Hiya...I had a baby in Nov and am due to return to work in 3 weeks. I've done the calculations (childcare, bills etc) and have more going out than coming in.
I was going to work 32 hours per week which will bring home 18k a year.
I have a partner who brings home about 30k.
Once we have paid childcare (to my aunty so she's not registered) I will be working for nothing.
I currently claim child benefit and tax credits. I've never claimed any kind of benefit before.
A friend of mine just happened to mention that I will be better off if I work 16 hours a week and have the rest topped up with benefits...trouble is I don't know where to start, what benefit she's talking about or would I be better off.
I'm so so confused, stressed and worried, I feel sick to the stomach worrying about money.
I've looked at the DWP website but can't find anything appropriate, trouble is I don't know what I'm looking for.
Is there anybody who can offer me some advice on where to start??:confused::help:
Thanks in advance. xx

If you can't survive on 48k per year then you have a problem with how you spend money.

If you can't survive on 48k per year then you have a problem with how you spend money.

I was going to say exactly the same, I know couples that survive on less than 20k

jesus, 48k a year!

Above, if you cant survive on that then your doing something drasticly wrong. Loads of people would love that amount per year.

I get 20k a year for the house and thats ample!

are you trying to live a standard of life that you simply cant afford?

If your partner earns £30k then that really will rule you out of claiming anything other then child benefit and tax credit.
It would be better to use a registered child carer as then you could use childcare vouchers which are taken direct from wages and aren't taxed.
It seemd that you and your partner have decent earning ability so why would you want to claim benefits?
I returned to work in Feb after having my first and unfortunatly as a mother you have to decide what kind of lifestyle you want for your family.
If you are happy to be skint then the option is to work less and earn less and spend more time with child.

couldn't believe this - we have one wage c. 30,000 and just child benefit for 2 teenagers - if you think child care is expensive you wait till you get computer games, music lessons, holidays to pay for. not to mention having to apply for a student loan - a system which appalls me. Don't push yourself too much. I job shared after my two and ended up with a nervous breakdown. No such thing as childcare vouchers then....

If your partner earns £30k then that really will rule you out of claiming anything other then child benefit and tax credit.
It would be better to use a registered child carer as then you could use childcare vouchers which are taken direct from wages and aren't taxed.
It seemd that you and your partner have decent earning ability so why would you want to claim benefits?
I returned to work in Feb after having my first and unfortunatly as a mother you have to decide what kind of lifestyle you want for your family.
If you are happy to be skint then the option is to work less and earn less and spend more time with child.

Thank you for replying to my question rather than question my spening and outgoings like the other replies.
TBH 48k is not alot when we pay 1400 per month towards mortgage and household bills, child maintanence to my partners ex wife, tax, NI contributions, pension, car park at work, food, bringing up my son, running the car. Do you people not eat, own a house etc 'cause it seems to me you are completly oblivious to the cost of living.
We DON'T go out, have expensive cars, luxury holidays, a big house, designer clothing or loans or credit cards...so NO I DO NOT HAVE A SPENDING PROBLEM. Thank you very much for you're usless and judgemental comments, which I did NOT ask for.

couldn't believe this - we have one wage c. 30,000 and just child benefit for 2 teenagers - if you think child care is expensive you wait till you get computer games, music lessons, holidays to pay for. not to mention having to apply for a student loan - a system which appalls me. Don't push yourself too much. I job shared after my two and ended up with a nervous breakdown. No such thing as childcare vouchers then....

Computers are not necessary...childcare, unfortunately is

I do know the costs of liveing. Have my own house, have bills to pay, pay tax, and NI (every one does not just yourself)

run a car, costing 200 a year tax, over a grand year insurance, and petrol? Who knows its a 2.0 16v petrol guzler!

So i know the cost of liveing for definate.

My partner does not even work, and we can live comfortubly on our wage. So just cant see where 48k a year.

And as above, if your parter gets 30k a year, you will be very resricted on benefits due to income.

Hiya...I had a baby in Nov and am due to return to work in 3 weeks. I've done the calculations (childcare, bills etc) and have more going out than coming in.
I was going to work 32 hours per week which will bring home 18k a year.
I have a partner who brings home about 30k.
Once we have paid childcare (to my aunty so she's not registered) I will be working for nothing.
I currently claim child benefit and tax credits. I've never claimed any kind of benefit before.
A friend of mine just happened to mention that I will be better off if I work 16 hours a week and have the rest topped up with benefits...trouble is I don't know where to start, what benefit she's talking about or would I be better off.
I'm so so confused, stressed and worried, I feel sick to the stomach worrying about money.
I've looked at the DWP website but can't find anything appropriate, trouble is I don't know what I'm looking for.
Is there anybody who can offer me some advice on where to start??:confused::help:
Thanks in advance. xx

I think the only thing you would be able to claim is about £40-£50 tax credits per month as you are on far too much for anything else I am afraid.

I really don't think you would be entitled to anything more than child benefit/tax credit as previously stated, we're on a a very low combined income (half of yours) and not eligable for anything at all.
The cost of living is stupidly high for everyone, and no i for one don't own a house or a car (or have a child for that matter) as i can't afford to.

