Going back to work... is it worth it?

[Willow]

I am not all that much help because I did go back after having #2 but my MIL looked after my children for me so I didn't have to factor in daycare. We did pay her but it wasn't much so we were much better off with me working.

I was made redundant after being back less than 6 months though. By that time I was prg with #3 and knew I wouldn't be returning to work with 3 kids at home. I called Centrelink for the first time to see what we were entitled to and was very pleasantly surprised. We aren't all that worse off than when I was at work.

I hope you can work something out, it is so awful when you don't want to go back but feel you have no choice.

[Snacks]

Ok - here's a couple more thoughts.
Firstly, hugs. I know how hard it is to have no money. To not be able to go to playgroup this week cause there's no petrol in the car. To not be able to take the kids to the shops for a doughnut because you might need those couple of dollars for milk/bread later in the week. For some, these things may seem easy to sacrifice to stay home with your kids but I never found it easy.
Secondly, when things are tight, that little bit extra is... well... a little bit extra. Sometimes that can make all the difference.
Thirdly, (and great that you have sick-leave back-up) childcare can be VERY good "enforced savings". I have to have about $500 in my account each f/n for childcare. So if I am cutting things fine, then something else has to give. (Usually groceries that we can do without or miscellaneous items like gifts and clothing.) Then every quarter when we get the rebate I either put that onto a debt (usually my credit card) or a major expense (like a big bill. This last qtr was rego and greenslip for the car). What I mean is, it can help to manage money better which may not be something you need but could well help with the situation with your DH.
I have to get going to work, LOL, but will keep thinking of things to toss into the mix. It's such a tough decision, made even tougher when you are the one in your partnership carrying all the financial burden. xx

[Early Kids]

Thanks everyone. I've pretty much decided that if I can get the job I want I will be going back to work two days a week (15 hours) it works out that we will be about $100 a week better off not including the rebate.

Thanks again.

[AnyDream]

Hey Sally, do yourself a favor and ring Centrelink anyway, just to check. Are you getting FTB A and B? If not, you should be, and you can have it paid fortnightly rather than waiting for it at tax time. You may also qualify for some rent assistance (not sure what the cut off is but worth asking about). 55K is not a lot to live on, esp if DP is being a total prat with his vehicle expenditure.

[Catastrophic]

Hugs Sally!
It sucks not having any money! I hate living Fortnight to fortnight! and not having any savings! My suggestion to you is to make up a budget, If your good with computers make up on on EXCEL and you can add and delete things as they come, it really helps me to know where the money is going... I also have my DPS working roster in an excel program too, So i kno pretty much how much money is comming into the household and I can budget for it...

With Family Day care, I know you said there is a waiting list... But it might be worth putting your name down, even if you don't get it for a while, it will save you money in the future??

Hope things improve, xoxxoxo

[Early Kids]

Hey Sally, do yourself a favor and ring Centrelink anyway, just to check. Are you getting FTB A and B? If not, you should be, and you can have it paid fortnightly rather than waiting for it at tax time. You may also qualify for some rent assistance (not sure what the cut off is but worth asking about). 55K is not a lot to live on, esp if DP is being a total prat with his vehicle expenditure.

Yep get A & B and it's paid fortnightly. Don't pay rent anyway. Thanks

Thanks MN, I did have a budget and we tried the food plan thing too and it just never worked out. If I had complete control of where money went to it would be easier... but that's not going to happen any time soon. I don't want to uproot Brendan out of his centre, he's been going for just over a year now (14 months) and they are trained to help him too (sees speech, ot, ect) his room leader and the co-ordinator have done some extra training to help Speech Delayed children.

I've put my name down for a job at Target, that's where I want to go, they are very understanding of having children especially prems and special needs kids.

Thanks everyone