what can I do with 23pounds in the UK?

[twilight3]

Hi all, I'm gonna have to keep this short, tiny lunchbreak.

I live in germany to keep DS near ex-partner, XP couldn't give a toss about DS and it has become apparent in the last 3 years (since break-up) so I have decided to move back to the UK, it's not like DS will se any less of his dad than he does now due to the move.

I have lived abroad for over 10 years and have no idea what prices are like nowadays in the UK. XP is paying maintenance in euros which turns out to be $23 a week (pounds that is). I more or less know what I'm entitled to until I get a job, will live with my mum (two spare bedrooms) she has paid off her mortgage and isn't asking for rent, just to split the bills.

DS is 5, what does life with a kid cost in the UK?

Thank you all in advance

to be more precise I'd like to know what the basics for a child cost, like clothes/uniform (assuming I'd be buying from Asda etc), food, activities etc.

a lot.

but go to asda online or tesco onlne and do a sample weekly shop - use your mum's adres to register.

activities depend where you are but agin go to the website for council local to your mum and check it out online.

Depends whereabouts in the country you will be, tbh. In general, the further north, the cheaper, but obviously there are exceptions.

Use www.entitledto.co.uk to work out what tax credits etc you could get.

thank you. Would it be too nosey to ask what you pay for uniforms/PE kits and school-lunch on average? I'll be in Suffolk

depednds on the school and if you have to get set uniforms. ask the possible schools for the price of their official jumper etc. then see if asda/tesco versions of the rest are ok.

school lunches -again look on school website varies - 1.50 to 2.50 per day?

This is the online prices for the school uniforms in my area, I only buy the school specific stuff from here, white shirts and black trousers Tesco or Asda are much cheaper.

[[http://www.ey-online.co.uk/index.php]link]

I think it came to about 100 GBP for a new kit for secondary school, plus 35 GBP for Clarks shoes, and I still need to get DS football shoes. But I'm over in West-Midlands not sure if those prices are the going rate, also the school blazor is green hence not as cheap as a generic black and sow on school badge.

Oh Smeg ... try My Local School Uniform Shop

I wouldn't think it would be that different to the costs in Germany would it?

uniform

• supermarkets sell 3-packs of coloured polo tops for around £5 each,
• trousers around £3 each,
• school shoes £10 (ShoeZone) to £40 (Clarkes)
• plimsoles - £1 to £2
• pe t-shirt (if you school has them) around £5
• pair of shorts for pe (use what you already have)

after school activities (remember these are all optional, playing in the park is free)

• ds1 does Premier Sports Football - £21 per half term
• swimming lessons - between £60 to £100 per term
• beavers/cubs - £around 30 per term
• after school clubs, often free

school lunch around £2 per day. mine have packed lunch, cost can't be more than £1 each.

I'm just outside Cambridge.

thank you all, and especially for the expenses breakdown. It's very helpful. And the idea about ckecking Tesco online, thanks