baby 3. no money?!

[stan22]

So we found out today my wife is pregnant with baby number 3.
Do not get me wrong there is nothing I would love more than another child but realistically... I don't know if we can do it?

I earn £18,000 a year
Our rent alone is £475 a month.
Plus 2 kids already.
My wife was hoping to get a job once the youngest went to school (we have no help with childcare what so ever)

I'm not looking for options really, we will have to baby. But does anyone have a low income and large family that could give us some tips?

[Artandco]

Would it not be better for you both to work, then pay for childcare? Any chance of a change in job or pay rise?

[stan22]

We have looked into us both working previously, and most of her wage would go on childcare. And after us both travelling to work and nurseries/childminder/after school care pick up.

It doesn't leave us with much more over

[TellMeDani]

Have you checked what housing benefit and child tax credit you would be entitled to? this page here may help.

What are your chances of pay rise? could you study or work for promotion?
could your wife study while the DC's are babies and go back to a school hours job once the DC's are bigger?

As well as your rent it would depend on your council tax and bills, I pay our council tax over 12 months instead of 10 just to keep the monthly installment manageable, I also shop around for all the insurances, gas and electric.

[prettywhiteguitar]

Check what you are entitled to first, then budget like crazy ! I had a really really strict food budget and made lots from scratch, emptied the cupboards and had homemade pizza, we had a woof burning stove which was very cost effective during winter.
Go through every outgoing, we actually got rid of the car for a year and it saved us so much hassle.

In terms of long term a lot of my friends and I have done in the past have worked at the local preschool which works when your baby will be 2.5, school hours so your dew can do drop offs etc.

Can you batten down the hatches for three years and get through it

[Ragwort]

Can one of you work evenings/weekends so that the other is available for child care - not ideal I know but many of us have no other option.

[ImperialBlether]

I've worked out your entitlements on the Entitled To website and it comes to £13,799.46 per year, which includes tax credits, housing benefit and child benefit. Get onto the website and put your figures in.

[Princesspinkgirl]

You might be able to get help with your rent if your income is now go have a look on the website entitled to it'll help your rent is the same as mine as I can get £30 a month help with housing benefit