Does anyone live as a family of 6 on 27.5k a year?

[shussh]

After tax out income is 27.5k this also includes child benefit. We have 3 kids and are unexpectedly expecting no.4. I really can't go to work straight away. It will be when you hear is in nursery.

But I'm really worried about how I'm going to cope. We already budget tightly. I'm so worried we're not going to be able to afford simple things like uniforms etc. I just about manage now. My youngest is still a baby himself so he's not yet that "expensive" as it is.

Has anyone got a similar income? Are you managing? We don't get any benefits at all. We have a mortgage which costs £6k a year and no housing benefits or tax credits either.

Where do you live? It would make a big difference in how affordable life will be - do you need to pay London prices? Or are you rural enough to need to run two cars?
Budgeting is tight now but are you also on things like moneysavingexpert to give tips on really frugal living, they also have some good free budget setting tools.

You say you can't work until youngest is in nursery, but is that a all negotiatable? When things are this tight, even some weekend cleaning hours or ironing might help - or something better paid if you have relevant experience or qualifications.

I would get weekend work when partner is at home hotels always want people as do cleaning company’s actually hotels are desperate for people to work ...not only is it extra money it’s also kind of a social life

Why do you not get child tax credit? For 3 dc you can earn up to £40,000 a year and still claim tax credits and for 4 dc it increases to £48,000. Did you not know this or do you choose not to claim.

Maybe they had DC3 after the rules about limiting to 2 came in? But even with 2 'qualifying' DC the OP should be entitled to a little in tax credits? Plus another £50 ish a month CB once DC4 arrives. Every little helps.

Weekend/evening/overnight work so no need to pay for childcare seems like the best suggestion if possible. Even a few hours a week could make a huge difference.

Actually, yes, of course, I could work weekends after day youngest is a year older so.

We don't qualify for child tax credits. I was working last year and I'm still on SMP! 3rd was born after the new rules came into effect which is a bummer as we would have had £3k but anyway I have to deal with what we have.

For hotel cleaning work, could I just contact hotels or would I need to wait for available jobs being advertised. I have no experience in cleaning. Do they usually need someone with experience?

We're luckily not in london- NW so a lot cheaper.