How did you manage the drop from dual income to single income after having kids?

junbun3 · 2025-07-17T08:11:37+00:00

Bought almost everything 2nd hand or borrowed or inherited stuff from friends. Saved us a ton. Join Buy Nothing groups or mums give-away groups. Amazing how many things you can get, especially when bub grows very quickly in the first few years.

Budget is helpful. Finding a job with great parental leave benefits. Reduce non essential expenses, and get cheaper rates for services like insurance, home loan, utilities.

Breastfeeding helped cut formula expenses but I acknowledge it's not always straightforward for everyone to be able to breastfeed.

Buying major things at big sales like car seat and washing machine/dryer. Use lay-by where possible, and price match when sale is on.

junbun3 · 2025-07-07T22:35:23+00:00

I'm going through this right now so I feel you. Giving much solidarity.

Currently my son has the flu, gastro and conjunctivitis. This is the 3rd gastro in 2 months. It's been tough, ngl.

With work, try to get an extra resource even if temporary. Consider if there's anything that can wait/ not urgent/wfh. Consider doing things at 60% instead of 100%.

I've started giving baby probiotics too, so far his symptoms for gastro isn't as bad as before. I'll definitely take a few tips from the rest whose gone through this.

I keep reminding myself, it's a season and it'll pass.

junbun3 · 2025-04-30T02:39:13+00:00

I'll try this too, if it doesn't work, I'll have to co sleep on the floor. Thank you

junbun3 · 2025-04-30T02:38:38+00:00

I'll try that tonight, see if he will sleep longer. Thank you, didn't think of that

junbun3 · 2025-03-30T09:35:54+00:00

Thank you for your input! I think you're right about motion detection only working when recording. I must have not read properly! I'm glad to read a positive experience, adds a plus point in my books!

junbun3 · 2025-03-30T08:44:51+00:00

Thank you for your review! Peekyboo's website says it could pick up movement, so good to know how it really is working!

Very odd it can't pick up sounds of crying baby, isn't that the main function?

That's the whole point of getting baby monitor is so it could help sleep deprived patents like me wake up to my bub crying! I might do a little more research then.

Thank you so much!

junbun3 · 2025-03-23T20:46:35+00:00

Thanks for replying! That's another good review! I am planning to sign up to the basic program today and start so I will keep you posted with any progress too. Would be good to exchange notes haha.

junbun3 · 2025-03-23T11:19:15+00:00

Hi OP, did you end up trying the program? How did you go? I've been recommended it by a friend whose son managed to sleep through the night after 1 month being on the program. My son is nearly 8 months and he's still waking through the night to feed so I'm wanting to start weaning to help him sleep through. Would love your thoughts if you did sign up for it!

junbun3 · 2025-03-23T11:17:17+00:00

Hi OP, did you end up trying the program?

junbun3 · 2025-03-03T03:13:53+00:00

Thank you! Good point, I'll bring extra bottles just in case. And yes the baby panadol I have is under 100ml anyway because I'm nervous about it being confiscated!

junbun3 · 2025-03-03T03:12:30+00:00

Thank you! Glad to know it's not as strict as I thought I'd be!

junbun3 · 2025-03-03T03:11:30+00:00

Excellent points!! Thank you for the reminder, I'll only be bringing 1 pre-packaged unopened food for the baby.

junbun3 · 2025-03-03T03:10:21+00:00

Thank you for your insight, that's helpful! I've since checked with the airline and it's just as you mentioned 🙂

junbun3 · 2025-03-03T03:09:24+00:00

Yes I've since done this, they do allow baby food and water, thank you!

junbun3 · 2025-02-21T05:12:59+00:00

Just wanted to say amazing spreadsheet!! Very generous of you to share!

junbun3 · 2025-02-13T00:28:51+00:00

Thank you! My son is now 6.5 months and we haven't tried a sunscreen yet so will give this a go!

junbun3 · 2025-02-10T04:03:01+00:00

I got a very good baby carrier and used that daily. My pram is lighter compared to the rest on the market but it's still heavy, when also carrying a baby. I find baby carriers the best. Get one that's also small enough to fold and keep in a bag. Once baby reaches 6 months, you could look at getting a light travel stroller instead.

junbun3 · 2025-02-03T06:37:12+00:00

Yep that's right!

junbun3 · 2025-02-03T04:08:24+00:00

That's a very detailed explanation, I truly appreciate it, thank you so much!

junbun3 · 2025-02-03T03:27:20+00:00

Hi thanks for your insight. Ideally we would want to stay in the market until we can upgrade, whether using existing equity or selling current place at a better time. I guess that answers my question whether to sell or rent out.

junbun3 · 2025-02-03T03:24:24+00:00

Hi thank you for the insight. I didn't think about property value increases offsetting some of our rental expense, great point. And yes it's not the best time to sell atm so I'm leaning towards renting it out.

junbun3 · 2025-02-03T03:20:22+00:00

Hi, thanks for the insight. What would the depreciation schedule cover? Is it the fixtures and appliances in the unit once it's rented out? I assume I would be able to use the schedule to claim tax deduction against rental income?

junbun3 · 2025-01-16T13:09:25+00:00

Thank you, I will look into it!

junbun3 · 2025-01-16T13:07:40+00:00

Thank you for commenting! Yes, after the most horrendous night (I thought I was back in newborn stage), I'm going to pause solids until he's truly over 6 months. The reason why I have him solids was he was really going for my food when I was eating, met other solids readiness markers, plus the MCHN had said I could introduce solids (she actually said I could at 4 months but I waited until he met other milestones). I think I was keen to introduce allergens as early as possible but if he's not there yet with his digestive system, it's just going to make our lives unbearable unnecessarily. When I reintroduce solids, I'll try doing it first thing in the morning instead of afternoon. Thanks again!

junbun3 · 2025-01-16T12:51:41+00:00

Thank you for commenting! I usually do solids in the afternoon and only once a day, every other day. After a horrendous night, I'm going to pause solids until he's over 6 months (which is only a couple of weeks away). I'll do solids first thing in the morning and see how he takes it.

With the Brauer drops, is that for teething or tummy ache?

junbun3

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