Can't afford to go to work!

Kayalana99

More of a rant really but perhaps some advice as well...

I have two children under two, the 2nd will be going to Nursery next September for half days and the other one won't be attending for another 2 years due (Eldest will be the youngest in his class and youngest will be the eldest if that makes sense...:o)

Although it would only be for half days...so in reality I am looking at 4 years before they are both in full time education.

I've been offered an interview for full time ~ but I have worked out even with some help of the grandparents for free I would still be paying out £720 a month out of perhaps a £950 wage...

My partner says I should still go for experience and you never know they may offer part time...but I am not wanting to waste their time or mine?

I have been running a small business from home but I just don't have the time to grow it properly from home with the kids ironically... I've started doing my AAT as well so I am hoping that once I start getting though that I might be able to walk into a more £££ job which would allow me to afford childcare... but then without experience it would be lucky if I did!!

shop-to-drop

Have you looked into working around your OH's hours + grandparents help to get out or drastically reduce childcare?

Kayalana99

Thats with grandparents looking after them 2 days a week, mine works full time so its hard for her to even do 1 day and the other will do 1 day for free but she wouldn't do anymore.

OH works 7:30-5:30, I have suggested on getting a part time job in the evenings (in fact not the best job but I used to work at Pizza hut and they would take me back in a heart beat) but its all late nights... ideally I would like to be around to put the kids to bed etc and spend sometime with him -.-...tbh I just want a career more then anything.

I just know this job would be perfect for me its just annoying I won't be able to take it *if* I was offered it.

arbroath_lass

If you are desperate for a career can't your husband stay at home to look after the children?

quidsy

Look at it this way you are currently earning nothing. IF you get the job you will pay out for childcare full time for 18months & earn very little (maybe 1-200 a month) BUT...once kids are in nursery/school you'll have gained valuable work experiences & aren't trying top find a job after being out of the market for 5+ years AND you wont have to pay the same level of childcare costs.

The other thing is you will likely get childcare vouchers so that is a tax free way to cover some of the costs.

If you want a career, then go for it.

comeandgo

If it was a job I really wanted I would go for it. You still have over £200 a month in money but it's the fact you are back in employment doing something you love with opportunity to get wage increases and as your children get older their child minding costs get less. If it does not work out with the job at least you gave it a chance and something else to put on cv.

duchy

If you look at it in pure money terms it won't work til the kids are at school -really it's a case of if your long term plans will suffer from 5 years out of the workplace...... and if they will is "working for £200 a week" worth the short term time investment.

The answer won't be the same for everyone - I found with a husband in a good job part-time actually worked out more cost effective than fulltime as he did the childcare one day so I was only paying for 2 days- Had I worked 5 days it just was paying for childcare and nothing else.

Maybe you should "invest" those 2 days a week free grandparent childcare into growing your business instead ?

All that said-If it was the right job for - for the sake of 18 months I'd go for it personally. I agree with your husband-if you don't go to the interview you'll never know.

Kayalana99

Thanks ~ Never thought about child care vouchers will look into that...perhaps their is hope yet?

For the record, I would get £200 a month (not weekly) after child care but we would lose tax credits which would be more so I would be worse off at work then staying at home.... although thats not taking into account child care vouchers...will look into that :-) (And not just a case of being worse off but not being able to afford the drop)

I wish I could invest the 2 days free childcare...but my business is not valued enough for them to have the kids 8-5. One has them for a good half day and the other takes them to a group for 2 hours atm but she wouldn't have them 8-5 unless I was 'at work'

Ah...and OH won't stay at home with the kids :-)

pelirocco

I'm sorry , I dont understand why its a rant . You have children and it affects your income , its not rocket science.

pelirocco

pelirocco wrote: »

I'm sorry , I dont understand why its a rant . You have children and it affects your income , its not rocket science.

And why should grandparents be expected to look after the children

quidsy

Woudld you not qualify for working tax credits? Might be worth giving the local benefits office a call to discuss other entitlements.