no worries sarah, glad to help out. i was working full time until about 4 weeks before my EDD. we did try to save, but it didnt work too well as we were still paying off lay-by's on her cot, pram, car seat etc. plus our other household expenses/debts. i would have had a few hundred $ in savings by the time i finished work, but it didn't last very long! i'm planning to have a year off, i am due to go back to work in june, dont want to go back though so we will see how we are financially when it's time for me to go back.

I'm lucky that my fiance has his own business which he runs from home and also does a fair bit of contracting work so he can (at the moment) bring in enough money to support us. the government baby bonus, if you are eligible for it, is also a great help.

even if you start putting $20 a week into a savings account (and don't touch it..i think this was our downfall! lol) by the time bubs is here you should have a fair amount saved up. buying groceries in bulk has also helped us- we did a huge shop before i finished work and we didnt need to go again for at least a month- stock piling is great!