AIBU?
to give up work, warning, tax credits involved!
monkeyfacegrace · 31/03/2011 15:44
Ok all, Im getting myself all muddled so I cant think straight! Please help!
At the moment, I work 16 hours per week. My kids, 4 & 2 go to nursery while Im at work, and the government pay 80% (soon to be 70%) of my childcare.
I earn £400 wages, and get £660 every 4 weeks TC. My childcare costs are £450 per month on average for both kids (vary due to month lenghts, my 4 yr old grant etc). So I get £1060, minus £450 nursery, and the nursery and work are in the next town, so I spend £100 p.month on diesel to get there and back. Leaves me with £500ish(?!)
If I give up work, and pull kids out of nursery (except eldest who will do her 15 hours free), I worked out via TC calculator, I will get £450 per 4 weeks, then I will work a little 4 hour shift every week to earn an extra £100 p.month.
Now on one hand I feel like a scrote and a 'benefit grabber', but as my DH points out, Im actually saving the government money as they pay for so much childcare so I can work. My youngest will miss out on 1 1/2 days nursery that he gets now, but at the moment I feel like I never get quality time with him 
What do you wise lot think?
minipie · 31/03/2011 15:52
Depends really.
Do you enjoy working? Or would you rather be at home all the time?
Do DCs enjoy nursery?
If you stopped work now, and wanted to return to work when the DCs were at school, would you be able to easily?
Will you earn more in the future if you keep working now?
What about if benefit levels change?
I guess what I'm saying is you have to look at the long term and the enjoyment factor as well as just the short term £ question.
I'm leaving the "benefit grabbing" aspect entirely to one side.
Desperateforthinnerthighs · 31/03/2011 15:58
I personally wouldnt give up work to reply on the tax credits - what if they totally overhaul the system and payments change etc etc..........16 hours a week is a great balance - you get to go to work and earn your own money yet still have loads of quality time with the kids.
Dont rely on the government for your money - you may find yourself up shit creek without a paddle!
monkeyfacegrace · 31/03/2011 16:01
The problem is the 16 hours are right in the middle of the day, 12-4 in 4 shifts a week. So we have to leave the house at 10.30am, and get home at 5.30pm. Its full days really, no time to ever go swimming/park etc.
My 4 yr old will stay at 15 hours preschool, and my 2 yr old will only miss out until September when he will be 2yrs 9 months and can start preschool himself, which is oodles cheaper than nursery.
Id be fucked anyway if TC went tits up as they pay my childcare, so without them I couldnt work anyway.
Im only in retail, and have a good cv spanning 7 years at management level, so when they are both at school in 2013, I could work 20 hours or so, and tbh Im not fussy, Id work in a supermarket to put food on the table.
I guess Im just trying to figure out why Im always rushing round for minimum wage, when I dont really need to be.
monkeyfacegrace · 31/03/2011 16:19
He works in accounts but is looking for a better paid job atm. He sees the kids for an hour in the morning and an hour when he gets home and weekends. Though my eldest has a different dad, so I only see her every other weekend too. Gah its so hard!
princessparty · 31/03/2011 16:29
I'd do what YOU want to do and what's best for your family.It depends how much you enjoy your job/ getting out of the house.You might find you save a bit of money as so many things are a trade off between time and money.For example sourcing cheaper groceries/clothes ,cooking from scratch.
There is no shame in claiming benefits/tax credits you are entitled to..I wouldn't factor future events into your equation too much as you don't know whether your job will exist, your husband will get promotion,how tax credits will be structured etc.
Drizzela · 31/03/2011 16:30
1, I am not happy to pay for you to spend even more 'quality time' with your child.
2, I actually don't blame you I blame a ridiculous system where people are actually better off for not working.
3, It would set a better exaple to your children if they saw you work for their living IMO
4, What is your plan if they stop TC althogether?
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