Thank you for replying to my question rather than question my spening and outgoings like the other replies.
TBH 48k is not alot when we pay 1400 per month towards mortgage and household bills, child maintanence to my partners ex wife, tax, NI contributions, pension, car park at work, food, bringing up my son, running the car. Do you people not eat, own a house etc 'cause it seems to me you are completly oblivious to the cost of living.
We DON'T go out, have expensive cars, luxury holidays, a big house, designer clothing or loans or credit cards...so NO I DO NOT HAVE A SPENDING PROBLEM. Thank you very much for you're usless and judgemental comments, which I did NOT ask for.
I think your the oblivious one if you think 48k isn't a large household income.

I never said I was on a low income did I??
I said I have more going out than I do coming in.
I'm not oblivious, greedy or living the high life.
All I wanted to know is whether I was entitled to anything I didn't know about and after a few suggestions from people to whether I would be better off if I dropped my hours to pay less childcare and be better off that way...I didn't come on here to be told how to live my life and spend what little money I have.

jesus, 48k a year!

Above, if you cant survive on that then your doing something drasticly wrong. Loads of people would love that amount per year.

I get 20k a year for the house and thats ample!

are you trying to live a standard of life that you simply cant afford?

Hmmmm...what like buy my clothes at Primark and not have my hair cut for 5 months, run around in car which is worth about 2grand and live in a house which needs a new roof and pay my auntie to look after my son 'cause I can't afford a nursery...Yeah, I live to a VERY high standard!!

I think in general most entitlements are only available for people on a household income under 31k. Might be worth speaking to an IFA if you're having trouble, I do know a good one if you want the number.

I think in general most entitlements are only available for people on a household income under 31k

Thank you! that's all I wanted to know.:rolleyes:

Thank you! that's all I wanted to know.:rolleyes:

I would still speak to a professional that knows the ins and outs of the system inside out, might be able to save you a bit of money. You never know you could still have some obscure entitlement to something.

I would still speak to a professional that knows the ins and outs of the system inside out, might be able to save you a bit of money. You never know you could still have some obscure entitlement to something.

I didn't think for a minute that I would be entitled to anything whilst jointly earning 48k per year...what I was asking, which may not seem clear reading back is...when I go back to work I will be dropping my hours tp 32 hours per weeks, thus decreasing MY salary to 18k.
I will be paying about 40 hours childcare in total give or take.
Once I have paid child care, bills, mortgage, food, maintanence etc etc we are working for nothing except to pay bills, we will have barely any disposable income. And I, in particular will have more going out than in, my partner, not much better.
What I wanted to know is if I dropped my hours at work to 16 hours per weeks, so I can see my son more and cut down on childcare, THEN would I be entitled to anything??

I think in general most entitlements are only available for people on a household income under 31k. Might be worth speaking to an IFA if you're having trouble, I do know a good one if you want the number.

Thanks but I doubt that will help as we have hardly any debt, it's just living in general.:)

Thanks but I doubt that will help as we have hardly any debt, it's just living in general.:)

An IFA is an Independent Financial Advisor. You might have thought he meant an IVA, which is about writing off debts (simply speaking)

Hmm, well i do know that if you put yourself out of work voluntarily you are not entitled to benefits. They may take a similar view with dropping hours voluntarily, i'm not sure. I'd have a read through on the website, or speak to the CAB.

Hmm, well i do know that if you put yourself out of work voluntarily you are not entitled to benefits. They may take a similar view with dropping hours voluntarily, i'm not sure. I'd have a read through on the website, or speak to the CAB.

i doubt it

Hiya...I had a baby in Nov and am due to return to work in 3 weeks. I've done the calculations (childcare, bills etc) and have more going out than coming in.
I was going to work 32 hours per week which will bring home 18k a year.
I have a partner who brings home about 30k.
Once we have paid childcare (to my aunty so she's not registered) I will be working for nothing.
I currently claim child benefit and tax credits. I've never claimed any kind of benefit before.
A friend of mine just happened to mention that I will be better off if I work 16 hours a week and have the rest topped up with benefits...trouble is I don't know where to start, what benefit she's talking about or would I be better off.
I'm so so confused, stressed and worried, I feel sick to the stomach worrying about money.
I've looked at the DWP website but can't find anything appropriate, trouble is I don't know what I'm looking for.
Is there anybody who can offer me some advice on where to start??:confused::help:
Thanks in advance. xx

Should you really be paying a relative so much for child care?

Thank you for replying to my question rather than question my spening and outgoings like the other replies.
TBH 48k is not alot when we pay 1400 per month towards mortgage and household bills, child maintanence to my partners ex wife, tax, NI contributions, pension, car park at work, food, bringing up my son, running the car. Do you people not eat, own a house etc 'cause it seems to me you are completly oblivious to the cost of living.
We DON'T go out, have expensive cars, luxury holidays, a big house, designer clothing or loans or credit cards...so NO I DO NOT HAVE A SPENDING PROBLEM. Thank you very much for you're usless and judgemental comments, which I did NOT ask for.

There's your problem, your house costs far too much. Is that a particularly short term or something? If so, maybe you can adjust it. If it simply costs that much because it was 300k or similar then you're in a difficult situation of having rather overstretched.

monthly
30k = 1,865.63
18k = 1,175.63

Minus 7% pension

£2828/month.

