Will we manage (we'll have to!) our outgoings...

[owltrousers]

I've just sat down and worked out finances. I'm now on Maternity leave for 9 months and its looking pretty tight but do-able. Keep thinking I must have forgotten something so just wanted to post our outgoings here and what we have left to see if this sounds do-able? Not that I have any choice!

My income (mat leave) - £610 average
DH's income - £1291
Total = £1900

Rent - £805
Water - £50
Elec & Gas - £60
Council tax - £116
Internet - £18
Spotify - £14
Car tax - £21
Food shopping - £240
My phone bill and personal debts - £96
DH's phone bill and personal debts - £187
Total outgoings = £1610 a month

N.b I haven't factored in car insurance here as my very kind FIL paid it off for a whole year for us and I haven't factored in child tax credit as the £80 will be used for fuel for the car each month.

Leaving roughly £280 per month for spending.
What do you reckon?

Your dh could look for a better paid job too as looking at your post he is on a very low wage.

@Crispbutty

He's on 18k a year, which is low - but certainly not terrible for unskilled work.

Re not returning after mat leave due to YOUR wage not/barely covering childcare. You have to look at it as you're only paying half childcare as father should be covering half too. Also the longer you're out of work the harder it is to get back in, not just in terms of getting a job (though that's bloody hard at the moment) but also in terms of you emotionally. It's nerve wracking and may require catch up training at your expense. You'll also miss out on promotions/pay rises.

You could look for an evening job then or a weekend one.

Won’t you be entitled to Tax credits etc!

I find birthdays a huge expense. Have you factored them in?

Me and DH have literally always struggled, so we're kind of used to living on a budget
You mean you struggled before when you had more coming in and only two of you?

Do you have any savings? You say you are renting, what ast do you have. Your biggest risk is if you are asked to leave the property, so you must absolutely factor in your budget some savings to account for needing to pay fees and deposit for another place if it came to that.