Why do working couples choose one to work 16 hours

enthusiasticsaver

It is a fine balancing act getting the right number of hours to minimise childcare costs particularly in the early years. My husband always worked full time and I worked part time with hours varying between 17.5 and full time depending on my children’s ages at the time. When they were both preschool two thirds of my wages went to childcare costs as no tax credits then. If I had not gone back to work within 5 years of my first being born though then being out of the workplace would have affected my grade and hence hourly rate. Part time meant minimal childcare costs and still being available for the children as my husband worked long hours so was no help with childcare. My daughter now expecting her second child has opted to do the same but works 9.30 to 2.30 25 hours to minimise child care costs when both her daughters are in school.

enthusiasticsaver

Do you not qualify for tax credits? If you are paying for more than 1 child and your wife is not on a good salary and you get no tax credits then it might be worth rethinking her working full time.

FBaby

You need to consider the impact of her working/not working in the future too. If she's on NMW and unlikely to ever go up the ladder, either because of not having the right qualifications, lack interest/ambition, then indeed, it might not worth it.

However, she needs to consider what even if there is no financial gain in working currently, there might be benefit in the investment in that her current job could be a stepping stone to earning more in a few years. I know it's hard to look that far ahead, but the feeling you get when you've worked for little financial gain for years but suddenly know you'll be £300-£500 richer every month when the kids finally don't need childcare any longer, is priceless.