Mortgage 1400 (if I understood correctly)
Food (for 3) 250
Leaves nearly 1200 a month to pay for bills, child care and everything else.
My bills come to around 100/month which is fairly average I think.
Car insurance/tax around £40 when averaged out.
I can't find any figures on how much child care costs, but lets say £10hr, so that's 400

That leaves well over £600 a month still.

I understood it as £1400 for mortgage and household bills combined.

£100 for bills per month? Which energy supplier are you with?

Electric: £30
Gas: £40
TV Licence: 11???
Water: £34
Council Tax (Band A!!!) £98 ish?

That is over £200 for me.

It would be lovely for us if my husband earnt £30,000 - I wouldn't have to return from maternity leave :(

I understood it as £1400 for mortgage and household bills combined.

£100 for bills per month? Which energy supplier are you with?

Electric: £30
Gas: £40
TV Licence: 11???
Water: £34
Council Tax (Band A!!!) £98 ish?

That is over £200 for me.

Wasn't counting council tax, forgot it.

I think our gas+electric comes to about £50 though, we don't heat the house during the day, or use any electric since we're both at work.

If it's 1400 for mortgage and bills then we can add 400 back onto the left over from my estimate though.

Should you really be paying a relative so much for child care?

I'm not paying her alot, it's below what a childminder would earn...besides it's a HUGE favour so there's gotta be something in it for her.

There's your problem, your house costs far too much. Is that a particularly short term or something? If so, maybe you can adjust it. If it simply costs that much because it was 300k or similar then you're in a difficult situation of having rather overstretched.

my house is worth no more than a standard 3 bed semi at woodseats.

I never said I was on a low income did I??
I said I have more going out than I do coming in.
I'm not oblivious, greedy or living the high life.
All I wanted to know is whether I was entitled to anything I didn't know about and after a few suggestions from people to whether I would be better off if I dropped my hours to pay less childcare and be better off that way...I didn't come on here to be told how to live my life and spend what little money I have.

Reduce your outgoings then, simple.
Have a hair cut every week for a one of payment of about £10 (electric shaver @ argos)
buy 240 tea bags for £1 instead of 40 for £1, cycle and walk more often rather than drive

mortgage=900
gas=60
electricty=50
phone/broadband/sky=70
insurance car=22
mobile=35
water=45
tv=15
council tax=122
csa=320
loan=70
house insurance/life=45
pension=100
childcare=350
car parking=17
partners car insurance=20
partners mobile=25
food=240
petrol=120 (both of us)
child trust fund=10
TOTAL £2636
My income BEFORE TAX/NI 18k
Partners BEFORE TAX 31K
Disposable income BEFORE TAX/NI=17K
AFTER TAX= 12k
I haven't deducted NI contributions.

This is 12k for 2 adults and a child to live on with only necessary things paid.
NO haircuts, clothes, hols, luxuries, nappies, baby milk, baby food, emergencies.
So, see what I mean, I will be working to pay the bills and that's it. That's why I wondered if I would be better off reducing my working hours and childcare costs, travel expenses by not working as often etc etc.
Plus I would get to see more of my son.

Reduce your outgoings then, simple.
Have a hair cut every week for a one of payment of about £10 (electric shaver @ argos)
buy 240 tea bags for £1 instead of 40 for £1, cycle and walk more often rather than drive

Having a hair cut once per week is not necessary i'm a girl and would look a t*** if I took a electric shaver to it.
Neither my partner or I can cycle to work as we both do on calls, me in operating theatres so I'm sure if it was you waiting for a op you wouldn't want to have to wait for me to get on my bike!
I have already economised on food due to my earning less being on mat leave.

It would be lovely for us if my husband earnt £30,000 - I wouldn't have to return from maternity leave :(


Yeah, it's bad having to return to work and leave your little one isn't it?
I'd love to stay at homw with him.
Only prob is I don't get much time to see my other half as he leaves for work about 630 and sometimes, when he's on call doesn't get in till 10pm.
On a average day he gets home about 8pm.
:(

Do you need sky at a combined price of £70. You can get a basic sky+phone+broadband for much cheaper than that.
Gas and electric seem quite high, have you tried the price comparison websites?
You also spend £60 between you on mobiles every month, try PAYG.

None of these things will save loads, but even based on my earlier post tax estimate it's actually leaving you with around £384 a month after all your fixed expenditure, and you actually earn a bit more than my estimate was based on. You're probably not about to starve.

Do you need sky at a combined price of £70. You can get a basic sky+phone+broadband for much cheaper than that.
Gas and electric seem quite high, have you tried the price comparison websites?
You also spend £60 between you on mobiles every month, try PAYG.

None of these things will save loads, but even based on my earlier post tax estimate it's actually leaving you with around £384 a month after all your fixed expenditure, and you actually earn a bit more than my estimate was based on. You're probably not about to starve.

