Universal Credit & Tax Free Childcare

Hey, so a quick back story - I live with my 3yo & ex (applied for council housing in July but waiting for confirmation so I can start bidding - he doesn't know this).

I applied for UC on the 10th of this month & had my job centre ID meeting last Monday (he also doesn't know about this). I'm waiting to hear back if I'll get it or not (I spoke to Citizens Advice prior to applying & they said I would be eligible).

My issue😬😬😬 I need to resubmit on my tax free childcare account by the 17th of October (I know I can't have both UC & Tax free childcare) but I don't wana cancel it in case I'm not accepted for UC 😬

Annoyingly, my childminders fee is due on the 1st of October. If I add money to my tax free account, will I get the top up even though I haven't resubmitted yet?

Also, if I add money & need to cancel to use UC, is withdrawing the money I added simple/straightforward?

Ugh, I duno what to do!😳😵‍💫 As I don't wana cancel tax free childcare in case they don't give me UC.

Any advice please? 🫣

in our community

Looking for my girly group

okay where is my girly group because i know you’re hiding somewhere 😭

i’m looking for a little group of girls around brisbane who actually want genuine friendships — coffee/matcha dates, brunch, cute little outings, shopping, walks, dinners, playdates if you have kids, sending each other stupid reels and eventually getting to the point where we can just show up at each other’s houses looking feral 😂

i’m a mum of two but you definitely don’t have to be a mum. i’d actually love a mix of girls where our entire friendship doesn’t revolve around being parents.

i’m into beauty, skincare, books, reality tv, spirituality/psychic stuff, cute outfits, y2k everything and having conversations that somehow go from completely unserious to deep life shit within five minutes.

i’m not looking for the “we should totally catch up!!” and then never speak again type of friendship 😭 i want my actual girls. group chat, spontaneous plans, checking in on each other, celebrating birthdays, the whole thing.

bonus points if you’re a little introverted, a little unhinged and also wondering how adults are supposed to make proper friends 😂

where are youuuu 🤎

Where you at?

Why is making friends in your 40’s so hard?! I’m 45, SAHM and have 3 kids with a big age gap. Looking for a texting bestie that actually responds. Let’s chat, send each other memes and support each other. Don’t care where you live! Honesty, non-judgmental and a sense of humor is a must. Let’s talk
about our kids but also ourselves and anything else because let’s be real, it’s all about the kids 🤣 I love plants, reading, true crime and crafting. Throw some iced coffee in there and my new bestie and I’m a happy girl!
🪴☕️📚✨🧿

Thoughts?

My husband is in the army, he’s separating due to his injuries. He’s currently in a holding unit but will be coming home soon in a few weeks. I just got this message from him and I am not really sure how to respond to it or how to feel about it. What do you think 🤔
⬇️
“So I go to the track almost everyday to run and this girl also goes and we basically been like running together everyday like nothing crazy just side by side and talking but she wants my insta , I don’t think she’s weird or anything I wanted to ask u first if I could.”

SAHM + Blue collar husband = solo parenting most of the day

Anyone else have a blue collar husband and tends to be solo parenting, on survival mode while they work long hours ? It gets lonely here and could use some relatable connections! 🫶🏻

30 hours for working parents

I am getting myself confused regarding the 30 hour for 9 months old
Will like if someone can help confirm if I’m right
My daughter was born 22 of Feb, she’ll be 9 months in November, the term after Nov is January, I resume work in January officially as well, but I will be taking annual leave into February
Can I get the funding from Jan?

Motherhood

Anyone else find motherhood extremely tough? I love my baby. I feel like everyone says how much they love it but dont talk about all the challenges and times of loneliness that come with it.