To wonder what’s the point when I’m left with this after bills?

[ReLOa]

In a stressful job and single parent to nursery age child. I have 570 left after all bills and childcare and petrol, excluding food. What is the actual point in this?! We can’t do much at weekends and holidays are out of the question. I’m supposedly in a highly paid job (earn 70k) and I feel like giving up. Just been paid and looking ahead at the month I’ve already had to turn down some things like an adventure park day with friends as it was 28 pounds entry and a 35 mile round trip. I feel like I’m failing yet not sure what more I can possibly do?!

Of course it pays to work. What a silly comment. OP is a homeowner, that in itself is an achievement that people who can't work will never have.

You have lost the point of her post!

WHY oh WHY is some who is gainfully employed and earning a decent wage unable to afford bubble bath! You called bubble bath a luxury! Give your head a shake!

Luxury is staying in a superlux hotel, dining on lobster and fine wine. It’s not bubble bath!

Who buys cleaning products every week though? I haven't bought any this week. Pets are a luxury as well, not a necessity. It's about choices some times.

It categorically doesn’t in this country. Your post is silly ! And tells me you have never lived/worked anywhere else in the world.

Of course she should be able to afford it. But if she's struggling that much, it's not a necessity to buy.

And you clearly have no idea what the reality of life on benefits is like, so you're spouting nonsense.

You earn twice what the national average is for a HOUSEHOLD.

Cut your cloth

900 a month and only paid off when your 70? Are you an older mum or do you live in London? That's alot to be paying out per month for the rest of your working life. I'd consider selling and moving area to be honest. I mean the nursery fees are by far the biggest problem right now but that's still alot for the rest of your life practically. Unless you absolutely love the house or desperately need to stay in the area you are in I would consider moving. Even the nursery fees will be lower tbh. My daughters full fees were 860 a month and that felt alot yours is double. I'm guessing your in London or surrounding area.

It is always the same posters racing to the bottom. Every post with a higher earner - you’ll see the same names. It is absolutely wrong that people like the op should feel so financially stressed. It does happen and punitive tax policy and childcare costs are harmful to women. Often forcing them out of the workplace: this then widens the gender gap. Bigger picture.

Totally agree

No one is "racing to the bottom" and childcare costs ARE ridiculous but that's not going to change overnight, so if OP is seriously struggling there are ways to cut back.

Aldi nappies are pretty cheap and decent.

Me. I have a four year old with autism and he often wets himself, pours things everywhere and cannot eat without making a mess all around him. So yeah, I go through two big packets of cleaning wipes a week and lots of laundry pods and fabric softener. I try to bulk buy so it’s cheaper but I definitely go through a lot of household essentials.

It does pay to work in Britain, the pay isn't the issue, or even the taxes, she takes home a decent sum. It's the nursery fees and I think that stems from her area. That said no single mum should be left struggling like this they need to do something for mums like her. Earning a higher wage with less tax allowance.

They could double the tax free childcare for single parents to 40% that would solve all her problems or reduce her taxes to 20% through paye for as long as she can prove she's paying childcare fees and is still a single mum. They should do something without a doubt.

Your rent and childcare alone are more than £35k take-home.

That's understandable then in that scenario, I can see how it would be expensive.

Asda nappies are £4.99 for 84 nappies which is 12 nappies a day which most babies won’t use that many. An 84 pack lasts us more than a week and they are really good nappies.

Wasnt the 570 meant left excluding food?

You didn't claim back your childcare though UC? Poor OP is unable to do this. Also people should realise she's not only paying 40% tax she's paying 8% or more national insurance on everything over 8k. She's litterally paying for other people's funded childcare, whilst she struggles to pay her own so I think those being quite mean should stop like now.

No one is "racing to the bottom" and childcare costs ARE ridiculous but that's not going to change overnight, so if OP is seriously struggling there are ways to cut back.

Agreed. OP asked what is the point? and most have told her that her childcare costs won't be forever, so worth carrying on working, and also gave ways to cut back. £570 a month isn't loads but it's definitely manageable.

It's not enough tbh I spend 200 a week on food and petrol and I'm not south and I think she is. Granted there is more of us but she won't get much more than the basics for £140 a week for food and fuel. She's got a great job with great pay she shouldn't be left like this. Another thing OP I think there has been some changes to Child benefit so look into that see if you are now eligible I'm sure they increased it to 70k or 80k so you can claim it now.

Does that £100 include pet food and litter? Perhaps alcohol? I spend up to £80 a week for two adults and a 6yo, including packed lunches for all of us every day. That’s from Tesco.

In my home country OP would get free or almost free childcare, generous child benefit, 80% paid leave if child gets sick etc. At that salary level she would be able to afford little luxuries after paying her bills.
She would also pay less tax. As a single parent she would get further tax relief in form of doubled tax allowance.

It's not that it's not worth it to work in UK but for mothers it's definitely less worth it then in any other developed country.
And OP is lucky to have only one child, it's even more difficult if you have more.

But people are completely missing the point and talking about luxury bubble baths and having it worse on minimum wage.

Some people don’t have one?

He might be dead, poor or OP might be a single mother by choice.

DH is on a fraction of 70k salary, I don't work and we manage okay.

Two adults two teens two primary aged DC.

You cut your cloth accordingly.