MSE Parents Club Part 14

weezl74

SusanC wrote: »

I wouldn't mind if they took our CB away. Although I disagree with it in priniciple, while it's available to me I'll claim it because we've paid into the system but I don't "need" it.

do you mind me asking why you don't agree with it?

Ignore me if too controversial, I know money and stuff can be a bit of a taboo! I am genuinely interested though.

SusanC_2

r.mac wrote: »

I have a question re: travel cots. I have a big bulky and heavy travel cot, but we've only used it when travelling by car. I'm heading to London later in the year and wonder what we can do instead of lugging it with us on the plane. My friend hasn't got one we can use and I'm not sure that she would sleep in the bed (though she's have to share with me). Any ideas????

We have one of these which folds up quite small. We did have the little life one but we had a problem with the poles so we got a refund and bought that one. I would recommend however checking whether she is happy with it by visiting a shop (I think Mothercare sell them) because after we changed ours we didn't use it for ages and then when we tried to use it Alice was scared of it so we ended up having to get a ReadyBed instead. (She likes it now though and sometimes requests to use it at home.)

Sami_Bee

weezl74 wrote: »

Ah ok , thanks lovely:)

So if I stop work then really the CB needs to be in my name? (ideally, to protect state pension?)

well as you have 2 children I'd have one for each parent - that is what we do, just to cover all bases. There is no extra benefit of one parent having both in their name as I understand it.
The only effect it has on us is that the 2 payments into our (joint) account are separate and with a fortnight gap.

r.mac_2

SusanC wrote: »

The way we've done it is we made the business into a partnership where we are both self-employed and split the profits 50/50 for tax purposes. I did calculations at the time we changed it of how much tax/NI we would pay like that and it saves over £1000 per year (and it means I am paying NI and therefore can get contribution based benefits). You can also set up a private limited company with you both as shareholders and him as an employee. This isn't worthwhile for us because our income is fairly low so I don't know much about it but I believe it can be worthwhile if your income is high enough to pay the higher rate of tax. If you have it as a partnership where you are both self-employed, you do need to genuinely be doing some work for the business (I do accounts/admin and have records of the hours I've worked) whereas to be a shareholder in a limited company you don't. There was a famous case where the IR tried to get round the shareholder thing but the couple involved eventually won.

thanks - interesting information susan. I'll pass it onto DH.

weezl74 wrote: »

when we go to my mums, she and dad rent us 2 travel cots a hi chair and a double buggy for the week for £25 from a local baby shop.

Is that worth a try?

will look into that.

MFD - by no means did I think you were being smug! I hope I didn't some across like I felt like that nor am I critiscising anyone on here. Everyones circumstaances are sifferent and probably why this has caused so mcuh difficulty for the govt :rotfl::rotfl:

I know that we'll lose it regardless. My point is more general than that.

There is currently a point whereby it substantially increases a familys income to have 2 working parents rather that one non earner and one higher earner. So for example, person 1 is often better getting a job than person 2 getting a promotion tipping them over to the next tax band, thus the outcome of this is discouraging parents to stay at home and care for their children.

If I was in change this is not the situation I would want to encourage as I'm very pro SAHM/Fs. Now I know that some people have to work/like to work/want to work and I have no problem with that, but I also know that there are others who would like to be able to stay at home more/completely. And I think thats a beneficial thing for children and society - but as I said I'm not critiscising anyone's choices, I just feel that this limits some peoples choices.

Now I can get off my soapbox I've not been the most eloquent I know, and stress that this is purely my 'in a perfect world' type idea and is NOT meant to cause anyone offence. Sorry if it has.

From a seperate perspective completely, related to the Child benefit, why should a single mother earning £45k loose DB, while a couple earning £83k keep theirs? Is this a shortsighted why to try and encourage the traditional family unit? Oh dear, my head is spinning now. I need to lie down :rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

tarajayne

As the reporter just said, they have chosen to 'hammer' the middle classes in order to protect low earners and traditional Labour voters.

Sami_Bee

R.mac Do you think A would stay on a readybed? they are about the same size as a sleeping bag once deflated
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Peppa-Pig-First-Ready-Bed/dp/B0019DME7Y

r.mac_2

tara - we have terrible trouble with teeth in this house. Each one that comes creates more drama than the last! But thankfully we are nearly there. Ashton parson powders are great for the dribbles and red cheeks caused by teeth.

r.mac_2

Sami_Bee wrote: »

R.mac Do you think A would stay on a readybed? they are about the same size as a sleeping bag once deflated
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Peppa-Pig-First-Ready-Bed/dp/B0019DME7Y

oooh thats an idea. LO loves Peppa pig too thanks sami

jillie1974

afternoon all

should be at mum&toddler group but Kian went for a nap bout 12 and is still asleep.

been to GP and he's given us Lactulose to give to Kian to help him poo. he suggested i also try a suppository!! which i will not be trying............

the change to CB does seem very one-sided and thoroughly giving advantages to a 'traditional family...mum, dad children'. we need our CB at the moment to pay off our debts but when they are cleared we could 'get by' without it but would be no room for a 'rainy day account' or little treats.

how a single parent who earns £44k loses it and a couple who earn £86k get to keep it is beyond me.

tarajayne

Thanks Rmac, have just givem some. X

Sami, I'm interested in that course, did you do the last one? Has anyone? I think all couples should look at their relationship on a regular basis and work at it. DH is very good at stuff like that.