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BABY BLUES

I’ve been trying for a baby for 10 years but how do I save the £7,000 needed for IVF?

NICCI Bond is desperate to have a baby and has spent the last ten years trying to conceive with her partner. 

She needs £7,000 to pay for IVF before she turns 42, as the clinic says the chances of a successful pregnancy after then are too low - and she doesn't qualify for NHS help.

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Nicci Bond, 40, pictured, is desperate to save cash for IVF before she turns 42Credit: Nicci Bond

The 40-year-old from Bradford earns £22,500 a year as a night shift worker at a children's home, plus extra if she works Sundays, but her outgoings leave her with very little cash and she is £10,000 in debt.

Our Cash Clinic expert Holly Thomas pulls no punches in telling Nicci to get a handle on her debts before they spiral out of control.

She also recommends Nicci ditch her pricey Sky subscription and switch from buying food in local convenience stores to shopping in supermarkets.

Nicci told The Sun: “I wish I had enough money to have IVF treatment but I’ve never had the funds no matter how hard I try.

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"The clinic wants the money upfront - there’s no option of a payment plan to spread the cost. Plus I have poor credit due to a bunch of debts.

I want to have IVF before it's too late

Nicci Bond

"I’ve had tubal unblocking, a laparoscopy, cell tests, pelvic ultrasounds, 3D imaging, a 16-week course of oestrogen and a few other procedures.

"The majority have been self-paid as my partner has children, which means we’re not always eligible for NHS help.

“I don’t own my home or a car - but I’m not too bothered. The thing that’s driving me to improve my finances is to have IVF before it’s too late.”

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Nicci and her partner Bilal, 51, live separately so they don’t have the benefit of splitting household bills between them.

She has already paid out around £5,000 in private consultation fees for treatments and assessments for her fertility over the past five years, to find out the reason she has so far been unsuccessful in falling pregnant.

Cash Clinic looks at where Nicci can try and cut back to fund the IVF she's so desperate for.


Why we've launched Cash Clinic

THE Sun has launched its new Cash Clinic series because we want to help you, our readers, to save cash.

For some, it's easy to get caught up with work and family life and to put our own finances on the back burner.

While for others, it needs an expert's eye to work out where further cutbacks can be made to already tight budgets.

If you'd like our Cash Clinic expert to review your finances and to feature in our series, please email Holly Thomas at cashclinic@mcb777.site

Bills: £273 per month
New spend: £188 per month
Saving: £85 per month

Nicci’s flat is supplied only by electricity and not gas. Her monthly bill from Npower is currently £90 a month.

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