No, I'm not about to starve, I'm not pleading poverty I'm just a tad worried as since I was 16 (I'm now nearly 30) I've only had my own money worries and had all my salary to myself. Now, I've taken a substantial drop in wages and I have a little one to worry about too, I'm just airring my frustrations and worries and asking a little advice that's all.
I appreciate there are lots of people in much worse positions than me that would be gratful for my salary, but please don't think that I think I'm in the worse position or that I think I'm going to starve or have to give up my house, it's not like that.
I'm sure people appreciate that I don't want to work just to pay the bills, everybody needs to see some benefit from work, be it a small or large amount.

Oh and BTW no we don't need the combined sky package and we could get 3 for 30 from sky but we have a Virgin media phone line, you need a BT line for any other phone line. It's £125 to have a BT line fitted, cash that we don't have at the moment.
I have checked comparison sites for gas and elec and I can save about £12 per month...BUT at the moment I'm about £140 in debit to Npower, so that would have to be paid off before I could switch, again cash we don't have. I know that in the long run it will save us money but like I said, if you can't find the lump sum of cash it can't be done.
As for PAYG, I agree and I want to switch to PAYG but unfortunately we're tied into contracts with our phones.

Yeah, I wasn't trying to be overly critical. Sometimes writing down your expenditure like that and seeing what is left helps you prioritise and see where you can make cuts or even if you really need to.
Maybe you're worrying a bit unnecessarily though, your situation doesn't look that bad really.

Yeah, I wasn't trying to be overly critical. Sometimes writing down your expenditure like that and seeing what is left helps you prioritise and see where you can make cuts or even if you really need to.
Maybe you're worrying a bit unnecessarily though, your situation doesn't look that bad really.

Yeah maybe I am worrying a bit too much, i agree totally with what you just said about writing down your expediture, I do feel a bit better about things.
TBH I didn't expect this many replies. And...I didn't expect so much criticism from some people either.

Thanks but I doubt that will help as we have hardly any debt, it's just living in general.:)Hi Yan
We run a home based business were you can be at home with your little one,so you don't need to pay child care.
Also the more you put into it the more you earn.
For more info visit http://hallmark1.fragrances.fm
There are a lot of people doing this business who are in the same position as you are.
Be there while your child/children grow up,you take them to school,you pick them up,you go to sports days.
You take a holiday when you want,not when someone else says you can.
You are there when your child is poorly,not someone else.
You are your own boss,so you do what you want.
If you want a few days off you have them,you don't need someone elses permission.
You then work a bit harder for the next few days to make up.
BRILLIANT! can't beat it.
Please don't dismiss it without looking,it could be just what you are looking for.

Hi Yan
We run a home based business were you can be at home with your little one,so you don't need to pay child care.
Also the more you put into it the more you earn.
For more info visit http://hallmark1.fragrances.fm
There are a lot of people doing this business who are in the same position as you are.
Be there while your child/children grow up,you take them to school,you pick them up,you go to sports days.
You take a holiday when you want,not when someone else says you can.
You are there when your child is poorly,not someone else.
You are your own boss,so you do what you want.
If you want a few days off you have them,you don't need someone elses permission.
You then work a bit harder for the next few days to make up.
BRILLIANT! can't beat it.
Please don't dismiss it without looking,it could be just what you are looking for.

Hi. many thanks for that information.
At the moment I'm in a job that I quite enjoy and I recently went to uni and did alot of training to get the job so it's not something I would consider. Thanks anyway and will keep it in mind. x

Hi Yan
If you go to the Tax Credit website you will be able to calculate your possible Tax Credit entitlement using various different scenarios/income levels. This is a useful tool when you are considering changing jobs.
There are no other benfits you can claim unless you/ your partner or child/children are disabled. You can always get free advice from your local Citizens Advice Bureau.

Try not to worry. Being a new mum is daunting- but the most important things you can give to a child are your love and your time.

If there's the opportunity to work part time at your job then I would. You will still have some income, you won't be totally out of the work place, and you can spend more time with your child.
A few years down the line when your child starts school, you will be wishing that you'd spend more time with him/her. Unless of course you are in serious debt then that's a different matter.
Like the others have said, with your husbands income you will only be eligible for the minimum child tax credit, i think £545 a year.
I think people who bought their first house in the last couple of years will struggle more with the house prices being as high as thry were. the ones who bought say 5 or 6 years ago wouldn't have such a big mortgage for a 3 bed in woodseats.

Yan
48k per year joint annual income and your wanting benefits???? Pure greed and shame on you!!!! :rant:
As the old saying goes "You should cut your coat according to your cloth"

Of course things have changed Yan. I don't want to criticise you, but when a baby comes along, the money goes out of the window. You can't expect to keep up the standard of living you were used to. We both work (me part time) and were stupid with money before my son came along which left us in abit of debt we are trying to get out of! We have around £450 to live on a month (after necessary bills). And after £180 petrol plus food that doesn't leave us with anything. Even then sometimes we get by on £20 per week on food if its a tight month. Its hard to adjust to, but thats the way it is. To be honest, even if you were to drop your hours you wouldn't be entitled to any more money as your partner earns too much. In my opinion you should drop your hours (therefore cutting childcare costs) and enjoy your little one. Been skint isn't all bad. Its an adventure! You have to try harder sometimes. I wish I could just pop to the shop with my son and buy him whatever, or even have a meal out once a month. But we can't at the moment and you have to accept it. Instead of holidays abroad we are going camping and we are all so excited! Just make little changes. You child won't know any different. Don't stress about it. At the moment the cost of living is stupid and we are all feeling it, so we need to ride it out. And stop shouting at each other! x

Yan
48k per year joint annual income and your wanting benefits???? Pure greed and shame on you!!!! :rant:
As the old saying goes "You should cut your coat according to your cloth"

You don't need to be nasty......

