| So you have been planning (or not) to fall pregnant and | | | | Whether you are a permanent employee or not, find |
| one miraculous day the test turns positive! You are | | | | out if you have to or can claim Unemployment to "top |
| totally ecstatic and your life-changing journey of | | | | up" your maternity-leave pay. Get all the information |
| parenthood begins. It is a roller coaster of emotions | | | | that you require in order to claim Unemployment as |
| and appointments, cravings and baby-room | | | | soon as you can and once again determine how much |
| preparations, financial worries - and some nausea - | | | | income you will get. |
| whilst continuing to try and function as you used to. | | | | START SAVING |
| The good news is that there are some great practical | | | | If you are self-employed or can't claim Unemployment |
| tips to ease the ride. | | | | or maternity pay, the challenges are a bit bigger. |
| DIARISE | | | | Whatever the case may be, the key will be saving - to |
| Ensure that you are armed with a diary, pen and lists. | | | | top up your benefits or in order to pay yourself a |
| The diary is a must to schedule your visits to the | | | | maternity allowance. Before you can save, you will |
| gynecologist, detailed scan appointments, antenatal | | | | need to know how much money you need each |
| classes, reminders to phone medical aid for | | | | month. Make a list of all your expenses and categorise |
| authorisations, to schedule maternity-ward visits, to | | | | it in "must-haves" and "nice-to-haves" (but do |
| keep track of your pregnancy and the other parts of | | | | remember to add your new projected expenses for |
| your life. Between all your commitments and a brain | | | | baby). |
| that slowly dissolves into porridge, this is the only way | | | | WHAT YOU REALLY NEED |
| to cope. Trust the diary, not the brain. And DO take | | | | Once you have compiled your list, look at each item |
| this diary to hospital. Once you give birth, there are a | | | | very carefully and decide what you can live without |
| hundred notes that you have to make and instructions | | | | for a couple of months. For instance, take a look at |
| to follow - for instance, scheduling your 6-week | | | | your entertainment, subscriptions and communication |
| after-birth gynecologist visit, pediatrician visit, | | | | expenses. Do you really have to have the full Satellite |
| hearing-test visit, clinic visits, inoculations or when to | | | | TV bouquet? Can you cut down on those luxury |
| start using the pill. | | | | grocery items? Are there memberships that you do |
| PLAN EARLY | | | | not really need and can cancel? You can also contact |
| The next step is to prepare your home for the little | | | | your insurance company and get a "maternity break" |
| newcomer. Plan early. Baby things are expensive. | | | | for some of your policies - for instance, your annuity. |
| Make a list of everything that you might need and buy | | | | This means that you do not have to pay for at least |
| a "big-ticket item" each month. Do your homework. | | | | four months whilst you are on maternity leave - it |
| Talk to other parents, as some items are really not | | | | varies per company. You will need to send proof of |
| that necessary or it is not worth getting the "best". | | | | pregnancy. Very importantly, make sure that your |
| You might also need alterations to your home, so do | | | | medical aid/hospital plan is up to date. Find out about |
| this early to avoid unnecessary stress before the | | | | authorisations required, how much they will cover, and |
| baby's arrival. | | | | if there are certain pre-approved hospitals. Write all |
| PREPARE IN ADVANCE | | | | these details down and keep it with you in case of |
| Remember, we are dealing with nature and we can't | | | | emergency. Also brief your partner. |
| control nature, but we can control how we deal with | | | | IMPLEMENT NOW |
| what she throws our way. Find out from your hospital | | | | Now that you know what your minimum monthly |
| what you need to take with and pack the mom/baby | | | | expenses and your projected expenses are, try and |
| bag way in advance. If you already have children, pack | | | | implement as much of it as soon as possible. This will |
| a little entertainment/surprise bag to keep them | | | | allow you to have a bit of extra money each month to |
| included and entertained. Arrange with family/friends to | | | | assist you with saving and whilst on maternity leave |
| assist with your children (and dad) in advance. | | | | will ensure that your expenses are as low as possible. |
| PRIORITISE | | | | Determine how long you want to be on maternity |
| If your pregnancy takes a physical toll on you, | | | | leave and save towards that. This will help you to |
| re-evaluate your responsibilities. It is OK to let other | | | | realistically determine the time you can afford to be on |
| people temporarily take over. Remember, your family | | | | maternity leave. |
| and baby's well-being is the most important of all. | | | | SECURE WORK |
| Communicate how you feel and what you experience | | | | If you are contracting or temping, try to secure work |
| with your husband and children. Tell them when you | | | | for when your return from maternity leave. Let the |
| are tired or need help. It is best for everyone involved. | | | | agencies and clients know when you will be available |
| Discuss your plan of action and prepare them for the | | | | again. If you are self-employed, try to get someone |
| new arrival so that no-one feels left out. | | | | who can stand in for you so that you are not forced |
| BE READY FINANCIALLY | | | | to return to work too soon. You can even make deals |
| These days many families need both mom and dad's | | | | with other people in your industry to take some of |
| income. Whether mom is permanently employed, | | | | your work, but with a referral fee. |
| contracting, temping or self-employed, there is a | | | | UPDATE FINANCIAL PLANNING |
| financial impact when you go on maternity leave. The | | | | In order to have a financially worry-free pregnancy |
| best is to take the sting out of maternity leave by | | | | and birth, make sure that your financial planning is in |
| making sure you are financially prepared. | | | | order. Minimise expenses, save and plan how to |
| NOTIFY HR | | | | spread the expenses of a new baby over a period of |
| If you qualify for maternity leave and pay, make sure | | | | time. Ensure that all your bills, tax and accounts are all |
| you notify your HR department as soon as you are | | | | up to date so that you can rather spend time |
| about 12 weeks pregnant and set up a meeting with | | | | preparing for your baby. |
| them to ensure you know exactly what your | | | | And enjoy the journey! |
| take-home salary would be whilst on maternity leave. | | | | |