do you think its a bit tight?

Gillianh2

lkmc01 wrote: »

my partner works in the evenings so I couldn't

If your partner is working evenings, could he look after the 3year old during the day, as this would then free up the nursery costs. I uderstand he might be working nights, but if he grabbed an hour or so before you went to Uni and then had a nap when 3year old naps in day, and then has a couple of hours when you come in from Uni. I know thats not ideal but it would save you some cash.

lkmc01

one week he works 5am - 3pm and the following week 2pm - midnight

Gillianh2

Have you any family or friends that could help out with childcare? It would only amount to a couple of hours a day then either OH or you could take over.

Fire_Fox

Both my partner and I work shifts - he is a hotel chef and I work in the fitness industry but have done barwork - it's perfectly possible to manage without a car. You just need to be organised: move somewhere on a bus route or in walking distance of your partner's workplace, purchase a bicycle and pay colleagues/ taxis for the occasional lift home when it's raining heavily.

Alternatively you could never switch the heating on, shower in cold water, sell your TV, do without a telephone or internet and cancel Xmas. I know which I prefer!

Fire_Fox

Just popped back as I have thought about this a different way. Your partner brings home £1100 every four weeks. This necessitates you spending £100 a month on childcare, at least £320 on running a car and costs you, say, £250 in lost earnings as you cannot work part-time due to your partner's shift patterns. So actually your partner is bringing home £430 every four weeks! :eek: If they worked in a lower paid job with more regular hours you'd probably be better off financially.

Fly_Baby

I did Masters part-time, worked part-time and had a 1-year old at the same time. Husband worked full-time. It is absolutely manageable. How many classes do you have a week? I am sure you could fit in some part-time job - many students work, especially if they have a family and financial obligations.

Idiophreak

Couldn't see this above, but have you thought about taking a career development loan or similar? Borrow a couple of grand, would amount to £40 a week, make things a bit more comfortable in your budget. Anything you didn't spend could be saved and used to pay back the loan once it kicks in (after you've graduated).

Hopefully, once you've graduated, you can get some money coming in and that will cover the loan repayments, easy.

lkmc01

I may have to use some of my savings, but I was hoping that my 20 grand house deposit would not have to be touched. the 20 grand is my student loan from my undergraduate I have not used

bandraoi

Is there a nursery at the university where you could get free/subsidised childcare?

If you have £20k available as a loan, I think it's doable. You may not need it, but at least you have the option if things go wrong/the car blows up or whatever.

alenax

I know it's frustrating having to maybe reconsider your plans when you have everything set up but these people really know what they're talking about and they helped me loads so I would listen to them and at least take it into consideration! Maybe show this thread to your partner so you can both take some of the points people have made into account?