You don't need to be nasty......

I was just so shocked that someone with a joint income of 48k was wanting handouts. I can't believe the cheek of some people. Many people survive on far less and don't claim benefits. Like many people they want every other tax payer to help them out, which I find quite outrageous! How does this person think the rest of us live.?? After all, when you go to the shops, my bread costs the same as theirs even though I'm on far far less annually. I don't get a discount.
My hearts breaking here and I can hardly see the screen though the tears in my eyes. :rant:

I was just so shocked that someone with a joint income of 48k was wanting handouts. I can't believe the cheek of some people. Many people survive on far less and don't claim benefits. Like many people they want every other tax payer to help them out, which I find quite outrageous! How does this person think the rest of us live.?? After all, when you go to the shops, my bread costs the same as theirs even though I'm on far far less annually. I don't get a discount.
My hearts breaking here and I can hardly see the screen though the tears in my eyes. :rant:

Hands Aryan a tissue......... :rolleyes:

We don't earn as much as that in our house either annually.

I think that Yan wanted to know if she was entitled to any tax credits to boost her wage (which most families are) after she has cut her hours and I don't blame her for asking.

Actually thinking about it aren't you entitled to something up to £58k?

Hands Aryan a tissue......... :rolleyes:

We don't earn as much as that in our house either annually.

I think that Yan wanted to know if she was entitled to any tax credits to boost her wage (which most families are) after she has cut her hours and I don't blame her for asking.

Actually thinking about it aren't you entitled to something up to £58k?

You may be entitled to a very small amount. Our joint income is around £34,000 and we get £36 per month tax credit.

When people who work and pay taxes are wanting a bit of tax credit now that they have a baby, why would that be considered a hand out?

Hi have pmed u. thanks

Just a thought but has your husband has his maintenance re-assessed now that you have a baby? If not he should contact CSA because he will be entitled to a reduction.

Try asking the local Citizen's Advice Bureau - they are usually very helpful with these sorts of things if you take along all your calculations /bills etc. Everything is confidential. The nearest one to you (I think) is
Citizens Advice Bureau - www.citizensadvice.org.uk
416-418 London Rd, Sheffield - 0114 258 3322

I too thought that you earned 48k combined and if that is the case I don't think that you will be entitled to a penny even if you personally cut your hours down to 16 as they always take the partners salary into consideration.

I was just so shocked that someone with a joint income of 48k was wanting handouts. I can't believe the cheek of some people. Many people survive on far less and don't claim benefits. Like many people they want every other tax payer to help them out, which I find quite outrageous! How does this person think the rest of us live.?? After all, when you go to the shops, my bread costs the same as theirs even though I'm on far far less annually. I don't get a discount.
My hearts breaking here and I can hardly see the screen though the tears in my eyes. :rant:

Hang on a minute!
I wasn't wanting ******* handouts, I was asking if the benefits I get for being a parent change if you hours change.
I have worked since I was 14 and I'm now nearly 30.
DON'T call me greedy.
The tax payer has NEVER helped me out and I didn't ask for benefits, it's something you get when you have a child.
If you read the bloody post properly you would know that I wanted to enquire if it was better for e to work or be a stay at home mum.
Stop being a judgemental ****.
I'm NOT loaded, and as I've said I DO NOT spend like it's going out of fashion.
YOU are a nasty, twisted person by the sounds of it, I didn't ask to be judged or criticised or even for your sarcastic sympathy, I asked for advise but if it's going to be like that then people like you can keep your opinions to yourselfs!:rant:

Thanks everybody else for your advice.
I'm just coming to the end of my 1st month back at work so don't know how my wages are going to look yet.
I do 30 hours basic but have managed to put a bit of overtime in, but then this has equated to me doing 45 hours per week, which is more than full time and nearly as much as I was doing before I had my child.
I'm working 3 long days then a 12 hour night and a few bits and bobs inbetween, it means I don't get to spend as much time as I wanted with my son, but still it's better than claiming BENEFITS isn't it?!?!:o

AFTER TAX= 12k
I haven't deducted NI contributions.

This is 12k for 2 adults and a child to live on with only necessary things paid.
NO haircuts, clothes, hols, luxuries, nappies, baby milk, baby food, emergencies.
So, see what I mean, I will be working to pay the bills and that's it. That's why I wondered if I would be better off reducing my working hours and childcare costs, travel expenses by not working as often etc etc.
Plus I would get to see more of my son.

Have I read this wrong or is that £12K a year to spend on what you want, all bills paid? So £12,000 a year, £1000 a month, £250 a week. (minus NI)

If you can afford to live when you cut your hours then I would cut your hours. Your child will only be a child for a very short time and it is something that you don't want to miss out on. Those early years are very important and you should make the most of them. As your child gets older you can take on more hours if you wish to do so. Young children do not understand the concept of money so for example wouldn't tell the difference between a pair of £20 next trousers and £4 Primark ones. What they will notice is whether or not their parents are around for them.

