How have your finances changed since having a child?

Hiya bristolbased - It's not good is it...being skint!! I told everyone this year that it's a "kids only" Christmas. That gets me out of buying all the adults prezzies, which saves me a whole load of money! Ros x

I'm in the same position as Ros. I work 3 days a week, my son's nursery fees are £122 a week! It's a real struggle! Once I take out my transport costs and such I bearly bring anything home!

We do try and budget as much as possible but with Christmas coming up it's going to be tough!

We get next to nothing off in child tax credits and are not allegable for any other credits.

We're hoping to try for another baby soon but not quite sure if we will be able to afford it! Have to hope we have another boy then wont have to buy anything haha

It's worse than I thought!! With my first two I worked in the evening and my partner worked during the day so we didn't have any childcare costs. Never having time together at home was one of the reasons our relationship went down the pan I think. This time round, I'll be returning to my old daytime job, but for 3 days instead of the 5. This will cost be over £120 per week in nursery fees and will also lose me 2 days pay per week. So basically, I won't be bringing in much bacon!! I know there's help out there with things like child tax credits and employer related schemes but I don't think it's much. I took 9 months mat leave so any minute now my salary will reduce to SMP!! Ahhhhh! Ros x

Many new parents are shocked at how expensive babies are and the effect they can have on your bank balance. Suddenly money is stretched very tight and all luxuries go out of the window! How has your money situation changed since you had a baby? Is your bank balance suffering? If not, what's yor secret?