Newly Separated

Breo

• Council tax. is this split over 10 or 12 months {/quote]
  
  Over 10. I asked the council if I could change it and apparently not. They don't allow 12 monthly payments. So I guess I'll just have to look forward to February and March! (Perhaps putting that into the emergency fund I don't have or against the credit card)
  

• Water. Are you on a meter?
• Electric and Gas. Seems a little high. Can you change to a cheaper supplier?

Yes - this will be today's search I think.

[*]Childcare. Will you be able to get childcare vouchers?

Tax Free childcare seems to be the cheapest, so Ive factored in 100 pounds a month, but hopefully I might get a little more. Would rather under estimate though and find myself with a little extra!

[*]Could you take in a lodger for a while to help balance the books?

A nice idea - but right now it would scare me too much. If I knew someone that needed a place it might work, but could not risk my LO being near a stranger right now.

[*]The change in your situation sounds as though you have been through a traumatic time. I can understand the debt is worrying but the most important thing is to ensure you and your baby are safe, warm and sheltered
[*]Do you have family with whom you can discuss your worries? I appreciate that this is not always an easy situation

Thanks - luckily my parents are being amazing. I'm staying with them for a couple of weeks whilst I sort all this out, so at least LO is being extremely well looked after and we are being fed for free!

Thank you again for your kind post. One thing I am learning is that there are kind people out there who are willing to help me get back on track :-)

Breo

MerryGoRoundAvoider wrote: »

I'll weigh in on the childcare. Assuming you're employer doesn't offer CCVs (I think they might be dead to new entrants anyway) the government offer basic tax relief on childcare payments.

Say your childcare provider charges £1000. You pay £800 into your online childcare 'wallet' ran by the government, they top up by 20% and you transfer £1000 to the nursery from the wallet.

My employer still offers vouchers - but the tax free account seems to give me more. I've factored 100 a month into my calculation, but I'm hoping i'd actually get a full 2000 a year so might be a few extra pounds. I've asked the nursery if they accept it, but they've not responded as yet.

In general I'd say the childcare cost is going to hurt you a lot. Do you have family you could lean on a little to help you out? I know that's not ideal but neither is credit card debt.

You are entirely right - its so expensive, but I have no family options (my parents live 5 hours away. I also work long hours so needed somewhere with early drop off/late pick up options and because of my situation security was extremely important to me. On the plus side it includes 3 meals and 2 snacks a day so I only have to make food for her on a weekend which should help save on the grocery bill!

Thanks for your help.
B

Breo

MerryGoRoundAvoider wrote: »

Your energy bills seem expensive, car insurance does seem a little steep but I guess that depends on a whole bunch of factors.

Obviously you should look to ditching unnecessary tv subscriptions asap if you can.

Agree. I need the broadband and phone, but the movies package will probably have to go after Christmas. (will have to record the disney channel 24/7 until then and build up a library for LO haha)

What's the deal with the union fee? Do you actually get anything for that aren't unions some sort of archaic thing? (Seriously I've never worked for an employer with a union - I've worked for 5 businesses over a 20 year period). If it's not giving you £26 of value each month I'd consider ditching that?

I think I need this - I have used the services several times, and it offers things like legal insurance which i need for my job. [/quote]

Lastly you are going to need help day to day do you have friends or family that can look after baby and give you a little respite occasionally?

This is the bit that worries me. I have no friends with children and my family live a long way away. HIs family are close by, but its too difficult at the moment and i couldn't leave her alone with them. I need more mummy friends, but everything I look at online costs money - the groups meet at soft play or in cafes. There must be free things but its finding them.

Thanks for your help B x

Breo

es5595 wrote: »

I know a lodger has been mentioned, but if you’ve got a spare room, it might be worth looking at an au-pair (or au-pair plus).

They would be a singnificant saving on your current childcare bill, and they would still be able to look after your lo if they are ill, in the evenings etc

Thanks - perhaps one to think about in the future but right now I would not feel safe with someone I don't know in the house.
B

kelpie35

You sound as if you are trying your very best for you and you daughter.

Is there a possibility that you might be able to get a job nearer your own family and then you would have support.

Is there also a possibility that you could sell the house and make a fresh start somewhere where you feel safe.

Breo

kelpie35 wrote: »

You sound as if you are trying your very best for you and you daughter.

Is there a possibility that you might be able to get a job nearer your own family and then you would have support.

Is there also a possibility that you could sell the house and make a fresh start somewhere where you feel safe.

Moving house is the long term plan. If I could shave 2 or 300 off my mortgage I think I would be a lot better off. But that will come after the divorce/financial settlement I guess. Which could make me even worse off than I am now. I'm trying not to worry too much until I see a legal advisor, but I'm concerned about how much I will have to pay him out even though he has never contributed financially to the family. He has looked after the baby full time for almost 2 years.

zippygeorgeandben

I just want to wish you the best of luck Breo.

Wobblydeb

Would it be worth asking your mortgage provider for a capital repayment holiday? Some are willing to offer 6 months, and it would give you time to drive down the credit card balance, and get closer to when you get the 30 hours free childcare.

Also - do you definitely need the life assurance? Many companies include it as part of the employment/pension package. Definitely worth checking!

Best of luck x

pmlindyloo

If there is no chance of reconciliation and no chance of mediation where you can sort out finances then your priority must be to see a solicitor.

Your baby's father should be paying child support and this would help you with your finances. I know this is 'raw' for you but your ex does have responsibilities towards your child.

I am also wondering if you could speak to your mortgage company and see if they would put you on a 'holiday', or interest only or reduced payments for a while until you sort your finances. Worth a try.

There is an article about childcare costs on this website which might be orth a read. Do a search for it.

I agree about a water meter and your utilities.

It's good you have family support and I hope everything works out for you.

Wobblydeb

Breo wrote: »

Thanks - the insurance is building and contents, is it still huge? It seemed the cheapest when I got it, but perhaps I've overestimated the amount of coverage I needed.

On a house purchased for £280k I pay £135 / year. (Legal & General Defaqto 5 star rating). Even paying monthly shouldn't add that much to the cost.

Your original valuation will tell you how much the reinstatement value is, which is usually a lot less than the purchase price.