Baby or Bust

Your bundle of joy comes with a bundle of financial considerations -- everything from managing the mortgage on one income to paying for your child's education. So from the moment you decide to start a family it's worth taking the important step of getting financially fit for parenthood. Mother-of-four and personal finance journalist Nicola Field takes parents and parents-to-be on a step-by-step journey that covers every aspect of funding a family. Baby or Bust tackles the key issues faced by parents today, including: deciding when to have children managing the extra costs living well on one income taking parental leave working out which government benefits you are entitled to saving for your child's education. With lots of easy-to-follow tips and plenty of good, sound money advice, this entertaining and informative book is a must-read for anyone about to start a family. You may not be able to stop the baby from waking at 3 am but at least you won't be lying awake worrying about the family finances!

Your bundle of joy comes with a bundle of financial considerations everything from managing the mortgage on one income to payingfor your child's education. So from the moment you decide to starta family it's worth taking the important step of gettingfinancially fit for parenthood.Mother-of-four and personal finance journalist Nicola Fieldtakes parents and parents-to-be on a step-by-step journey thatcovers every aspect of funding a family. Baby or Busttackles the key issues faced by parents today, including:* deciding when to have children* managing the extra costs* living well on one income* taking parental leave* working out which government benefits you are entitled to* saving for your child's education.With lots of easy-to-follow tips and plenty of good, sound moneyadvice, this entertaining and informative book is a must-read foranyone about to start a family. You may not be able to stop thebaby from waking at 3 am but at least you won't be lying awakeworrying about the family finances!

About the author ivAcknowledgements vForeword vii1 Ready or not? Knowing the right time 12 Can we afford a baby? 153 Forward planning 334 Nine months ... and counting 615 Paying for everything 816 Maternity leave and beyond 937 Penny-wise parenting -- surviving on one income 1098 Living well on a budget 1279 Bibs, bottles, briefcase 13910 Saving for schooling 159Notes 177Index 181