FTM on a mission

Abz12

@Deledted_User Thank you for posting, how do i go about doing this please? I haven't heard of this before.

[Deleted User]

Tax-Free Childcare: Govt scheme gives up to £2,000 per child - MSE (moneysavingexpert.com) this is worth reading but

basically you pay 80% of your childcare fees into a Gov tax free childcare account, the gov then adds 20%, you then make the payment to the childcare provider directly from this account. 

if you scroll down a bit on the MSE article though it says  'If you've got an annual family income under £40,000ish, you're working (or both working, if in a couple) and you pay for childcare, you could claim back up to 85% of your childcare costs through universal credit. You can't claim this AND Tax-Free Childcare so before you even consider the latter it's worth checking if you're eligible for universal credit, as it's likely it'll cover more of the cost.'

Abz12

Thank you - I will have a read. I'm not sure if I will be eligible for UC. I have used two different websites and they both said different amounts. I don't fully understand the benefit system tbh, i have never had to claim and it seems (from what i have read and experienced so far) it favours people who don't want to work. One calculation i did said i would be much worse off (over 300 PCM) if i went back to work and put the baby into childcare! The thing is i want to work?! I tried to contact Citizens Advice so i could talk to someone but was told they aren't taking referrals in my local area? 

Abz12

Morning diary - yesterday was a NSD (2nd of the month) Ate planned meals and did some stuff around the house, caught up with work and studied.

Another day that should be NSD. No more bills have gone out so bank account looks healthy. More surveys completed on PA, although it was slightly quieter yesterday and im 150 points away from cashing out on You Gov. Didn't have a very good nights sleep last night so feeling tired today. 

Have a good day all :-)

Abz12

Another NSD for me yesterday (3 now) i love a good challenge. Had planned meals, bacon bagel for breakfast, jacket pots for lunch and spag carbonara for dinner, plus i saved a portion for lunch today. Now i write that out, all very carby!! Its all i have in until i do a shop on friday night for the next lot of meals.

Did some more jobs round the house yesterday, in between work. Put the outdoor furniture cushions in the shed and attempted to cut down a tree that has fallen into my garden from a neighbour. Unfortunately it was too big for me, nows the time i really need a man. Will wait for my elderly neighbours to return from holiday and ask if they can assist me. I also tried to burn the wood left over from the old shed, which i dismantled in the summer, its currently sitting at the bottom of the garden looking like an eyesore. Just as i had put it all in the metal bin my neighbours decided to put their washing out! I also think its too wet for a fire but i need to get rid of it soon before im too big.

No further DD's have come out of the bank yet so balance remains the same, looking very healthy. I also have 74 left in misc fund. As i round up my pennies on this account i also have 35.35 as christmas spends. This is what i love about the MSE community it gives you ides on how to correctly manage your money and you stay conscious. You end up making every penny work and stretch. Once im out of this hole and on the other side i don't want to leave! Heres hoping i can keep it up when the baby comes.

Made some extra money on PA again last night, currently have 65.30 to cash out and 13.75 pending. As soon as i get to 100 i will transfer to the MAT fund and add the total to my signature. 

Had two promotional rates through the door yesterday for loans, ripped them straight up. A relative of mine has offered to lend me 15k for my mat leave, just to top up my SMP if i can't get any additional benefits in this time and also to cover any additional months i want to take off at the end. I was shocked but don't know what to say as i feel bad borrowing more money and also will have childcare to pay once im back to work fulltime. Whats everyones thoughts on lending from family? 

shell16

Abz12 said:
A relative of mine has offered to lend me 15k for my mat leave, just to top up my SMP if i can't get any additional benefits in this time and also to cover any additional months i want to take off at the end. I was shocked but don't know what to say as i feel bad borrowing more money and also will have childcare to pay once im back to work fulltime. Whats everyones thoughts on lending from family? 

Morning Abz

I personally think Family lending rather than borrowing on credit is better but as you say its more money to find and pay back especially when you have to factor in childcare.

I would speak to the family member and ask what they see a repayment plan would look like for them and then decide if you could factor this into your budget?  It will then show you if you would be able to financially take up their offer.

Thats my opinion but Im sure others that may have been or are currently in the same situation will be able to comment and advise further?

Shell x

Abz12

Happy Friday all! 

Another NSD day yesterday, dinner eaten from home. Not much done last night as I'm not sleeping too well atm. Between dead legs and toilet trips i feel like im only getting a few hours! 

Quick bank balance check confirmed the council tax went out yesterday. still on track for my estimated left over income. Chased my friend yesterday for the money i lent last month but still nothing yet. I really dislike chasing people to repay money that i have lent them, lesson learnt i think!

In between work yesterday i did quite a lot of surveys on swagbucks and also after reading anothers diary on here joined Crowdology. Have not had one successful survey on there yet though. 

Off shopping later with my meal plan in mind so know i will stay in budget. 

gymgirl11

I understand what you mean by the dead leg and toilet trips. I had to use the bathroom 3 times last night and come 6:15am I had given up and just decided to get on with the day. 

It's always a tricky situation when lending money to a friend. You can see why people decide against lending out money and why there are such strong views against it! 

Abz12

Good Morning diary. 

It didn't feel right not updating you yesterday but i had a good reason...i had my scan and found out im expecting a little girl! :-) Everything is all ok with growth and i couldnt be happier. Not very MSE as i went out for a celebration meal to the tune of 45 but hey how often do you find out you are having a baby girl. 

The weekend was very MSE and i had another NSD sunday. Saturday i did a huge food shop and spent under my shopping budget and now have enough food to last me through until next pay day. I have been hitting the surveys and also got my family signed up! Fingers crossed on those referral codes and cash coming through. 

I have also been reading others diaries and found one that really resonated with me, i was inspired to join a few more survey sites and also a focus group site of which i have my first 40 study tonight! This money will be put towards some xmas shopping i have just started (only buying for the kids) and Very had a sale on last week on kids toys. Three children for 44 is a bargain i think. 

Have a good day all. 

gymgirl11

Awww, congratulations on finding out you're having a girl.. welcome to the baby girl club!