I don't know where to turn
Show your support
And also with debt, have you got credit cards? They are typically high interest so if you can “balance transfer” to a 0% initial period on another credit card, or convert it to a loan if you can pay regular amounts, you can save loads on interest.
@Rosie she’s only eligible if she’s working 16 hours minimum per week. But only to get 15 hours funding 🥹 some maths that is …
If you want to message me, I’m a CV writer and work freelance myself (editing, translations, occasionally teaching). Maybe we can brainstorm something for you 😃
@Rebecca that’s alright though, 2 days at nursery for 10 hours a day and working two x 8 hours shifts. Say it’s £10 an hour at nursery and you earn £15 an hour. That’s £50 paid to nursery outside the funded hours but £240 earned, per week. So you’re up £190. Then you’ve got tax free childcare, so pay £40 and gov top up by £10. So 2 days of nursery for £40, when you’ve earned £240 a week (less NI, but probs not any tax at that amount)
@Rosie that's all well and good but it's finding the work for those hours. Also my little boy is very attached to me as I'm the only one who looks after him and with problems at home at the moment I think he would really struggle with nursery at the moment. My partner works different shifts every week, one week he might do 4 days which are 12 hour days and the next week he might work 2 days again 12 hours each day. I may have to try an agency I just need someone when he has his days off but every week its different so I need something flexible. Thank you I will look at the budget planner. Yes I have checked all benefits and I can't get anything because my partner earns too much and also we have a joint mortgage and I'm supposed to be paying my half. We have no credit cards our debt is bank loans which my partner is paying monthly for but he's stressing so much about owing all this money
@Rebecca I’ve looked into this and it’s not the hours that matter, it’s how much you earn. They look at your earnings rather than the number of hours you work. Min earnings is £183 per week regardless of how many hours. Just wanted to clarify https://www.gov.uk/check-eligible-free-childcare-if-youre-working
I would second Rosie that if you can get some part time work and get the funded childcare hours it will ease the financial stress at home. Little one will settle into nursery in time and will make friends. But it is entirely your decision and you know what is best for your family xx
@Beth yes that’s true. Most part-time jobs just tend to be low-end. But say you’re self employed as a lawyer and can make this in 1hr per week you’re still good.
I know this is a couple of days old, but I just wanted to check if you’d considered contributory jobseekers. My partner earns a decent amount but I got this entitlement when I was looking for work. It may mean you can start your little one in nursery for a morning/afternoon each week and try to build up. What I would say is that you are working. Looking after a toddler is tough. Could you sit down and talk about the whole situation?
@Carly thank you for your message. I'm in Ipswich x
@Claire thank you for your message. I did think about job seekers but then I wasn't sure if I could get it because I am in a joint mortgage and I haven't been working. I do have some slight good news my partner is hopefully going to be changing his work schedule leaving me able to get weekend work. Definitely I feel like I do a full time job as it is, doing the job of mum and dad
There’s a really good site called Entitled To. Give this a try - https://www.entitledto.co.uk/benefits-calculator/Intro/Home?cid=102e7d51-e958-42ca-9c42-811667d380e4 Really pleased he’s compromising. Good luck finding something! X
@Claire thank you so much for your help I've already tried the entitledto benefits calculator and unfortunately we are not entitled to any of it except child benefit which we already get. 😞 it's so sad there is not enough help for stay at home mums. Me too, thank you so much that means a lot x
Now you’re eligible for the 15 hours of nursery funding, what about getting your little one in care 2/3 days a week for you to work? You should also be eligible for the tax free childcare so a further 25% on what you pay in for free. That way you don’t need to worry about his shifts, as he doesn’t need to be there for you to work. Also, does he work every day on shifts? Or get a regular day off? Even just one regular day of work would be helpful. You could also speak to an agency and explain your availability issues and see what they have, might have some one off days here and there to pick up when you know he’s off. On the debt side, have you done a budget? You can get free support here for budgeting https://www.moneyhelper.org.uk/en/everyday-money/budgeting/budget-planner And have you checked all benefits you’re eligible for? Citizens advice have a helpline to check everything you might be eligible for.