WHY can't anything ever go RIGHT???

immoral_angeluk

chappers wrote: »

But surely as a short term stop gap during the holidays its the answer to the problem, there was never any talk about generating extra money just about paying for childcare and surely the money you are throwing at your debts could wait for acouple of months until the nippers are back at school in term time.
Sometimes one thing has to give to achieve another and personally speaking I would say your CAB training is far more important than paying your debts off for 6 weeks.

Oh I see what you mean. You are right... We've only got 3 debts now so you're right.. having a break for a bit won't hurt...

floss2

immoral_angeluk wrote: »

.... We literally have nothing else. Yes we use all our spare money to pay off the card but if that's used for childcare we would literally have no spare money whatsoever...

But hun, that's what a lot of people have to do.....they have to live with no spare money. Lots of us, including you & Ste, have been there.

And which would you rather have, cash to spend now, or an investment in your personal development & your family's future?

Life is hard, everyone has to make choices and some are driven by factors we can't influence - a bit like your nursery funding.

Floss x

chevalier

I know that this is not ideal, but what about early morning cleaning. I used to do BHS from 5am to 8am, if you did something similar 5 days a week then that would get you over wftc threshold. Or can you get more hours at Argos? Eg on Sunday (and yes I know this is pants)?

Don't forget that Ste is allowed to take unpaid time off work because your children are under 5, you get 12 weeks entitlement.

I know you said that Ste mum works all the hours, but could she have a day or two holiday just to help out this time?

chev

barnaby-bear

immoral_angeluk wrote: »

Oh I see what you mean. You are right... We've only got 3 debts now so you're right.. having a break for a bit won't hurt...

Debt is bad if you can't service it, if it's increasing it etc.... and if it's arising from day to day expenses.... you've run up debts in the past on a fine collection of electronic noo-nahs etc.... it's very different to investing in training and qualification that stands a good chance of doubling your potential earning (Aside from the not being mind-numbingly dull)... the government recommends practically every 18 year old rack up some debts (unfortunately regardless of whether it does them or me any good! :rolleyes: ) for 'qualifications'. I think the CAB is a smart move, delaying it until September is an option, missing 2 weeks in the summer (normal people have holidays!) all options - they may well be very understanding. Having seen the figures for how many people do go onto be employed by the CAB and the salaries I think it makes financial sense provided it doesn't cause a disaster.

For now just think about the next couple of weeks - go to the first session - once you see how the land lies there maybe other ways round things and you'll know who you are dealing with; you've got the pub shift and the Argos and keep banging the applications in - you only need *one* job that fits in.

I think you're providing a fantastic role model for your kids and I don't think 2 afternoons a week training is actually selfish at all - a lot of parents plonk their kids in front of the TV day in day out for far longer.

Molanole

I_A - you've probably investigated all this stuff already but might these sites be any use? No idea whether you'd be eligible or not but taking a look won't hurt. I'm thinking additional financial support for training and/or study might help take the pressure off affording childcare?

Linky to princes trust

Linky to direct gov financial help for adult learners page

skint_spice

sounds like your head is spinning right now IA, as everyone has said you have lots of options and noone else's life is ever as perfect as it may seem but you've a lot of good stuff going on in yours too.
I went back to work fulltime when DS was one and I don't think he's suffered for it - never met a happier, more sociable child! I would love to have been a SAHM though but option wasn't there.
Take your time, talk it through with Ste and weigh up ALL your options. you've got a few days at least to think about it so don't rush it! having said that even if you make the wrong decision now I'm fairly sure - as long as you haven't sold the kids to settle the debt - you'll have time further down the line to try other options. Good luck with whatever you decide.

CRANKY40

There are two ways of getting your nursery funding paid if dd is going to a private nursery. The first is the way you say which is not to pay for certain weeks. The second, which I do is to pay in full and receive a cheque back three times a year for the equivalent of the grant.

If you selected the second way, then you would be able to present a full nursery bill to tax credits and have it 80% paid. You could let them know of the change when you get the first cheque back. This would mean that dd's nursery attendance for the start of your course would be paid.

Maybe worth a thought if it would give you time to juggle your finances to suit the situation.