HELP 2 babies in 14 mnths now cant return to work what can i claim ?

shop-to-drop

jellyhead wrote: »

As a lazy mare I'd just like to add ... if having 2 young children means you don't feel up to working for a couple of years that's fine - don't feel guilty just because some people on here think you shouldn't get tax credits for sitting on your backside.

I got the impression from the OP that she doesn't think that tax credits and child benefit along with her OH's wage will be enough to cover their outgoings and so she needs a wage unless there is another way to increase their income.

charlieann

fannyanna wrote: »

Plus you will have accrued a whole years holiday whilst you've been off on maternity so that's nearly a months worth.

Unfortunately that is not the case for teachers, not sure about other school staff. OP mentioned working in a school but not their role.

OP- contact HR dept and ask about childcare vouchers, also check with your OH's work. A lot of employers buy into schemes where the vouchers are deducted rfom wages before tax, making them cheaper.
They would also be able to advise the date you would need to return to be able to take your next mat leave.

Check the online tax credits calculator. You may be entitled to the childcare element, which would help pay some of the nursery fees.

moneysavingfamilycomp

thanks again for replys my plan at the min i think is to give up work and look into doing something from home, not quite sure what yet, to help out. im not sure childminding will help as theres a limit on the amount of very young children you can look after (i think its 3 under 3 yrs) so with having 2 of my own would mean i could only take one more, and also we have a dog who is a bit mad although hes harmless im not sure id get approved for childminding. im very good at crafts so im thinking maybe making things to sell online but not sure how much that would make.by my calculations baby is due 2nd oct and as DD was prem due to probs i have im not sure docs would be happy with me working for the first couple of weeks of sept. i work in a school kitchen so extra hours etc are not an option infact i think i may be on less hours when i go back as the hours are worked out on the amount of children who have a school meal. it also means i dont accrue holidays etc whilst on maternity. iv checked my maternity pay and i would have to pay back my OMP that i recieved for the 12 weeks which is equivalent to 6 weeks pay i still have money that we saved before hand so i can do that.and i only need to give them notice 28 days in advance so i can wait till the last minute, im very aware that things can go wrong as iv had miscarriages before DD but i try not to think about it as it drives you mad so i find it better just to be positive and plan for when baby comes. iv checked out childcare DD is already registered and deposit payed etc we worked out that we were better off claiming help through tax credits than chilcare vouchers through OHs work but it was still taking a large chunk of my wage to pay the extra we would get a discount for 2 children but the amount we would have to pay is still more than i earn so not financially viable. so i think thats it for now oh and then budget,budget,budget. i better start researching the other boards for ideas.

BitterAndTwisted

Check out the Old-Style part of the forum and the cheap-family-recipes.org website.

daska

Well haven't you chosen the ideal weather to start practicing turning the thermostat down LOL. You'll find a lot of ideas and support on the 'tougher' thread. Good luck, if you're determined you'll find ways to cope.

euronorris

Congratulations OP!

You will get through this, with determination and some planning.

Budget is the first thing, as others have said, and the OS forum, and the cheap family recipes site are great suggestions too.

What about the 'Up your income' thread too? May give you some good ideas of how to boost your income.

And what about a declutter - selling things on Ebay?

Can the hubby start putting in some overtime already? Allowin you to save some money before the baby's arrival?

How much of your DD's stuff can you hold onto and re-use for this baby?

Check out Freecycle for other things too.

Those are just things off the top of my head, so I am sure with some careful thought and planning, you will be absolutely fine!

x

euronorris

Oh yes, making and selling things online is a great idea too!

OH and I just bought a Rubix Cube tissue box cover from Ebay, that we saw on The Big Bang Theory! It's needlework, and they sell the kits too (another thing you could do), but I don't have the skills to do it yet. They are created by a couple in the US, and if they can do something like that and make some money, then so can you!

shop-to-drop

I'm a little confused about childcare. Are you planning to still put DD in nursery even though you will not be working? If so I don't think you'll get the tax credit help for childcare so you may need to rethink.

moneysavingfamilycomp

shop-to-drop wrote: »

I'm a little confused about childcare. Are you planning to still put DD in nursery even though you will not be working? If so I don't think you'll get the tax credit help for childcare so you may need to rethink.

no sorry should of explained better the nursery has a really long wait list places need to be organised well in advance so id already sorted that out ready for september. but she wont be going if im not working.

HRV

HI OP- firstly BIG HUGS- I know that feeling- I ahve 7 month twins-you make your plans- we did- we could 'afford' a baby and then u get 2 (just in slightly diff way to me). I am a teacher and also had mine prem. I am returning to work but i imagine i earn mor ethan you- fortunately u sound like u will manage with the help of tax credits. I can recall that moment they told me there were 2 like it was yesterday- I was hysterical- not coz of 2 because of money...

A few money saving things that have helped me...
-washable nappies (purchased 2nd hand- my councel gives some cashback too),
-using flannels for hands and face not wipes, charity shops/ebay (ul be able to reuse some- sadly not with twins- I have labelled boxes for things purchased in next sizes- ebay is a treat if i need something specific),
-dont buy a fancy tandem buggy like an i candy u wont use it for long and is heavy- I love my side by side baby jogger and I now have a 2nd hand (off ebay) phil n teds now they can use the lower seat for when i go shopping/ places where space is short,
-use your children's centre (and other ones doesnt have to just be ur local one)
-homestart- if u have a scheme in ur area u can get a voluteer for a few hours a week to help u out getting places- google it for the website
- if ur on a low wage u might get sure start grant?? and poss vitamins

U could consider just doing after school child minding- I know a lady who had her 2 v close n she just has a couple of kids after school and is free to be with her own kids in the day- she's now taken a full time child now her oldest is a nursery 15 hours- also think the dog prob can be solved so dont rule it out

Good luck with it- you can do it :j