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Original poster

Any single parents here worked full time then taken on a second job?

21 replies

Bigfatwiggle · 20/09/2019 21:26

Ex has stopped paying maintenance.....child maintenance are on the case but he is doing everything in his power to avoid paying. I've been told it's going to take a while to get it sorted.
I am struggling to make ends meet and feel my only option is to take a second job.

I'm just wondering if you've done this how did you manage? I'm worried the kids will resent me as it will involve them helping out at home more and being looked after by family a lot. I am looking for better paid work but obviously it takes time. Just looking for advice and how to manage everything.

OP posts:

Original poster

Bigfatwiggle · 21/09/2019 15:18

Bump

OP posts:

ThePhoenixRises · 21/09/2019 15:27

Hoe old are DC?

Original poster

Bigfatwiggle · 21/09/2019 15:43

11 & 12

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ThePhoenixRises · 21/09/2019 15:50

What hours do you currently do?
Are they both secondary school?

Original poster

Bigfatwiggle · 21/09/2019 15:53

Currently do 9-5. Yes both senior school. Was thinking of looking for work at pubs or local restaurants so I can do evenings and weekends

OP posts:

happinessischocolate · 21/09/2019 18:24

What hours do you do at the moment?

I changed jobs and earn £5,000 more per year but my tax credits and hb have reduced so I'm absolutely no better off.

Would you actually be better off?

Check in entitled to website.

I never got a penny from my ex so know exactly how shit that is 🙁

Original poster

Bigfatwiggle · 21/09/2019 19:51

I work full time and earn a fairly decent wage but mortgage is high so him not paying money means I have enough in savings to keep us afloat for now but that's not much. I need at least another £500 a month to make up for his contribution. I get hardly any tax credits any way.

He doesn't care if we lose the house. Prick!

OP posts:

ThePhoenixRises · 22/09/2019 10:24

Can you do anything from home in the evenings?

So you are still around for DC but also earning the top up money you need.

PotteringAlong · 22/09/2019 10:26

Sell the house and move somewhere cheaper?

PotteringAlong · 22/09/2019 10:26

Or extend the term of your mortgage so you reduce payments?

needsahouseboy · 22/09/2019 10:36

Get a lodger in if you have too much can put kids in one room until it’s sorted. That’s what I had to do and far easier than working.

MustardScreams · 22/09/2019 10:38

Yes! I work full time and then freelance on the side. It is horrendous, not going to sugar coat it! But it does afford dd and I a good lifestyle and I would struggle to give that up.

I do work when she’s in bed, and my main job is very flexible so I can go in late and have a lazy morning with her etc. I wouldn’t be able to do it if it wasn’t set up like that.

FAQs · 22/09/2019 10:41

Yep work full time and have an online retail business which only brings in an extra couple of hundred a month but plugs the gap when dds father retired at 50 and reduced maintenance.

Stompythedinosaur · 22/09/2019 10:41

It sounds pretty awful, you'd never see the dc. Wouldn't it be better to downsize? Painful but then you aren't stressing about money every month.

Your ex is a total wanker.

Soontobe60 · 22/09/2019 10:47

I'd be contacting my ,ortgage provider to see if they can extend the term of your loan. That way the payments will be reduced. When your dcs are a bit older, say 16+, then look at overpaying your mortgage to reduce the term again.
If you're working full time, with two boys their age, I'd be trying to stay at home as much as possible.

Original poster

Bigfatwiggle · 22/09/2019 10:56

I can't sell up and downsize or take on a lodger. House is only 2 beds. This area is stupidly expensive and it would mean moving the kids from their school that they are both really settled in.
I've looked into working from home but I'm not sure what exactly I can do. I have very good computer skills/sales experience/am great on the phone. I just don't know how that translates into working from home.
I had a good chat with the kids yesterday and they understand it would be temporary. I might be able to get a new job at work and the promotion would cover the shortfall but that wouldn't be immediate. I need something in the mean time.

OP posts:

Rainbowhairdontcare · 22/09/2019 11:02

Try Liongate it's working for Google . They don't pay much but you can do it in the wee hours. You are expected to do at least 10hrs PW . Pay is £9ph and you pay your own taxes

Stompythedinosaur · 22/09/2019 11:03

Then you will have to do what you have to do, even if it means a second job.

You are being very strong.

Your ex is the absolute pits.

Original poster

Bigfatwiggle · 22/09/2019 11:22

That Google thing sounds doable. I much rather be at home with the kids, just need a guaranteed income. I'll have a look into it. I'm not scared of hard work and will do what needs to be done. It's not my kids fault they were born into this situation. I just need to figure out the practicalities of it all.

OP posts:

incontrolofmyownlife · 22/09/2019 11:23

Any good at ironing OP? People could drop it off and collect it and at least you'll be around at home for the kids

Ironing ladies seem to be popular where I am (and it's not a particularly affluent town).

lpchill · 22/09/2019 11:40

I'm so sorry your in this position. When I was young my mum was put in the same position with 3 kids. A few things that might help maybe.
Do you have a garage you could rent out or a driveway? Loft space you can store things for a fee? You could still take a lodger if you sleep in the lounge (I've seen massive Lego brick type things that can build a temporary wall to section off the lounge into a bedroom)
Look at any refunds you could be due entitleto and moneysavingexpert are great websites. Ie. Do you have a work uniform you wash as you can get a tax refund for previous years. What council tax is your property in? Could get a refund for being in the wrong band.
Depending on how much you need and how soon you could look at changing your banks to one that gives you £100 just for switching. Change gas, electric etc sometimes has cash back. If you have tv and pay tv licensing get rid of sky use Netflix £10 per month you can get rid of the licence.
Paper round for early in the morning or later on at night? Means you can bring your kids along for a walk.
Since Christmas is coming lots of places will here factory,packing staff. Amazon offer extra delivery jobs that are flexible.

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