Any advice - single parent of two spiralling into debt

sadcuckoo

Exodi wrote: »

You earn £4700 a month (or you just skipped doing partner/benefits) - that's insane.

Then you have £1900 a month for childcare - that's even more insane.

To be honest, we're missing the fuller story here.

Why is it insane? No partner, no benefits. Older child goes to a childminder (when not in school), younger is in a nursery full time (a childminder is more expensive for the same hours).

sadcuckoo

Mnd wrote: »

No income from the other parent?

Unfortunately, none.

SweetPotatoPie

You really need to do something to get your outgoings down. Your outgoings are ridiculously high, the longer this goes on, the further into debt you are going to get.
Out of interest - can you not push with your GP/school/nursery for a quicker referral with the speech therapist? Are you on the waiting list? How many sessions for 300 a month?

kazwookie

The other parent SHOULD be paying towards the children, why aren't they?

-taff

Have you checked for cheaper gas and electric? Your grocery bill can also be slashed. Cut down on presents [you could cut it out entirely if you explain to family and friends you just don't have the money]

elsien

Faffing around with gas and electric etc isn't going to make a huge difference.
At some point you are going to get to the stage where however desperately you want the helper and the private speech therapy you just can't afford them, quality of life or not. You're £600 a month short before you even think about debt repayment but still have those costs plus £120 on presents, entertainment and haircuts.
I don't know what the answer is, other than the one that probably you don't want to hear, but your budget isn't sustainable as it is.

Willing2Learn

Mnd wrote: »

No income from the other parent?

elsien wrote: »

Child maintenance?

kazwookie wrote: »

The other parent SHOULD be paying towards the children, why aren't they?

Why is the other parent not contributing toward their costs?
Are you entitled to Child Benefit?

Also, I haven't got a clue what it costs exactly, but have you considered getting an au pair for childcare and domestic duties? Maybe it would be cheaper?

sadcuckoo

SweetPotatoPie wrote: »

Out of interest - can you not push with your GP/school/nursery for a quicker referral with the speech therapist? Are you on the waiting list? How many sessions for 300 a month?

On the waiting list already since last May - got a letter in January 19 confirming that the expected waiting time now is between 21 and 23 months. Sessions are once a week, £65 each.

ViolaLass

sadcuckoo wrote: »

Thanks, I actually had no idea I could get free hours - just checked and it seems to be universal, everyone qualifies.

When will your child be 3 and be able to get their free hours? If it's soon, it would be worth looking at what childcare will cost after that and making some sacrifices to get to that point.

Grumpelstiltskin

I can't understand why if the OP is at work all day the live in help doesn't do the child care, surely not enough housework to keep them busy all day if they appear to be the only person in the house the majority of the time?