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Hard to say exactly what to save. Will depend on what you need to make up in terms of salary loss when not paid, mortgage commitments etc, also you will need to buy things for LO (although second hand things can be excellent). Also, I would strongly recommend having a financial buffer for once LO home especially for year when pay will be reducing. Just a thought, I think a lot of employers will work out what you are entitled to over the year and then work out monthly payments from this. It means you get paid evenly throughout year rather than having it gradually reducing to nothing. Just might be easier to budget this way.

Thanks Minnie, in regards to things for LO due you mean clothes etc. Is it correct that you get a grant to help buy cot etc??

Depends on age of child. So could be things like highchair/pushchair/cot etc. My LO come with lots of clothes and fc had even bought some larger sizes. I think some LA's do give grants but I don't know about all. But I got some great 2nd hand stuff. And you never know, people might offer you stuff!!! Admittedly that didn't happen for me, but then very few people knew I was adopting!!!

All my friends and family know its my plan to adopt so i think ill be given many things when it comes to it.

Don't bank on getting a settling in grant - our LA rarely gives them and only ever for things like giving the house disabled access where necessary. However, I barely had to buy anything - last Christmas I asked people for things I needed, so my Christmas list included things like a cooker guard, fire guard and car seat!

Thanks Kstar, i have nieces and nephews from ages 11-2 weeks old and friends with children of different ages, so ive already asked them to hold things for me. Also i will happily go to charity shops and get things.My question about SAP and adoption pay is with work is it the net or gross when they say 90% of your wages?

Hi,SAP is only £128 a week for 6 months. SMP (maternity) is 90% of your wage for the first 6 weeks and after that £128 a week up to 6 months.If your work is giving you 6 weeks at 90% then it's not SAP - they are matching SMP.The law has been changed but changes won't go through until April 2015.May I ask, are you working for a large company or public sector? These organisations tend to match adoption pay with maternity pay.I work for a small company and made the request of matching pay but was refused. Feel discriminated against but can't let a bit of discrimination get me down!Good luck to you.

Oh yes....I would chew my arm off if you weren't taxed on this pay....

I work for the local authority. I get 90% for first 6 weeks, then next few weeks 50% plus SAP and then only SAP for 21 weeks. Im very luck with the adoption pay at my place