Hopefully lightbulb moment...

One-step-at-a-time

Music Magpie is OK for selling books - you can scan the barcodes first and figure out if it's worth your while. I scanned everything we wanted to ditch that was in good condition, put aside everything that they would pay over 25p for and then sorted it into piles. You have to have over £5 worth to send them and the package needs to weigh less than 5kg. I sent two boxes and made around £17.

Mr87

2020Lightbulb said:

Thank you all for the tips ref selling, much appreciated. 
Ref the car, I appreciate it might seem excessive. But I couldn't car share as on no one else does my hours (full time, but still doing the morning part of school run) 

Does your job have the potential for flexible working? Ie work from home. Maybe doing 5 days in 4 if you can hack it. I've been doing this for my own job and it makes a massive difference to commuting costs. You don't need to give a reason to your employer why you want flexible working, you have a statutory right to request it (if you're entitled) and the employer has to consider this fairly. You could request a trial period. Search request flexible working and you'll find the govt website with guidance.