- If in employment, talk to my employer about how maternity leave/ adoptive leave will impact pay, pension and other benefits.
- Find out what entitlements I am due from the Department of Social
- Protection on www.welfare.ie
- Keep a spending diary for four weeks
- Complete an income and expense check
- Draw up a budget, including any planned periods of unpaid leave.
- Work out what debts (if any) I can afford to repay
- Start a savings plan, for short-term and long-term goals
- Examine pension benefits and top up if needed
- Budget for spending on big items and spread out cost.
- Compare prices and search for good deals
As your child grows:
- Revise your family budget
- Start a monthly saving plan, including an emergency fund and a long term saving goal for education and other large expenses.
- Make a plan to protect you and your family against loss of income, illness, bereavement or other changes in your family’s circumstance.
Planning for your child’s future:
- Help my children develop an understanding of money
- Open savings account for my child
- Arrange a will if one is not already in place
- Shop around for insurance when it is up for renewal and make sure I am getting the best deal
- Determine if my health and life insurance is giving me adequate cover
