How to afford this?

[Inahoole]

My income is 2,984 after tax. Full time nursery is 1300 a month after the tax free part. Rent is 980, car needed for work daily is 145 a month on finance. I have gone through calculators online and can’t see I’m eligible for any help. I do have 9k savings but this was my deposit for buying a home in the next couple of years. I feel so worried about this, I don’t know whether to go part time for a bit or use savings for nursery? What do people do in this situation? I had no idea nursery was so much and assumed it would be 500 ish a month, I know I luckily have options but not sure what to do? My ex partner lives abroad and sometimes sends 100 quid but it’s not something I can rely on.

@Youvebeenmuffled oh my gosh really? Starting in December…

You should get 15 free hours the term after they turn 2 from April 2024 and from 9 months in September 2024. Guessing your child is under 1 so it would be September 2024 for you to get the 15 free hours

Check benefit calculators on entitledto.com and turn2us.org.uk Nursery fees are a killer but they only high until term following 3rd birthday and then they will drop with the 30hrs funding so keep going. Speak to a mortgage broker about your circs as they might be able to find you a mortgage deal which may be more secure long term and cheaper than renting. Definitely request child maintenance if a single parent although from experience doesn’t always result in fair payments.

@Bubbleshoespop they are one on Monday so I will get 15 free hours in September next year?

That's my understanding. My DS is 18 months and I think it's Sept 24 we get the 15 free hours, it goes up to 30hrs free in sept 25 for us

OP, you don’t seem to say whether the DP is your DC’s father. If he is, I would think he should be contributing more than the odd £100 here and there although I appreciate that his being abroad may make ensuring you get this difficult. If DP is not the father, what is the father doing to support his child (I realise there could be reasons why contact would not be appropriate; You do not have to say exactly what here)?

can't you get an attachment to earnings order for proper child maintenance ?
a child has 2 parents, who both are duty bound to support him her.

It’s fairly obvious that the reference to her ex partner abroad means her child’s father and that what he’s doing to support his child is fuck all, physically, financially or emotionally. It’s not like that’s not occurred to OP.

Where do you live? £980 wouldn't even get you a one bed and I don't live in London or a wealthy part of the south.

That is incorrect.

Yes - if OP had the tax allowance that two people on £20k each would have, this problem wouldn't arise.

Yes - if OP had the tax allowance that two people on £20k each would have, this problem wouldn't arise.

Exactly.

Even if she did it is a pittance and nothing close to 50% of the cost of raising a child, even if her ex was a relatively high earner.

The ex lives abroad so this is probably a moot question.

Amazing isn't it how the US can pursue its citizens for tax across the world but the UK can't (won't) even pursue child maintenance from residents in its own country!

But maintenance rates are set so low it is irrelevant anyway. 50% of childcare costs isn't included in the rates, or 50% of any of the other costs of housing, feeding, clothing and raising a child.

It would be far more beneficial to lone parents to campaign to get the tax system fixed so they aren't penalised by it on top of all their extra expenses.

https://educationhub.blog.gov.uk/2023/07/07/free-childcare-how-we-tackling-the-cost-of-childcare/#:~:text=From%20April%202024%2C%20working%20parents,nine%20months%20for%20working%20parents.

Where is the OP does she say she is a secretary or works for a church??