Thanks everybody else for your advice.
I'm just coming to the end of my 1st month back at work so don't know how my wages are going to look yet.
I do 30 hours basic but have managed to put a bit of overtime in, but then this has equated to me doing 45 hours per week, which is more than full time and nearly as much as I was doing before I had my child.
I'm working 3 long days then a 12 hour night and a few bits and bobs inbetween, it means I don't get to spend as much time as I wanted with my son, but still it's better than claiming BENEFITS isn't it?!?!:o

Hi Yan,

I know what it's like to struggle on income, no matter how much it appears you're earning. You might want to take a look at www.moneysavingexpert.com which has a huge range of different ways of saving money: from telling you who's got the cheapest groceries, to switching utilities, mortgages, etc. Well worth a look! Good luck :thumbsup:

Hi Yan,

I know what it's like to struggle on income, no matter how much it appears you're earning. You might want to take a look at www.moneysavingexpert.com which has a huge range of different ways of saving money: from telling you who's got the cheapest groceries, to switching utilities, mortgages, etc. Well worth a look! Good luck :thumbsup:

Thanks alot...I'm doin this right now!

Have I read this wrong or is that £12K a year to spend on what you want, all bills paid? So £12,000 a year, £1000 a month, £250 a week. (minus NI)

If you can afford to live when you cut your hours then I would cut your hours. Your child will only be a child for a very short time and it is something that you don't want to miss out on. Those early years are very important and you should make the most of them. As your child gets older you can take on more hours if you wish to do so. Young children do not understand the concept of money so for example wouldn't tell the difference between a pair of £20 next trousers and £4 Primark ones. What they will notice is whether or not their parents are around for them.


Hi, no you haven't read it wrong but I've just looked at it and it's not accurate, if I do 30 hours basic, my salary is 16k. My partners basic salary is 21k. His salary increases to approx 29-31k depending on overtime and on calls but we can't always rely on this, I'm just going on last years p60.
I didn't deduct NI contributions or pension contributions.
The tax I've deducted is a guess as I haven't dug a wage slip out.
I know 12k is alot of disposable income and some people live on just this alone but trust me, I'm sure I've figured something out wrong because there is NO WAY we have 12k spare.
Obviously my partners hours have dropped slightly too as there was times he wasn't home till late at night.
I checked the CSA website to see if we pay less with a baby but before we had my partners kids 3 days a week. Now we don't see them so the payments are exactly the same.

In my opinion, the facts are as follows:

No matter what your income; if you are entitled to benefits - you should get them.
Regardless of whether you earn 30k a year or 300k, if you can apply and receive any benefits - there is no argument for not doing so.

It is not greed and it is certainly not being selfish as, if they did not claim their benefits, it is the case that the unclaimed ones will be evenly distributed to those who do claim;

My only recommendation to you, Yan, is to use the BUDGET planner at moneysavingexpert.com, be VERY truthful about your spending and then you can work out where your funds go.

I was amazed at the huge amount of money I was spending annually from the little things.

Thank you for replying to my question rather than question my spening and outgoings like the other replies.
TBH 48k is not alot when we pay 1400 per month towards mortgage and household bills, child maintanence to my partners ex wife, tax, NI contributions, pension, car park at work, food, bringing up my son, running the car. Do you people not eat, own a house etc 'cause it seems to me you are completly oblivious to the cost of living.
We DON'T go out, have expensive cars, luxury holidays, a big house, designer clothing or loans or credit cards...so NO I DO NOT HAVE A SPENDING PROBLEM. Thank you very much for you're usless and judgemental comments, which I did NOT ask for.

You must either have a very rip off mortgage or a big house if you are paying almost 17k a year for your house - rent its cheaper. We pay 6k to rent a 3 bedroom house with garage and any repairs the landlord takes care of. We have 5 kids an manage on far less than you (hopefully not for long as my business gets up to speed). we have managed on 12k a year, with 5 kids so yes i do understand the cost of living.

It seems you want to spend more than you have too. Ditch the car for work and use public transport.

If you have a earning of 48k you will not be able to claim a means tested benefit as you are will above the cost of living. My figures are rounded up but you need £92 a week for a couple and around £80 for new born so around £172 a week x 52 weeks = £8944 you are around £33k above that.

You must either have a very rip off mortgage or a big house if you are paying almost 17k a year for your house - rent its cheaper. We pay 6k to rent a 3 bedroom house with garage and any repairs the landlord takes care of. We have 5 kids an manage on far less than you (hopefully not for long as my business gets up to speed). we have managed on 12k a year, with 5 kids so yes i do understand the cost of living.

It seems you want to spend more than you have too. Ditch the car for work and use public transport.

If you have a earning of 48k you will not be able to claim a means tested benefit as you are will above the cost of living. My figures are rounded up but you need £92 a week for a couple and around £80 for new born so around £172 a week x 52 weeks = £8944 you are around £33k above that.

