if we had a baby now, how much would we get per f/n from centrelink?

[KittyK]

You should get ftb. We defer our family payments until after we do tax every financial year as i dont want to over estimate but Based on last year. My DH earns anywhere from $1000-$1300 per week, and for Half of the last financial year I was taking home approx $800 a fortnight. At the end of the financial year when we did our tax we still got $3000 for family tax benefits. So If we get family tax benefit with me working, you living on one wage would def get ftb

[PumpkinZulu]

Honestly, we only have about $400 a month left after all is said and done. Babies aren't expensive. They start getting expensive I'd say around 2 or so, when there are more activities, go through clothes quicker, eat more etc. Affording a baby is very relative to your mindset Our daughter has so far had everything she could ever need, as well as much she could ever want.

Eta just realised this is in the Centrelink section. I would be hesitant about having a baby too if you definitely can't afford one on one wage. That was DH and I initially and it was very stressful. Now, DH works 6 days a week and if we lost my payment (which is almost nothing now anyway) we'd still be okay. My advice is to really examine whether or not oh can afford a baby one just your DH's wage. As I said, I believe how expensive a baby is is relative to how you look at it.

[Onelittleprincess]

Sit down together and work out absoulty everything. My Husband has honestly no idea where money goes where but understands i have the financial mind for it all. Start purchasing odds and ends early. When we found out we were expecting bub 2 i bought extra things when they were on sale (nappies etc). Our belief was as long as the mortgage was paid and the bills and the kids had food who cares.

Start living off his wage now and put yours into savings. Live to a strict budget then what ever is left at the end of the fortnight put into your savings to bulk it up. only dip into it as required. You will be suprised how you can survive and save.

Another thing I do is work things out in small payments. For example DH wants to go to an event in March which will cost approx $300. I tell him he needs to save a certain amount each week ($5) to be able to have the money required by then. How easy is it to say "save $5 a week" compared to "save $300 by march"

[Peace]

M&d2b are you planning on returning to work after baby?
I ask because our plan is to get either baby bonus or paid parental leave, have me off work for about 6 months and then I'll return to part time work.

[KittyK]

As to how much though is anyone's guess maybe try calling Centrelink if you can stand being on hold to them. I remember when DH was working and I wasn't we were getting ftb fortnightly and I said that DH earned $1200 a week, my ftb benefit a fortnight was about $90. That might be able to give you an idea anyway.

[KittyK]

Preggoeggo that's pretty much what I did. When DS was nearly a year old I went back to work part time. I did paid parental leave because it is more than the baby bonus. Was so hard to go from two wages to one but its definitely doable m&d2b

[Peace]

Preggoeggo that's pretty much what I did. When DS was nearly a year old I went back to work part time. I did paid parental leave because it is more than the baby bonus. Was so hard to go from two wages to one but its definitely doable m&d2b

Good to know it worked out for you KittyK. I figure we will be doing less with a new baby anyway so hopefully we will be able to adjust. We are working on reducing bills at the moment too. My health insurance will halve after baby, DP getting rid of his mobile and just using the work mobile etc. small changes should make a difference.

[Phteven]

Personally I wouldn't make a budget that depended on welfare payments.
Next year is an election year. Both parties are likely to make big promises to win the middle class vote. Both parties are likely to cut payments as soon as possible after the election to give everyone time to forget before the next election.

[Mummy&Daddy2Be]

wow, thanks for all your replies . you have a point Onyx, should just count any $$$ from centrelink a bonus.

i'm quite shocked that $200 left over a f/n can be enough to afford a baby. that just sounds so out of reach for some strange reason...

to qualify for PPL what's required? i have tried reading all the documentation but it confuses me a little....

[Amity]

I would start saving now. Buy nothing unnecessary. Don't spend money on Christmas and birthdays. Put that in a savings account and you'll have a decent amount before too long.

Save 10% of every pay before you do anything else.

And save all your pay to see if you can live on your partner's income alone.

If you do that, you should be able to work out what you need to save before baby is conceived.