Would i be better off not working?

[Bunny2607]

Hi all
Can’t believe i’m asking this question but i’ve just gone back to work after maternity leave. I’ve gone back three days a week and after tax and deductions i get £1600 in my hand. The nursery bill for those three days is £780, i do tax free childcare so Of that amount we pay about £580. We just can’t manage. The nursery bill is crippling us. We can’t get universal credit or any other benefits etc as my husband brings home £2300. Our mortgage has gone up to £800 and obviously fuel food energy everything is costing more.
does anyone know if i gave up work would i be able to claim benefits? The nursery bill is crippling us and i’m wondering if i’d be better off not working to save this but i’d need some sort of income.
TIA

1600 + 2300 = 3900

• 580
• 800

= 2520

That's a lot.

I know it's tough at the moment but you will get the 30 hours childcare from age 3 . I think it will be worth it for you for career progression etc to carry on . Can your DH cut his hours at all ? Keep strong !

Is there a reason you’re not working full time?

Based on the figures you’ve given, working five days a week and using childcare for this would mean you’re bringing home £1,700 a month AFTER childcare. Add on your husband’s income and you’ll have £3,500 a month after childcare and mortgage.

Giving up your career is a massive thing. Childcare is expensive but short term- you’ll just need to tighten your belts. People live in far far far less!

I think you need more work not less. I’m afraid it sounds like part time work is a luxury you cannot afford atm

You won't be better off on benefits and I'm not sure you would even be eligible based on your income. Benefits are kept notoriously and deliberately low on purpose.

If you take home £1600 and pay £580 in nursery fees, then that leaves you with £1020 plus your husband's £2300, that's pretty decent. You're not going to be better off by leaving your job, no matter what way you look at it.

Pension, promotion opportunities, independence.

All very long term. Childcare isn't. 'Better off' never seems to take these into account.

Do you live in London? If so, that could be why you're struggling more than others on same income, due to increased living costs there. If not, as others have said you should be able to cover the basics. If not and you feel able to post your outgoings, we can help/make suggestions based on cutbacks/changes you could make. Sometimes we have expenses that in reality aren't essential.

Why is this "sadly"

This is what annoys me about UC and benefits. Why is an able bodied person with a job hoping that they'll get more by not working.

It's ridiculous that it's even a question, but in the U.K. this is how many people think!

@ladykale I agree! The fact people can even ask the question 'am I better off not working' shows that the system is seriously screwed. The welfare system is there to support people who are genuinely unable to work, not those who'd prefer not to.

Anyway... to the OP: many years ago when my kids were little, I continued working even when there were no immediate financial benefits. Nursery costs for two were equivalent to my take home pay. And this was before the free hours at age 3 were introduced. Do I regret it? Not at all. I was securing the future... no missed pension payments, no falling behind in the workplace through having years out of it... there are more benefits to work than the money in your pocket. And you do have money in your pocket anyway - you're in profit after paying childcare. Honestly it would be nuts to give up.

The cost of childcare is a bit of a shock if you compare it to your previous situation of not having kids and all the associated expenses, but in comparison to other parents you're honestly not doing too badly at all. Even breaking even is worth it for long term career prospects. It will get a bit easier once you can claim some free childcare after age 3 and up.

When you have kids it's just a completely different life financially.