Can't afford to return to work

[MrsJT]

Hi all,

I am getting myself so worked up and stressed out at the moment.

My little girl was born 5 and a half weeks prem in March and I'm due to return to work in January.

I've sat and worked out roughly what it will cost and there is no way I can afford to return to where I currently work, I bring home 1200 per month but due to where I work petrol will cost me 5-600 per month (had to have a bigger car for baby and this one take more petrol, used to cost 350-450 per month) and childcare the same, due to my hours I would have to leave lo from 7am until 4pm when my husband could pick her up. At the end of it all I'll be bringing home a maximum of 200 per month this doesn't even put a dent in the bills and I don't want lo to be in childcare for 9 hours a day what was the point in having her to do this.

I'm really stuck at what to do its not that easy to get a new job these days especially not one that pays how my current job does. I don't know what will be best fulltime, part time or being a stay at home mom although I have absolutley no idea what kind of income we would get with me doing this.

I'm really starting to stress now as I only have a couple of months to sort something out, anyone else been in this situation what did you find worked best?

Thanks all stressed first time mom

 

[Gemble]

I couldn't afford to go back full time, no way! The childcare would be too much. Instead I do 24 hours over 3 days. My LO goes to a childminder 2 days a week which works out about £275 per month on average and she either stays home with OH if he's off or goes to MIL for a day on the weekends. Because I'm working no more than 24 hours my tax is almost non existant (about £30 per month) where as full time it was over £200 sooo it works out that I get more working PT than I would full time with paying childcare I only get about £200 less than when I worked full time before having LO hope that all makes sense..

Maybe get a worse paid job that's closer to where u live? Then ud save ALOT on petrol that would prob pay ur childcare fees? Doing nights in a super market pays well maybe not ideal but even say a 6-12 shift would be manageable. Needs must and all that! We struggle a bit but we've just learnt to live to our means. We go without if we have too. Beans on toast isnt so bad

Hope u manage to work things out

 

[MrsJT]

Thank you Gemble, if I can afford to go part time i would love to do so as I will then be able spend more time with my little girl. Evening/nights in a supermarket doesn't sound too bad if I were to only do it for 3 nights something to sit and look at i think thank you

 

[LPF]

I do 22.5 hrs over 3 days - I could do more and do three longer days - 25/26 hrs - maybe consider that - would cut petrol a bit and my lo goes to nursery 8-5 (open to 6). I prefer 3 full on nursery / work days and 2 at home.

Could you access public transport for work or car share?

Look into child care voucher if yor work does them - you can get £243 salary sacrifice per month so each month you get around £77 tax relief.

Think about the future too - I don't work for tons now, I'm a little better off working, but not much BUT I have job security, stable income, future progression and a career that will last long when my children are in school.

 

[gingermango]

We have already realised we will seriously struggle if I go back to work after this one as we would need to put lo in full time creche and ds in wrap around as he would only be part time at school, also due to mine and hubbys wage we would be just over a thresh hold it ctc so would get very little help meaning my wage would be almost entirely consumed by creche fees.

I am planning on requesting to go part time but failing that Ill be staying at home, which terrifys me as Ive always worked!