Can't afford to work but really want to, any ideas?

mickeyfinn1

Thank you everyone for your replies, certainly some good ideas.

I do want a job rather than to study but that would be a 2nd choice.

Things are more complicated as oh is in the forces so is away up to 7 months at a time and we live in quarters so all the friends I have made are in similiar situations, ie at home with children, not in work and unable to babysit in the evenings. They all also are pregnant or with new babies so we can't swap childcare. There is a sure start centre but there are no creches in this county!

I would like a job out of the house, away from children to have something for me that isn't related to children or housework!

Our eldest qualifies for 15 hours free nursery in Jan 2013, oh buys the childcare vouchers through his work. To be honest though I am going stir crazy. I had a good career before and at this point can't go back to it due to oh being away and the travelling my job required and I feel frustrated with the lack of mental stimulation.

We have simplified our lives so we can afford to live on one income but we have no spare cash so to work and lose money in the process is an indulgence we can't afford despite it being what I need.

euronorris

What about something like Avon or Betterware? Maybe you could get in contact with a local rep, and ask to just come along and help out at first. Make sure it's something you would like to do, before committing?

My SIL felt similar to you when their children were younger. She found a part time job with the local school, doing admin, billing type tasks. I'm not sure how the childcare worked out in that situation though. Maybe, if there is a similar role available in your area, they could have a creche they'd be happy to let you make use of?

Is there another role you could perform in your chosen career? One that doesn't require so much travelling, but would pay more than the local jobs? Maybe you could take a side step on your career, rather than progressing it at this point?

And, are you 100% certain that you couldn't get a better wage in the area? Have you contacted all companies in the are that you could work for and asked if they have positions available? ANd then confirmed the salary on offer?

What about jobs in the quarters? Is free childcare, or reduced childcare available if you're working in the quarters? I don't know how things work exactly in quarters, so I'm just making suggestions here.

Err....what did my Mum do.....she worked part time in a doctor's surgery, but we were at school by then.

It might be a case of having to busy yourself in other ways, until they are benefitting from cheaper childcare or are in school.

Sorry I couldn't be more help.

princessdon

There are jobs out there, sadly just few and far between. I am in a very similar position and work at the moment because my employment is flexible. Being honest, I work(ed) for peanuts for 5 years after paying childcare, but I did it because I prefer to work.

It's certainly not easy, and even when the kids are in school it presents new challenges for people like you and I. I hope something comes up for you

SandC

Fitness instructor? Get qualified to teach aerobics and suchlike, then you just do whatever short courses you fancy (step, zumba etc.). Hours can be as little as one hour a week if that's all you want to do. Very sociable and very flexible.

Daytime classes have overtaken early evening ones at my gym and a colleague says it's the same at his place. Quite hard to mould a full time career out of it but perfect for someone who wants only a few hours per week that can pretty much suit them.

coinxoperated

Lunch lady at a school? Call centre part-time work? Sales normally snap up part-timers and if your good at it, it can make you a fortune!

Person_one

Dog walking?

People need them right in the middle of the day and depending on where you live you could charge between £10 and £15 per dog per hour, taking up to 4 dogs at a time.

Walking dogs is a great way to meet people too.

You wouldn't necessarily have to start your own business, maybe get in touch with a few in the area and see if they were thinking of expanding?

ska_lover

After childcare bills it probably won't be worth it financially, and when you come home after a days work to the housework still needing to be done and kids need sorting - you might ask yourself why you bother.

Racheldevon

Your local sure start children's centre will be highly likely to have a requirement by the local authority to support forces families - why not get in touch and ask them about any specific services (they may not be advertised particularl). For example, there might be funding available for childcare via a scheme called "2gether funding" but you would have to meet certain criteria - usually by being on one of several benefits, and then the local authority set their own criteria - in Devon being a forces family is one of many. This wouldn't provide long term childcare though.

Also you might want to consider calling your local authority Early Years Service who can advise on childcare, and may link you into a childcare referral advisor service (if one exists in your local area).

I wonder too, whether you can access anything through the Forces camp/welfare/support team etc?

zippybungle

ska_lover wrote: »

After childcare bills it probably won't be worth it financially, and when you come home after a days work to the housework still needing to be done and kids need sorting - you might ask yourself why you bother.

This is very true
I've worked since I was 16, but after having my 3rd child, I took a years maternity leave and then a 2 year career break from my current employers because it would have cost me more in childcare for 3 children than I would have received from work. (not entitled to any tax credits)

I went back to work (4 days per week) when my youngest child qualified for the freebie nursery sessions (I think it's something like 15 hours per week free) as that made going back to work far more worthwhile (and my 2 other Children were both in infant school by then too). I am still paying out over £350 per month in childcare though.....

I've been back at work for over a year now, and my goodness it is tough! :eek: there are not enough hours in the day and I am still struggling now.

So what I am trying to say is that I don't think it is worth it until at least one of your Kids gets the freebie nursery sessions after their 3rd Birthday (unless you get a very well paid job). If you just miss the adult conversation, I would make an effort to join different parent/toddler groups.

Zippy x

jason1231972

mickeyfinn1 wrote: »

I am in the position where I left work while pregnant with my first child as the job required endless travel which was not viable with having a family. I have since had another child so have 2 children under 3.

My partner is in full time employment and has a decent wage. We do not recieve any benefits.

My predicament is that I would LOVE to work but due to my partners unusual hours / time away I can only commit to part time, daytime hours. In addition to this we have no family nearby who can help with child care so we have to pay nursery which would be £64 a day for 2 children.

We live in a region notorious for low salaries and all the jobs are minimum wage which would not cover child care costs never mind travel expenses. in shirt, it would cost us money if I were to work.

Has anyone else been in this position? Does anyone have any ideas? I would love a little job, there was one came up but I didn't even get a reply! When i chased it up they said i was over qualified, we would have been _£50 a week worse off if I had got it but I need something outwith the house!

Working Tax Credit and Child Tax Credit can help with the cost of 1) just having children in the first place and 2) going out to work without it being worthless.

You state that your OH has a good salary, but TC may still be an option. I don't know the limits involved, but it's quite feasible to have a *reasonably* high salary and still have some entitlement (even a small one) to WTC and/or CTC.

Have a look at http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyTaxAndBenefits/TaxCredits/index.htm and run some figures through, both for your current situation (OH alone may have an entitlement), plus a hypothetical work situation where you're paying childcare costs.