Both work and we claim UC but still can't afford to live.

[Mocha1]

We have 3 kids, 2 who aren't at school yet, my husband and I both work 30 hours a week for charities so not highly paid. We also have childcare for part of the week and then juggle the kids between us the rest of the time (We don't want to work more as we dont want the kids in fulltime childcare). We rent and down't own. We claim UC but we are still really struggling to make ends meet. We really try to live to a tight budget but I have no idea how to lower our expenses any more.

Am I missing something? Is this normal? does anyone have any tips for saving money/ making more income somehow? I feel a bit at a loss as we keep dipping into our savings for just day to day expenses and we're nearly at the end of those.

Our income at the moment (I'm on MAT leave) - £3980
Outgoings- £4250

Do these outgoings seem like a lot for a family of 5 living in the south west? I've been going over our budget and I have no idea how to save any more unless we literally never bought another birthday present or went to a soft play ever again.

Not really. What OP is doing is similar to kicking a door and then playing the victim that she has a stubbed toe. She chooses not to work full time. Working less means less money. Kicking a door means a stubbed toe. Either get a job that pays more per hour or work more hours. It’s a simple calculation.

No, it's not.

Ah! If only OP had thought to buy a house instead of renting!

My thoughts exactly. Those who are angry with the OP claiming UC are happy to take the free childcare hours, and can’t see how hypercritical this is. As you say the taxpayer is paying either way.

Sorry yes, meant combined

I don’t think others’ childcare should be funded by the taxpayer but there you are.

Yes, let's force mothers to leave their children younger and younger.....great idea 🤦‍♀️

I agree by the time children are school age there is no reason for both parents not to be in work (unless one is homeschooling of course)

But babies and toddlers need as much time with their parents as possible.

If you want babies with mum for longer, push for longer maternity leaves. Not just more benefits for those who don't support themselves.

what an insightful reply.
so if the solution to lack of money is not to work longer or get paid higher, what is your answer?
OP made the choice to have a 3rd child whilst aware they both worked short hours in lower paid jobs. Not rocket science to work out the result of that equation.

I've already replied regarding OPs options (essentially more hours or a second job for one of them, plus posting a budget for suggestions).

They refuse to work full time so they are unlikely to be able to raise the deposit, legal fees etc. if only they’d work full time…like all the people with or without children that are paying tax and NI and contributing to UC claims.

No one is forcing anyone to use childcare but why should other taxpayers fund parents to stay at home.

So you’re suggesting the same as me but also saying it’s not OP who has put herself in this position? “No it’s not” ermmm… It’s clearly is.

You aren’t saints but you are playing /being a martyr

if your /dh mum has cancer /heart failure she is entitled and deserved benefits

why wouldn’t you claim @suki1964

This is what absolutely everyone is saying though.

This lady has come here for advice not a bashing on her family circumstances I manage fine with 1 wage and 3 children it depends very much were you live so please don't be so mean.

I think the issue here is that those who claim the free childcare they are entitled to are paying more into the system. It’s fair and equitable that you get more out. I don’t think people are concerned with paying to assist those who can’t earn more but they are annoyed by those who chose not to earn or work more but expect to be funded by those who do - for example when DD was young I was never entitled to anything and had to work about 60 hours a week to pay for childcare and my life. Her dad at the time earned £20k and we weren’t entitled to anything whether I worked or not. So I had to work. We couldn’t afford more kids. We have missed out because of this so yes, I am bitter but I’m also realistic.

I think the issue here is that those who claim the free childcare they are entitled to are paying more into the system. It’s fair and equitable that you get more out. I don’t think people are concerned with paying to assist those who can’t earn more but they are annoyed by those who chose not to earn or work more but expect to be funded by those who do - for example when DD was young I was never entitled to anything and had to work about 60 hours a week to pay for childcare and my life. Her dad at the time earned £20k and we weren’t entitled to anything whether I worked or not. So I had to work. We couldn’t afford more kids. We have missed out because of this so yes, I am bitter but I’m also realistic.

Why doesn’t your other half work extra hours when your in mat leave? You’re obviously at home just now to watch the kids so won’t need childcare. That’s a huge income for 2 part time jobs. My dh and I make a lot less full time both have professional jobs . Also nothing you can do about it now obviously but why have 3 kids? You only get child benefit for 2 kids in the uk . I work nightshift and my dh works 9-5 so we don’t need to rely on childcare . Easier my youngest is at school as I can now sleep but the pre school years were tough curving in a hours sleep then back out that night

But the op isn’t managing fine, that’s why she made the thread asking what she could do because she hasn’t got enough money.

She isn’t managing fine. If you have family money in the background, or a very high earner of course it’s possible - but it is living on the breadline and in poverty isn’t fun in the long term. I would be getting a second job or upskilling with the extra time. Children cost more not less as they age - especially teenagers.

You get child benefit for every child you have

but if on uc then the uc payment is capped at 2 children of £339 if born before April 2017 and £292 after /2nd child

I wonder if op realises she is creating a poverty trap for their family and most importantly their children.

It’s likely they will never be home owners or be able to help any of them launch, or even a decent inheritance. I am not sure how grateful the children will be when they realise what a huge disadvantage it will be in comparison to their peers.

I am not sure they realise people only have good health, mental agility and an ability to make serious money and save for a relatively short window. It isn’t a given once you hit mid fifties even. So saving for a rainy day, building security and pensions is absolutely essential unless you want to grow old with less than nothing, and really struggle.

It is very short sighted to give up the chance of owning a home, having security and savings just to avoid a bit of childcare that most children benefit from socially. Particularly as I doubt the safety nets in welfare will exist in just 5-10 years time.

I am making suggestions without judgement. HTH

Quite and the suggestion is at least one needs to be working full time - it’s not that deep.