To think its not even worth working!?

[Singlemum90]

Just been offered a job, for reference its about £35k. Initially I was super happy as I have been SAHM for a number of years & its in a field I used to work in but a bit different & a little less stress. And to me, that is a pretty decent salary!

After the call I decided to break down how much better off we would be, cost of living crisis and all that! I was thinking I would have a decent impact on our finances. But nope! With tax, student loan, childcare, the commute & a cleaner once every couple of weeks (we have children & pets- I would absolutely need some help if we are both working full time) I would only be up about £150 a week. And this is with wrap around care in school-goodness knows the cost over school holidays.

So really I would be working a full time professional job for £150 a week, max. I did origionally leave the work force because of this exact reason, but childcare costs then were for a full time childminder, I thought it would be better now my children are older.

I feel very deflated. Is missing time with the children, commuting, & the additional stress of working full time worth it for £150 a week!?

I apologise in advance I know I am incredibly fortunate to have the choice and to be able to afford to stay at home on my husbands income and I know £150 a week is a lot of money to a lot of people. It is a lot of money, just not what I thought a £35k salary would equate to.

So AIBU to think that it is s* to work full time for £7800 a year after everything that needs paid!?

Flexible working on offer at all?

There is some working from home, and hours are flexible but core hours mean it doesn't really affect the cost if childcare. I t

Would you rather sit around doing nothing getting benefits? Be glad that your fit and able to work and someone wants to employ you. I hope your attitude improves before you start working!

So you get 600 more, career progression, pension contribution? We need to start educating women on finances as a lot of them seem to think it's "not worth it" financially but that's almost never true.

Assuming you currently live off your husbands wages, that’s £7k disposable income. Think of the holidays / meals out / days out you can do with £7k

This. Look at it in terms of the increase in your disposable income if you're currently only just managing. Say you currently have £200 pm for nice things, it will increase to £800, ie four times as much. That's another holiday, more days out, life being just easier in terms of being able to afford things. You should really feel the difference in money you can spend.

Plus your much improved pension prospects, and possible pay progression and costs will decrease when you don't need to pay for childcare, then you'll be a few years ahead compared with if you don't work now.

Sorry hadn't finished posting. I think even with the fact that is is a temporary post it will be worth it in experience for the long term, and to get me jump started again and to work my way up as other PPs have stated. I did enjoy working so it is not that I don't want to work either, I will be glad to see other adults every day! And I worked very hard for my qualifications so it will set a better example to my children if I actually use them.

Oh a rich husband as well, such a fucking tone deaf post 🙄

£600 a month better off sounds very much worth it imo. Hardly struggling if that’s nothing to you!

Your costs sounds very high. My DH Earns about the same as you and I earn quite a bit more, but him quitting would lose the family pot a lot more than £600. Our costs are: his commute £60 per month, childcare £200 a month (covers after school club- max £300 if you coult the odd holiday club, although we manage a lot with leave), cleaner £130 a month, which still leaves over about £1500. It also means he gets pension, NI (for state pension), paid sick pay, paid annual leave, death in service/ ill health retirement benefits, has paid off his student loan, and quite a few other things. I don't think he'd like been dependent on me either or screwed if I left him, so it's good for his independence too.

OP ur name is single mum but u go on to mention a husband?!

Is there any chance of a nine day fortnight or compressed hours?
Now is the time to ask if you aren't certain you even want it.

Save a few childcare costs.

Personally £600 a month is quite a bit extra and will certainly help with costs going up surely. I understand your hesitance but equally kids won't need childcare forever and that amount will creep up. Let alone pension contributions etc too. I've gone back to work full time and make £100 a month after the additional costs from working but I'm trying to look at the long game and my sanity.

Never underestimate the value of pension contributions. Your DH should split child care costs with you or are they not his children? £600 per month plus half of childcare back from DH. I would be grab it. With colc rising all the time you would be mad not to.

I was literally PAYING to go to work at the start of this year. It was rubbish but worth it to me. I didn't earn enough to childcare but did it anyway as I want a career. It's your call but I don't think that's bad at all actually although I can see why you're frustrated. I've not earned that much profit since having kids and I work full time too.

If you don't want to do it, just don't.

I can’t make the numbers work.

you’d be taking home around £2k - are your children preschoolers?

otherwise I fail to see how you’re only £150 a week better off. You’d be paying £1400 in commuting and childcare?

What about self respect, setting a strong example and role model for your children, and the contribution you make to wider society?

£600 a month?? That’s more than worth it!

You're £600 a month better off. If you're that worried, ditch the cleaner. You'll survive!

That’s why I don’t believe a word I read on here!

Good luck in the new job OP! I think you're doing the right thing to take this opportunity.

She was a single mum and now she isn’t is this a new Mumsnet real like you can’t continue to use your married name after you get divorced 🙄🤦‍♀️

Thank you Paperpalace 😊

And to everyone asking, years ago I was a single mum. Now happily married. Very old username I didn't notice to change as my circumstances did. I am mostly a lurker on here.

I also don't get benefits of any sort so I don't know how I have a bad attitude and sit on my bum. I previously had a good career, worked my bum off to get into it and took a few years off to raise 4 children because we could afford it. I have been very very lucky to have a wonderful husband who has worked incredibly hard to enable me to do this. I do appreciate in these times though I sound incredibly tone deaf and for that I apologize.

I do appreciate the helpful comments though, they have definitely helped me to see the bigger picture outside of my spreadsheet!

After I’ve paid tax, NI, pension, blah blah blah I have such a tiny sum left. That’s life.

how old are the kids, can you wfh a few days and not have wrap around care?

To receive a full state pension each individual needs 35 years of National Insurance contributions from working or benefits

If you claim child benefit you will add some years of National Insurance contributions

What about the other years ?

You can check your National Insurance record & state pension forecast on www.gov.uk

Yeah. And ditch the cleaner. I think that's totally worth it