Hi, our mortgage is 125k which I think is about average for our age.
We cant ditch the cars for work really as my partner does on calls and so do I, plus we have to drop our little boy off on the way to work and pick him up. If we ditched the cars it would take 1hour-90 mins to get home compared to about 20 mins, during this time we will be paying extra child care too as we pay hourly. Same going to work.
We both start work at 730am so I drop my little boy off at 7am I couldn't drop him off any earlier really so public transport isn't really a option.

mortgage=900
gas=60
electricty=50
phone/broadband/sky=70
insurance car=22
mobile=35
water=45
tv=15
council tax=122
csa=320
loan=70
house insurance/life=45
pension=100
childcare=350
car parking=17
partners car insurance=20
partners mobile=25
food=240
petrol=120 (both of us)
child trust fund=10
TOTAL £2636
My income BEFORE TAX/NI 18k
Partners BEFORE TAX 31K
Disposable income BEFORE TAX/NI=17K
AFTER TAX= 12k
I haven't deducted NI contributions.

This is 12k for 2 adults and a child to live on with only necessary things paid.
NO haircuts, clothes, hols, luxuries, nappies, baby milk, baby food, emergencies.
So, see what I mean, I will be working to pay the bills and that's it. That's why I wondered if I would be better off reducing my working hours and childcare costs, travel expenses by not working as often etc etc.
Plus I would get to see more of my son.

You can get your child care cheaper well not cheaper but help towards it so more money in your pocket. If you both work 16 hours plus you may get tax credits for this (not sure the max income is) to help at a regerstered child care provider.

Ditch one car and walk/cycle/use public transport. Just on one car insure thats over £250. then obv use less fuel, so would be cheaper. Breast feed better for you and baby (proven). You want the source my wife is a qualified breast feeding support volunteer, so could point in direction of leaflets websites... Use reusable nappies. - Saved you at least another £100 there.
CTF nice but not essential if can't afford it so another £120

You some how spend the same as us for food a month (£60 per week) for 4 less children, i know babies cost more but you have listed that as a separate expense later on. So basicly you spend the same on 2 adults as we do on 2 adults and 5 children!

Pension again if you can afford it.

I can see at least over £500 pound a year that I could save if I was in your position. Looks like you need to read my sig to pay for this stuff.

Hi, our mortgage is 125k which I think is about average for our age.
We cant ditch the cars for work really as my partner does on calls and so do I, plus we have to drop our little boy off on the way to work and pick him up. If we ditched the cars it would take 1hour-90 mins to get home compared to about 20 mins, during this time we will be paying extra child care too as we pay hourly. Same going to work.
We both start work at 730am so I drop my little boy off at 7am I couldn't drop him off any earlier really so public transport isn't really a option.

You don't need two cars if one is dropping him off on way to work. Public transport starts at 6ish so is possible. I don't drive and have managed getting to work for over 15 years fine.

You may be entitled to tax credits on top of child tax credits if you reduce your hours to 16 per week, plus you might not be paying out as much tax and ni if you earn less.
You can go on free netsalarycalculator, put in your part time wages and it will break it all down for you.

Visit the Inland Revenue website and do a free online calculation, do one at full time, then do one at part time and you will be able to do a comparison. If you work 30 hours a week, you get an extra £10 per week tax credits.

I think paying for childcare when you are working part time will qualify you for help towards childcare costs via tax credits. You may want to consider putting you child in registered childcare/nursery for 1-2 days and paying your aunty for just one day. Also your husband may be entitled to reduce his child maintenance due to having another child to support, check out the csa website for info.

You can get your child car cheaper. If you both work 16 hours plus you may get tax credits for this (not sure the max income is) to help at a regerstered child care provider.

Ditch one car and walk/cycle/use public transport. Just on one car insure thats over £250. then obv use less fuel, so would be cheaper. Breast feed better for you and baby (proven). You want the source my wife is a qualified breast feeding support volunteer, so could point in direction of leaflets websites... Use reusable nappies. - Saved you at least another £100 there.
CTF nice but not essential if can't afford it so another £120

You some how spend the same as us for food a month (£60 per week) for 4 less children, i know babies cost more but you have listed that as a separate expense later on. So basicly you spend the same on 2 adults as we do on 2 adults and 5 children!

Pension again if you can afford it.

I can see at least over £500 pound a year that I could save if I was in your position. Looks like you need to read my sig to pay for this stuff.

Hiya again!
I finish work later than my other half and sometimes I have to stay for on calls. This is why we need 2 cars so I can drop him off and my OH picks him up, it wouldn't save us money by using 2 cars only some of the time as we would still be paying tax and insurance if you get what I mean.
I don't breast feed anymore, my son is 10 moths old in a couple of weeks so only has 2 bottles per day.
I don't want to stop my pension as it's based on contiuous servce (or something like that) anyway I've been told that it doesn't benefit if you drop out of it for a while and it's a good NHS pension so really would like to keep paying into it.
We cook all my little ones food from scratch as what we eat isn't always suitable. It works out cheaper than jars and better for him. Once every 8 weeks or so we go and buy a load of food in for him and spend the whole day cooking it and freezing it.
Good tip for using reusable nappies though, but I am bloody lazy and find it diffucult just keeping up with our washing. Lol!
I think I'm going to have to look at our food expenses. I don't really shop anywhere expensive, just Morrisons, Tesco, Asda. Maybe I should stop buying wine:(

You may be entitled to tax credits on top of child tax credits if you reduce your hours to 16 per week, plus you might not be paying out as much tax and ni if you earn less.
You can go on free netsalarycalculator, put in your part time wages and it will break it all down for you.

