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Cost of living

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Original poster

Cost of living help!

56 replies

Michele99 · 27/09/2023 23:12

I’m not sure what I need from this but I just really don’t know where to turn!
Myself and my partner own our house and have 4 children aged between 2 and 15. We managed just fine when we decided to have our daughter and bought our home when she was born.
The world has now completely messed things up and we can barely make ends meet between the cost of our shopping bill, utility bills, fuel and the mortgage. It really is unbearable. I stay at home with the youngest children as it costs too much for nursery and childminders so I would be working for no reason. Also my partner works in agriculture so we are unable to work around his hours for me to bring in an income.
My partner earns a decent wage and things were fine before everything started going up in price! The mortgage payments will be going up early next year too. I genuinely don’t know where to turn or what to do because it just seems every single penny goes on bills and living costs! This is never going to end and I just don’t know what else to do to make things easier! 😢

OP posts:
FuckinghellthatsUnbelievable · 24/12/2023 09:25

I’d consider child minding. You have experience, a home, also because it’s a self employed business you can write off quite a lot of income before you pay tax. A proportion of energy costs, mortgage costs etc

My la funds courses and application fees for potential childminders.

JingleSnowmanTree · 31/12/2023 02:51

cbuew9 · 27/09/2023 23:50

I had never or wanted to work from home until a 3 month contract recently, and it opened my eyes.... Please look in to this option, you might be surprised, so many companies are very flexible nowadays working around families like yours....

@cbuew9 would you mind saying what you are doing & how you found the job? Did you need much specific experience?

JingleSnowmanTree · 31/12/2023 02:53

Snugglewuggle25 · 15/10/2023 20:24

Have you ever thought of working in a school?? Teaching Assistant or as a lunchtime organiser for few hours a day....or even in the school canteen. You would also get the school holidays off with your kids too. Worth a try??

@Snugglewuggle25

i doubt it would even cover childcare costs for the 2 year old.

caringcarer · 31/12/2023 03:41

My DD worked earning £2200 take-home pay per month and paid £1800 in childcare and more in fuel to get to work. She did that from after her mat leave until DC got the subsidised hours at 3, so for 2 years. It meant she built up her pension and kept her career on track. She couldn't get any UC either because her DH earned over the limit. With 4 DC you need to go back to work at least part time. A childminder is generally a bit cheaper than a nursery. Even if you only gain a few hundred pounds a month and pension payments it is worth it. You've only got to struggle on for another year before your 2 year old gets some subsidised hours at 3 years. If you worked a couple of night shifts each week maybe your 15 year old could help out with childcare until your DH got home.

caringcarer · 31/12/2023 03:45

JingleSnowmanTree · 31/12/2023 02:53

@Snugglewuggle25

i doubt it would even cover childcare costs for the 2 year old.

Show quote history

You seem so very negative and repeating you wouldn't earn enough to cover childcare. Have you checked how much an hour childminders cost? You should check it out. If you worked 4 hours minimum wage each day you would earn more than the cost of 4 hours childcare a day.

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