Child benifit

Once I'm back off maternity we will be putting it into savings. We did this with my eldest but stopped whilst on maternity leave this time as need all the money we can get! Think it's a nice way to be able to save something for them if you are able to do it x

We have an account that the money goes in, we add more money into that account each month and it's all spent on food and stuff for the house etc. So some of it will be used on baby milk and nappies and the rest we just use towards our food shop. I think it's a great idea putting it away if you can afford to

I think baby groups are important! Baby is gonna learn a lot that way and it gets you out of the house! Maybe you could do a mix 😅

The first payment I used to purchase a travel cot and Highchair as it was things he needs and I have used some of it for baby classes as it’s in his interest and development plus it gets us out of the house so win win all around. I might have to cut them back though as money has got tighter. If you are financially stable enough to put it away for baby then I’d do it you could always use it for experiences when they’re older or for things they’ll need bigger car seat etc

While on maternity I use it for classes and things for her but once I’m back at work it’ll go in her savings account xx

I am using it for classes and swimming lessons. Will consider putting it in savings once I'm back at work x

Hey sorry I don’t have an answer to your question but I’m intrigued, can everyone with a child claim child benefit or does it depend on your income? (Feel a bit silly that I don’t know this) Thanks!

@Rosie anyone can claim child benefit

Here's the link, if you haven't already made a claim, do it 😊 every penny counts at the min with the cost of everything going up! https://www.gov.uk/child-benefit/eligibility

@Kimberley how long did it take to hear back from your claim? My LO is 3 months next Wednesday and I’ve still not heard anything! Scared because I know they only back date it 3 months 🤦🏻‍♀️

We set up a junior Isa and put 10 pounds into it every month, he’ll be able to access that when he’s 18 so hopefully go towards something like a car if he wants one. The rest does unfortunately have to be spent on clothes and nappies due to mat pay but once I’m back at work we will increase the amount that goes into the account

@Kerry 5 weeks I think. I'd ring them as it says online to allow 9 weeks for the claim and if it's been that long I would chase it. It is pretty annoying as you don't actually hear anything back from them, the money just starts going in the bank

@Kerry I still havnt heard either and I done mine 11 weeks ago

I put half in savings for him and the other half on activities/nappies 😅

@Kimberley oh really! I didn’t know that, I assumed you’d get some kind of confirmation! How annoying 🙄 On hold to them now and it says it’s a 75 minute wait so I’m in for a thrilling morning 🤣

@Victoria so annoying isn’t it!!

For me i a didnt hear anything back they just put it in my account and thanks guys for sharing your opinions ❤️

@Kerry did you manage to get through to them?