Even the most carefully hatched plans can find they need updating from time to time……
Plans will now need to be revised, savings rates adjusted, risk appetites reviewed and priorities re-assessed. For now however we just getting to know each other and trying to get some sleep!
Normal service should resume soon(ish)!
Congratulations UTMT! If this is your first one then there’s a lot to learn, or at least that’s what I found. They don’t seem to come with a user manual either.
Look forward to your next post when you get some spare time (perhaps in 18 years or so?!?).
UK Value Investor,
Thanks, Yes it’s our first and we’ve already discovered the lack of user manual!
Congrats! Get that Junior ISA and Junior SIPP set up! 🙂
Weenie,
Thanks. Expect lots of future posts on investing for children.
Ahh bless his little cottons, Congratulations.
Hope you plenty of time to bond on your paternity leave. Good times ahead, but I can recommend foam earplugs for the return to work. Normal service will resume in about 5 years when little one starts school.
Nathan,
Many thanks. I’ve already perfected the art of nappy changes while still asleep…hopefully it won’t be 5 years before I’m posting again here on UTMT!
Congratulations! I’m two years into fatherhood and it’s proved to be the most incredible and rewarding experience. Now if I could just get more sleep …
Nibbler,
Funnily enough I’ve not found the lack of sleep too bad yet. He’s got no routine yet so i/we’re up at all sorts of times but it’s not been too bad so far. I’m sure that may change when I go back to work and the adrenaline wears off…
Without wanting to stray to far into a dads group from an FI one, controlled crying has worked well for everyone I know whos tried it and worked a gem for us. 10 mins is a long time when you’re childs crying (and you may have to hold back Mrs UTMT) but if you have it on a timer, i can count the number of times on two hands that i’ve had to go up in the first 18 months and they’re usually for teeth or wind.
Back onto FI: I’ll second the aldi nappies / wipes / cotton pads below. Breastfeeding saves a fortune IF it works for you (theres a lot of pressure to breastfeed regardless of how the mums doing).
Sean,
Thanks for the advice. Controlled crying is nearly as controversial subject as asset allocation! We’ve not had too many instances so far that would warrant it if we decide to give it a go….fingers crossed!
He is gorgeous! Congratulations on your lovely baby. I finally look forward to personal finance articles that take account of having little ones around, I was only recently thinking that many PF blogs don’t do this very much (probably because they have a lot less time!).
Only yesterday I opened my youngest’s JISA (he had a CTF and so couldn’t have one till recently) I looked up some articles on MSE beforehand. Monevator has some brilliantly astute articles on finance for children and young people too. Maybe you could develop a niche in PF blogging for children?
Happy Nappy Days!
Congratulations!
I’ve always hidden behind the excuse that FI would be a doddle if like most FI bloggers I didn’t have children, looking forward to being shown up 🙂
LarryO,
Thanks. I’m hoping it won’t change the plans too much. It’s amazing how many more opportunities there are to waste money with kids though….there is a never ending stream of marketing trying to guilt you into buying all sorts of gadets!
Amazing news, congratulations! A true test of your FI skills coming up 🙂
Congratulations. dont let anyone put you off the panda as a family car. Just use ALL the space wisely!
Congrats! I highly recommend Aldi nappies and baby wipes. Cheap and very good quality!
Marco,
Thanks for the Aldi tip….I’ll definitely check it out!
Welcome to the sleepless nights club! Many congratulations and good luck with your little one.
And no, children are not expensive, they are only as expensive as you make them. But you knew that already!
Congratulations UTMT! It can be hard to get your head around one’s future self, but it’s pretty easy to get motivated about him I’d imagine. 🙂
The Investor,
Thanks. So far it’s been an amazing experiance…definitely changes your perspective on life!
Very many congratulations UTMT. He’s totally gorgeous 🙂
Completely missed this, UTMT. Belated congratulations. Plenty for you to be getting on with other than writing for a while then!
Good luck to you and your (expanded) family!
Ahh what a cutie. I found there’s nothing like having another mouth to feed to focus the financial mind.