Only freedom will do

Karmacat

I was thinking exactly of the phrase that SSS brought forward. I love that saying.

LadyGnome

Debsnewbudget wrote: »

I have just been talking to a mortgage advisor and commented that I understood we are all 3 pay days away from being out on our ears
He commented back that recent research has shown the majority of people are only 14 days away from running out of money
Its a sobering thought. I inow I used to work with people who didnt have enough money to buy toilet rolls the week before pay day, but apparently its got worse.

I have often heard people use the phase that we are all one payslip from disaster and it seems for many people that is the case.
However, a lot of the people who are in power of all political hues are not it this position. I doubt any leader of a major political party would be heading to a food bank if they didn't get paid next month. I wonder if they really comprehend how how precarious life is for many people.

edinburgher

Let's not go off on a tangent about MP's/Minister's expenses, but yes, I suspect you're right LadyGnome

Very small changes can make a massive difference, even when you have an ok job. A perfect example of this would be a letter that we received yesterday stating that our nursery fees were going up by £3/day. I can come to terms with that - employer is making sure they offer the living wage and I think that's the least they can do for the wonderful girls who look after DD.

For us - it's roughly £3*2*51*0.67 extra (£205.02/year or £17.09/month) - DD only attends 2 days a week and we can use salary sacrifice to pay for it.

For someone earning exactly the same, but with 2 children in full-time, it's £2.85*2*5*51 extra (£1,453.50/year or £121.13/month) - Mr and Mrs Bloggs now £121.13/month worse off at the stroke of a pen as they were already claiming max salary sacrifice.

Could I find an extra £100+ for something so simple? Probably not if I'm honest....

edinburgher

Sweet - Mrs E change of hours signed off - works out like a +7% increase to our income after childcare. Better than a poke in the eye

chumpy45

I remember the days of paying childcare, originally for the 3 DSs followed by a short gap, and then paying for DS4 and it is very painful. We have never had family nearby so were dependent upon childminder/breakfast and after school clubs. Somehow we survived and are now at the other end supporting them with Uni fees :rotfl: It is a real challenge. I just wish I had known then what I have since learned from these diaries.

edinburgher

It is tough, I think that we are very lucky compared to most people. It is scary that the government is trying to erode the current system of childcare vouchers with the cheaper (for them) tax free childcare scheme.

AlexLK

Childcare is such a large expense for a lot of parents and a small amount can add up.

I am quite fortunate that my son has cost us very little in childcare fees. He did attend a nursery for a year and a term before starting school for two afternoons per week. When I start my course in September, he is going to go to my cousin's after school which he will love and will not cost us any money. So far activities have also been very cheap. We pay for him to attend a children's orchestra but apart from that the other activities he does are free (music, riding). Certainly would recommend using your own / other family members or friends skills. Does work both ways though as I am teaching one of my cousin's children to play piano for free in exchange for my son learning to ride for free.

Suffolk_lass

AlexLK wrote: »

Childcare is such a large expense for a lot of parents and a small amount can add up.

I am quite fortunate that my son has cost us very little in childcare fees. He did attend a nursery for a year and a term before starting school for two afternoons per week. When I start my course in September, he is going to go to my cousin's after school which he will love and will not cost us any money. So far activities have also been very cheap. We pay for him to attend a children's orchestra but apart from that the other activities he does are free (music, riding). Certainly would recommend using your own / other family members or friends skills. Does work both ways though as I am teaching one of my cousin's children to play piano for free in exchange for my son learning to ride for free.

My Sister-in-law used to collect our Son from school at the end of the day (when he was 4-6) and was supposed to go over his reading and arithmetic with him and give him his tea. One day, in the school holidays while I was off with him, the Australian soap that used to be on at tea-time came on and he joined in with the theme tune and knew all the words. A little bit of questioning and it emerged he had been primed to reassure us but was in fact, doing no reinforcement of any learning and they were just watching TV! I was quite shocked and quietly made alternative arrangements with a trusted friend...

AlexLK

At the moment he goes to my cousin's two evenings per week in preparation for September. He doesn't really do much academically at their house, to be honest. No TV though, he's out helping with horses or things that need doing on their land.

edinburgher

I don't have friends or family members whose skills I can leverage, although MIL is a very loving and attentive babysitter. She's a wee bit prone to watching TV with DD, but as she's 60+, I can absolutely appreciate that! DD has a packed schedule at nursery and has play dates, swimming, outdoor time and lots of time for crafts with Mum and Dad - a bit of TV doesn't detract from that