Going back to work...can you afford it?

[babyhopes22]

Hi all,
I wanted to ask this question to all u single mummies...
I too am a single mum to a 16 month old little girl. The problem I am having now is that I am ridiculously bored and fed up of being a stay at home mum...don't get me wrong I love spending the time with my daughter but there is only so much we can do together. And now she is getting bored as she is a very curious child and needs to have the interaction with other children.
I'm now at the point where I want to go to work desperately but am very concerned that with nursery costs these days I'm not goin to be able to afford it until she goes to school.

Are there any single mums that have managed this and if it's actually possible?
I'd be really grateful for any advice

 

[Dezireey]

I actually did a personal financial assessment and budget with my Dad (who used to be an accountant) and by totting up nursery fees, the average wage for my job (I am skilled in one particular field) petrol costs (I live in the countryside) etc etc. I actually ended up in the red every month with NO money at all to spend on essentials like food and nappies etc. It really depressed me as I too am starting to get bored and so is my LO as he is just learning to walk now. So I am going back to University to study to get a higher paid job and I get nursery fees covered. I will obviously still struggle with money for a bit but to be honest I would be worse off working in my current role and that was quite a good wage!

It's nursery fees that are the real killer in this country, they have just risen and risen and the average wage has stagnated so that so many women have no option but to stay at home until their babies are ready for school.(which we don't have to pay for...christ imagine if they charged us for that!)

So I recommend that you do a budget or look at your finances with an average wage that you know you would get and look up average nursery fees for your area etc. Make sure you include travel to work fees or ways of cutting costs aswell in your budget. If you discover that there is no way you can go to work then I recommend planning your week where you do something like - take baby swimming or go to baby groups. So you break up your week and don't feel so isolated and bored.Just get out there and socialise with other Mums, who no doubt like us are in the same position and can't work.

 

[babyhopes22]

Thank u for that! I started college in sept last year but had to quit in jan cos I cudnt afford the travel and childcare costs even tho the college paid most of it...it's ridiculous to think they moan about ppl bein on benefits but they aren't helping us get off them!
Ill ask my step dad for a little help with a budget as he too is an accountant lol just hadn't thought about utilising him lol.

 

[lemontree12]

hi, im actually havng to go back to work full time in less than 2weeks. not what i want but because of my maternity pay i at least have to for a while.

working tax credits pay for 70% of nursery fees, with child tax credit on top of that t will actually pay my 177pw bill and leave me 40 extra per weeks extra

then my bills will come out out my full time wage, child benefit and fob matienice. i wont be in the red by any means but feel like its such a shame im leaving my daughter full time

after everything is paid i will have around 500-700 for food ect and whatever we want or need

i worked out if i stayed at home i would only have around 200-300
i will give it a few months see how i cope

 

[Dream.dream]

For me I think your lucky to be able to stay home . My son was in daycare at 4 weeks ecause I had to be back in school to get funding and since then I've always had to work to be able to afford rent and groceries even though almost half my pay goes to daycare . If you can I'd try finding a friend or family member to sit for 1-2 nights a week and get a part time job. You actually might find you miss her if your working full time

 

[belle254]

I couldn't afford the nursery fees even if I wanted to, not now bub no2 is on the way and will arrive in July. It means on tax credits, income support and my ex's maintenance (if he carries on paying it) I will have just enough to cope with clothes and essentials every month with a bit extra for my car, parking, days out etc. I look forward to going back to work eventually too but am valuing this time with my babies.
I know we'll never get it back! xx