the Dorothy Perkins Sale to order some additional ones. Also I suggest looking at your local Facebook Market place as for instance I sold three maternity dresses for a tenner (I wanted to sell fast as need holiday Euro’s) and there are some bargains to be had,

Think about maybe switching your nappies to a lower cost brand such as Pampers for Aldi Mamia nappies, or even try using cloth nappies or cloth wipes . Even using them when at home has reduced the number of wipes I use and less filling the bin.  I also found I try and cut down on the amount of nappy bags that we use to dispose of nappies as nappies can be folded and concealed to be thrown away.

I also tried to batch cook some food for when the baby starts on solids as this can save money considerably. Also ensuring the baby is eating what the grown ups  eat. If I do buy baby food, i try to buy jars that are on offer, say 12 for 6 pounds, as sometimes baby food jars are easy to take out in a bag.

I try to resell items on Facebook Market place that the baby has grown out of as this is good for a little money to supplement, and you are allowed to sell what you already have. As long as you aren’t mass selling as then this would have to be declared as self employed earnings.

Whilst on Maternity if you are self employed , you are allowed to do Kit days, so sometimes you may be able to do freelance work, but again this has to be declared.

Shopping thrifty at the supermarket is another way of saving Money, For instance I may do a monthly shop at Asda or Aldi, and then supplement it with a trip to Heron to buy snacks for the children that are on offer. I tend to be flexible with what I buy as for instance, I have sometimes got food in the reduced section that I can freeze such as marinaded chicken, and then this can be defrosted to be used in a few days. Also buying a massive bag of rice has helped with making meals, as this can be quickly used in a Microwave steamer that I own. (Bought from Tk Maxx for like a tenner and it is so versatile) .  You can steam veggies and fish in the microwave and makes a healthy meal.

Shirley Browning

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