Post 6 – Working Mum Mini-Series
I know this is an important topic at the moment. Most families are feeling the impact of rising food and fuel costs, coupled with a lack of wages increasing to compensate for this.
We are just finding our feet with me starting a new job role, which pays less than two-thirds of my previous salary.
Unexpected financial difficulties
Unfortunately, there are some teething problems and many obstacles seem to have come at once:
- Too much tax is being taken from my wage for my new job role and anyone familiar with the system will be aware there is no quick resolution to getting your money back
- We have an ongoing dispute with our energy supplier
- We faced a recent blow in finding out the free nursery hours wouldn’t kick in until four months after we anticipated – this is a warning to anyone in the same situation. The hours don’t start until the term after they turn 3 years old. And I think this needs to be more widely communicated by the government
You can apply from when your child is 2 years and 36 weeks old.
| When your child turns 3 | When they can get 30 hours from | Recommended time to apply |
|---|---|---|
| 1 September to 31 December | Term starting on or after 1 January | 15 October to 30 November |
| 1 January to 31 March | Term starting on or after 1 April | 15 January to 28 February |
| 1 April to 31 August | Term starting on or after 1 September | 15 June to 31 July |
The dilemma of working and paying high costs for childcare
I’m now in a situation where I’ve started my new role. Therefore I need the nursery cover, but these higher, unexpected payments have stung us. So I did something I’ve been totally unable to do for a few years now. I finally sat down, wrote honest letters and emails to all organisations involved with our family, and asked for help.
Following my mental breakdown, I was unable to open my post or even think about money management. In the recent past, I have budgeted and I did make contact with companies to keep them informed. However, I haven’t set out a realistic 12-month money plan and let my guard down enough to ask for help, until now.
Why am I writing this post today?
It’s clear when you ask, you sometimes get. I am writing this post today to tell anyone out there currently struggling financially, that there is help and you can reach out.
In our situation, the nursery has willingly agreed to our proposed payment arrangement and made even more adjustments than I asked for. And this is why I have a lot of respect for childcare providers. It isn’t their fault they are underfunded and definitely undervalued by our current government. I can trust my nursery with the well-being of my child and for this, the staff should be paid enormous amounts. I hope the childcare system in the UK changes for the better. And they are finally recognized for the amazing work they do.
Organisations and charities available to help with money management in the UK
Here is a list of the services available if you are struggling.
DISCLAIMER: I am not a financial advisor, or qualified to give any advice. If this is what you are seeking, or the solution you require. Please make contact with a qualified professional.
Points I included in my recent letters and the email to our nursery provider
A summary of our current income and outgoings
A short description of the difficulties we were facing
Realistic costings for what we could afford to pay for the remainder of the year and looking forward to the next 12 months
Evidence of emails sent to other organisations, if I mentioned them in the email
Confirmation of my contact preferences
A summary of the outcome I want from the provider
Until next time
I hope my writing honestly about how unexpected life circumstances can impact your finances, will help someone out there who may be struggling.
If this has helped, let me know in the comments below.
It’s a very informative and needed article. Honesty is an essential quality in these difficult times. Higher prices and inflation significantly impact our daily life and finances. You provide great tips.
Author
Thank you. Glad you found it useful.
Thank you for being so open and honest. These posts are incredibly important for other people to read. It is so easy to feel bad on social media when it seems that everyone is doing so great and keep boasting about it. Posts like these show first of all, that they’re not alone with these problems and moreover, that there are solutions. I love how you added what kind of information you’ve added in your communications. That is such a powerful guide. Thank you!
Author
Thank you. I totally agree, it’s essential, to be honest about the reality in our lives.
I find it very difficult with everything going on right now. Just heard from my mom that our government will increase the price of noodles and some other items 🙁 this has a big impact on people who are more capable (financially) of buying noodles than rice 🙁 Thanks so much for sharing this informative post 🙂
Author
I think it’s impacting everyone right now. Hopefully, all will be well with the world soon 🙁
I think it’s great to share with others to help. Thank you for being open to sharing your difficulties.
Fransic verso recently posted…How to avoid stress when school starts
Author
Thank you 🙂
Rising energy costs with everything else is putting so much pressure on everyone, it is helpful you sharing your story and people will be able to relate. This post has some really helpful tips too! Thank you for sharing.
Lauren x
Author
I hope it helps someone out there and its good to know the tips are helpful x
It may be small consolation but I appreciate you sharing your struggles. Thank you so much.
Sue Berk Koch recently posted…Wearable Robots
Author
Thank you very much – that means a lot 🙂