Visit the Inland Revenue website and do a free online calculation, do one at full time, then do one at part time and you will be able to do a comparison. If you work 30 hours a week, you get an extra £10 per week tax credits.

I think paying for childcare when you are working part time will qualify you for help towards childcare costs via tax credits. You may want to consider putting you child in registered childcare/nursery for 1-2 days and paying your aunty for just one day. Also your husband may be entitled to reduce his child maintenance due to having another child to support, check out the csa website for info.

Hiya I forgot to mention I called the Inland rev a while ago to see what help I was entitled to with child care if I put my son in nursery and it's only £11 per week towards nursery costs.
I checked CSA and because we don't see my partners kids any more (compared to the 3 days a week we used to have them) the cost stays the same...£73 pw NOT £70 as I stated.

Sorry if i came across blunt on my previous posts. Its just the amount you have coming in is a lot - compared to what we have had to do up to now.

Tax credits for childcare is really your only option, the suggestion of splitting it a bit between a nursery and your aunt is a good one. I have no idea what skills for education your aunt has but your child age is at the time they start learning so splitting between both where possible wuld be ideal. You could then claim some help with the nursery.

At the age your child is baby milk is now the only real option.
I can see your point re pension too.

I missed my baby girl for the first two years as I was studying in London while my family lived here. We couldn't move together as my eldest are disabled. This is something I regret in a lot of ways as I missed so much.

I would reduce your hours, the costs re childcare will come down as your baby goes to school (long way off I know but it goes too quick)

Keep cooking your own food both for baby and you as its cheaper. Make in bulk and freeze. - do this for you as well as him.

Reusable nappies are a pain in the ass (pun intended) as it does mean extra washing but less in the land fill. You can get a tub where you put Tree Tea Oil (i think) in to pre soak them and the smell is not there, then just put them on to wash during the night and dry them in the morning.

Once you get into this routine it is easy. I am a man and managed it :)

As for shopping - only buy what you need and then when you can afford buy wine or whatever as a treat. I don't drink, if a bought beer or whatever my shopping bill would be £10 a week more. This is one place to make the saving and then when you buy something you like you appreciate it more.

Register with a cashback site like Quidco - http://www.quidco.com costs £5 a year (which comes out of your earnings) and you can save on little things like HMV or big things like insurance.

I have saved £250 on home insurance and £90 on life insurance. We have a motorbilty car so don't have car insurance as such but you can save on that too.

So long as you are both named on the policies you can save with just one Quidco account.

Even if i won the lottery i would still save where I can as that is the way i was brought up.

Hiya I forgot to mention I called the Inland rev a while ago to see what help I was entitled to with child care if I put my son in nursery and it's only £11 per week towards nursery costs.
I checked CSA and because we don't see my partners kids any more (compared to the 3 days a week we used to have them) the cost stays the same...£73 pw NOT £70 as I stated.

That's still £572 so helps.

That's still £572 so helps.

hiya. thanks your info has been really useful jubby.
The £11 per week wouldn't help because to claim it I have to put my child in nursery 3 days per week instead of taking him to my aunties. Nursery at my workplace is about £42 per day from what I have head from my work collegues who use the work nursery. Where as I pay my auntie £2.50 per hour.
The nurseries nearer home are a similar price but don't open till 8 am and close at 6pm so they open and close at the wrong time to fit in with our hours.

Sorry, thought you meant you were £11 a week better off.

Looks like your job isn't the best for people who want children. Shame as it sounds like you like your job and your partner does as well.

Check out Quidco though as that will save. How i use it is pay as normal and then the use the cashback to buy things. You could use it in the same way. We had £200 extra spending money for our holiday to sunny Bridlington. If i didn't use Quidco I wouldn't have had that!

Sorry, thought you meant you were £11 a week better off.

Looks like your job isn't the best for people who want children. Shame as it sounds like you like your job and your partner does as well.

Check out Quidco though as that will save. How i use it is pay as normal and then the use the cashback to buy things. You could use it in the same way. We had £200 extra spending money for our holiday to sunny Bridlington. If i didn't use Quidco I wouldn't have had that!

Thank you, will give it a go.:)

Keep cooking your own food both for baby and you as its cheaper. Make in bulk and freeze. - do this for you as well as him.


Is a Brilliant Idea.

I bulk cook in the evening and use the excess for lunch the next day.

Homemade meatballs (just get some sausages, cut them open, roll into balls 15 mins in the oven then add to bolognase sauce and serve with spaghetti)
Lasagna,
Pie,
Sweet potato wedges, etc

One of the best ways to save money.

Is a Brilliant Idea.

I bulk cook in the evening and use the excess for lunch the next day.

Homemade meatballs (just get some sausages, cut them open, roll into balls 15 mins in the oven then add to bolognase sauce and serve with spaghetti)
Lasagna,
Pie,
Sweet potato wedges, etc

One of the best ways to save money.

Stop it your making me hungry :)