How to use the calculator

This calculator aims to help you see how your income and spending might change in the first year after your baby is born. The results depend on the amounts you enter into the pink boxes below - only you will know this information – it is not passed on to anyone else.

Please enter your yearly figures into the pink boxes. The calculator will automatically work out for you the amounts in the white boxes from published rates (such as child benefit), based on the results of surveys of parents (for childcare costs and spending on, say, nappies) and, where applicable, the answers you give to the questions about your family. The totals will appear at the bottom of each table. To change the numbers either type them in again or click the ‘Reset’ button. To store your information please click the ‘Save’ button – this will allow you to continue at a later date.

How many children will there be in the family after the baby is born?

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

On average how many extra hours of childcare do you expect to pay for each week after the baby is born?

0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50

click on HELP >> to assist in filling out this form

your income

the year before the baby is born

the year after the baby is born

your spending

the year before the baby is born

the year after the baby is born

You currently have a budget surplus of.

£ 0

But it looks as if you are financing some of your current spending through credit card borrowing. Do you have a plan for paying off these debts?

Once the baby is born it looks as if you will have a budget shortfall of.

£ 0

'But it looks as if you intend to finance some of your spending on your credit card. Watch out - you could be heading for problem debts.