As a mother of four the original post in this thread made me smile - and brought back some very fond memories.

My husband and I used to have a similar set-up - two sole accounts and one joint - but, over the years, we have simplified things and use one joint account plus a savings account in my name into which child benefit etc is paid.

The simplest advice I can give you is this - don't panic!! It will all sort itself out as you go along, provided you stay think carefully about your financial moves and your future plans.

I am about to return to work after a break, and it seems I may well be earning more than my husband. This role reversal will take us full circle to where we were when we met! So I would add that (a) there are always options - a new job, a sabbatical, consultancy work from home - and (b) - that you never know what is around the corner, especially when you have children, so remain flexible and forward-thinking.

Apart from that, I would just wish you good luck. I would imagine you will find these forums most useful in the upcoming months!

Cat

Hi Donna

Fabulous news! You must be very excited. It's a major life change (I've got two now, aged 7 and 4) but I count my blessings every day!

I don't know if you saw my post earlier this month in reply to your search for good budgeting software? In case you didn't, let me give you the details now.

I am currently one of the people testing a new site due to launch next month. The site is live but not being promoted and features an online UK specific money management application called Mvelopes Personal. If you go to www.mybeanstalk.co.uk you can do the Quick Tour and then if you like what you see there is an offer for a 30 day free trial.

I must say I am impressed with what I've seen so far. It's really helped me to organise my spending and I can now make more informed decisions about where my money goes each month. I wish I'd started using it years ago.

I hope you find this reply helpful and good luck with the birth.

Warm regards

This is a very tricky one. But rather than smile to myself I thought I'd tell you what we did.. and three years later and two bundles of joy, still working!

We too had our own accounts and a joint account that the bills came out of. The wife then stopped contributing to this account and I still kept up payments for the full amount each month (by standing order the day after payday). We sorted the tax credits to credit her account and gave her a credit card attached to my account for spend such as food and kids stuff.

This seems to work fine for us, but everyone is different and it's always going to be a culture shock...

Money is the least of your wories.... but it is so worth it.

Best of luck.

Hi

We're expecting our first baby in December and am now stressing about money. My husband and I normally pay half the mortgage each through a joint account but once I start maternity leave my salary will be the basic SMP and he will be paying it in full. I'm just stressing about what to do with the direct debits and paying the mortgage and bills. Does anyone have a plan which they have worked from in the past? Or some good guidlines or budgets to work from? I've been so relaxed about the whole thing now i'm getting worried!!

Thanks