Maternity payment $3000-$4000

[our little treasures]

I am so tired of hearing all the negative feedback of the maternity payment and how it is paid. So I hope that others like me will write how they intend to spend the money, I think it's great that my mum went without it but I know she is gald that my husband was able to spend four weeks at home caring for his wife and baby, and put finances to the backburner for that time!!
With our first born last year jan we spent the $700 plus on a new 7kg washing machine as we had an old simpson and we were using cloth nappies and we needed it, this time with our second we have half decided so far we desperately need a new fridge and freezer as we have a 221ltr and i would like to express with this one so i need the room, that would set us back at least $1000 we still havent decided on the rest. But we need a dbl stroller, a car seat and the list goes on.

Without the bulk amount Iwould not be able to get these large items, We don't drink, smoke or do drugs and we don't gamble, we have both worked since the legal age as well as finished our schooling, we have paid our taxes and our dd has an aust scholar fund set up. I would love to hear how other families intend on spending the $3000. :) Positive responses only as there are other posts for criticising..

[Jimmyjones]

I am with you angelbaby, There will always be people that abuse the system!!! as it is a large amount of money and iI am grateful as it has given me the freedom to be able to spend a extra 3 months with my little girl before I have to head to work.
Its awful that this money has made people make life for money. :(

[pippa]

Dear Angelbaby8,

Good on you spend the money on whatever you need to. I don't have kids (but we are trying) and we have most items we need for our house so we will probably use our $4000 for baby items and for me to be able to stay off work but if I was in your shoes I would do the same thing. :)

[draught]

I agree - lets be positive about the money and not complain about how it arrives!

We didn't receive any money from the government when our first daughter was born, but I had paid maternity leave so we survived quite well. This time round I had no paid leave so the $3000 kept us going for the first few weeks and helped us adjust to one income, at a time when we were having airconditioning installed for a new baby's Queensland summer, buying a double pram, buying a bed for the toddler so that the baby could use the cot, buying a second car seat......and the list goes on. If we had received the money spread out over a period of time we wouldn't have been able to buy these big ticket items. I am not sure why people want to look a gift horse in the mouth - let's face it - the government doesn't have to give us anything, but if they want to try and buy my vote and help us out a bit at home, I am not going to complain.

[mumof2girls]

I am one of the older mums who never got one of these payments, but we still managed, what choice do you have? But I am glad that the government is helping families this way!

I have known a lot of people who have done the same as you and bought things not only for the baby but also for the house whether it be furniture, aircon etc. I even knew a couple who were saving for a house and the used it for the rest of the deposit on a house.

Whatever you do with the money it is your choice and I'm glad that your partners can spend that time with you after your baby is born or that you can take extra time with your child/ren :)

Good luck with bub number 2 :)

[Taylor & Lachlans Mummy]

With my two we got the smaller payments of $900, with that I got clothes for the kids, & what ever was needed at that time & if that ment servicing the car to make sure if was safe to have bub in so be done. It would be different if the money was spent on drugs, drink, gambling. But fridges, washing machines, beds etc will benefit the child in more ways as they grow up.

[Annie]

We had our little one in December (after much trying - and heartache). Being our first that lump sum was very handy towards set up costs. We didn't have any family/friends with 'hand me downs' so we had to fully set ourselves up for bubs. We also put $1000 of the money into a separate bank account as a gift to our son. We aim to add to it over time, and with the interest compounding, hopefully it will become a nice little nest egg that he can put towards a house etc. :)

[Kirsty Stewart]

:) Hi all,

Well we only recieved the $800 payment when we had our son and we just popped it on the good old credit card as it went towards medical bills. My OB Gap fee was $3000 so it would have come in very handy as we would have had the extra money. Lucky enough we could afford everything.

I think it just shows you that the payment is just such a wonderful thing if used properly. It means you and your husband can have that little bit of time off work, pay a few extra bill, do a few things around the house or have a little holiday.

Overall i do think that the payment is good I think it just gives you that little boost to kick start having a family. ( even if you put is away or save it for them it all helps)


Kirsty
Mum of Lachlan 16/5/04

[our little treasures]

Well it's finally good to hear from others with the same ideas, I hope the money helps all of us with the start to our little cherubs, whether it be in an account or on the car or spent on the millions of other things the bubbies need. I know that the majority of us love our bubbies to pieces regardless of what we get or what they cost! :p
Mummy to 1 and a half :) 25
DH Mark :cool: 30
DD Atahlia :p 14mnths
Bubba EDD 22.7.05

[kerrie]

I am VERY positive about the maternity allowance.....Bring it on :D
We'll be using it to hire a private midwife for our homebirth ($3000)
Kerrie :)

[jiminy]

Hey there ladies,

Just wanted to agree on the "each to their own" thing. The money comes in handy for lots of reasons to lots of people weather it be bills or stay at home time or appliances, if you need it use it that is what it is given for, to help ease the presure of down to one wage time........ so good on you all!!!!!

now on to me being a bit confused, how does the payments actually work??, do you fill out forms in the hospital once you've had your bubba and then it is sent after a processing time or is it split into 2?, i am very confused....sorry to be so unsure, but I'm a first time mum and my friends only got the $800 payment so they are unsure aswell........

Thanks!

PS i am in Melbourne if that helps????

[our little treasures]

The money is paid as a lump sum after the baby is born, you fill the forms out at the hosipital and then take it to centre link. The payment usually comes after 21dys. The $800 was prior to this current financial year.
hope it helps. ;)

[jiminy]

Great thank-you for clearing that up 4 me angelbaby8!!!

Jiminy. :)