What the F are people supposed to do?

[Babooshka1991]

We know that due to the cost of living fees are going up 10%+ next year. I'm wondering how on earth people who need childcare will manage.

I'm on maternity leave and saved to cover this period, but we expected our incomes to cover expenses when I return to work. I've not had a pay rise and it doesn't look like I will (my employer says they can't afford it). Partner is self employed and bookings are looking crap next year, we think due to the cost of living and people having less disposable. Mortgage is expensive, all our bills, food and petrol costs have gone up allot. We won't have enough coming in to cover basic expenses. When we decided to have a baby we just didn't expect all this. It's impossible. I'm feeling stressed and anxious every day now and keep crying.

I'm stressing too. We have one DD in nursery at the moment (one day a week) and I'm pregnant again. I have no idea how we're going to do it - I'm crossing fingers for a miracle lottery win at this point!

Have you googled your local council's name, plus cost of living support?

Our council have help on offer, even for people with mortgages. It's worth a look to see what yours are doing to help.

Similar situation here. The budget spreadsheet I made before TTC didn't account for the increases we are now seeing. I was hoping to go back 4 days a week (80% of full-time) but now trying to negotiate compressed hours instead so I only have to pay for 4 days but can have a full-time salary still. If that gets declined we're a bit stuck tbh.
The tax free childcare scheme will help a bit, but we've also got our mortgage deal ending in August to think about...

Have you signed up for tax-free childcare? And could you work longer hours to do a day less at work? (I do five days in four, but only have time because I wfh).

Otherwise yes, it's shit and I'm sure will mean many women leaving work.

@pinkindigoviolet yes the cost of everything makes it hard for me to imagine having another. Two lots of fees would be more than my income! Will your eldest be eligible for any free hours by the time the younger starts?

@Numbat2022 I have hit it looks like the increase in the nurseries near here will be about 20% anyway so negate the 'help' the government give! The figures I'm running account for me compressing full time into 4 days.

@Babooshka1991 no she's only 18 months now! I'm hoping that I'll be able to manage two of them at home and get a bit of extra help from the grandparents. It's more financially as well buying a lot of new stuff for surprise baby 2! We sold a lot of DDs bits when we needed extra cash xx

*but

@pinkindigoviolet how frustrating, I hope the grandparents can help fill the gap for you! These problems just weren't the same when I was a kid in the 90s. We won't have any tax payers in 30 years because nobody can afford children!

@Dacadactyl theres no help available as we earn too much apparently ----

Can your husband afford to be self employed?

It’s really rough; especially for the self employed.

Is there anything your partner can do to drum up business, or is it likely to be quiet until the cost of living decreases? If that’s the case, would he look into employment for a while? It sucks, I’ve been there, but it’s not forever. Otherwise, is there an option for you to work more and them to do more childcare?

It’s tough right now. It seems to very much be a case of finding whatever works to keep you afloat. I’m self employed and my baby is due to start nursery in February… the cost has gone up three times since when we signed him up in May already. I’m nervous about it!

Would it be better for you to go back to work and your partner to do part time, so you need less childcare. If his self employment is not going well, it might work out better financially to have someone employed rather than self employed.

Or, obviously we dont know what job he does but if it's looking quiet, could he pick up a second job to fill the gaps?

Can you look for less expensive childcare? Childminders are usually cheaper than nurseries for example.

Run up debt.

I accumulated £10k debt in the childcare years. Low interest and was offset by rising house prices. It was temporary and kept me in employment/ increased future earning potential. So long term it was the best strategy.

The problem is people thinking short term and quitting work because of a temporary cost. But then suffering a lifelong financial penalty.

I don't see it as different from student debts. Short term pain for long term gain.

Just change your mindset.

Also adjust down your lifestyle expectations drying those years eg no holidays abroad, no new phone, no new cars, no eating out, no £4 coffees out, no new clothes etc.

If your dh self employed is slow then maybe he needs to get an employed job or he does some childcare and works less days
People have been having to pay childcare for years or make different choices
I chose to stay home for a few years and have two close together
We had to forgo holidays , go down to one car etc and live frugally but children cost money

"Partner is self employed and bookings are looking crap next year, we think due to the cost of living and people having less disposable."

Then he needs to get a job

You need to look at your DH work. Would he earn more if he went in to full time employment? Or you work full time and he works part time to cut nursery days.

One of you earns over £100,000 then?

Think OP means they earn too much for the councils help for cost of living, not that they earn too much for the government childcare help.

Oh - I thought she was saying they earned too much for taxfree childcare which gives you 20%

It’s very tough. Bought a house 18 months ago and had a good contingency each month. Not so much any more.
Found an old utility bill from 2018 the other day. We paid £74/month to heat and light a detached 3 bed! Now it’s close to £300 🙄

If partner is se and not earning enough can he quit and look after baby so no childcare fees then once you are home to get a evening job even stacking shelves or delivery driver or office cleaning etc

all jobs I’m sure he would have never considered but will have to think about it

What about a night job so that solves childcare? Weekend job?

@CakeCrumbs44 I am planning no. Going back to work full time anyway