I completely agree with you there BG. 6 months ago I really felt that DH and I were doing okay, and surviving on our wages. In fact, I was happy to not have any govt handouts (I still am). But with childcare fees going up, losing the CCB and now losing FTB, it's depressing realising we're trying to move forward but seem to be going nowhere, or even backwards.

I realised last night too that with the new Public Service general agreement, going back to my lower paid position wouldn't help because we'd still be over the threshold by a couple of hundred bucks. So there is nothing for it, I will just have to work my butt off even more than I have been to try to earn more. So even less time for my family. Great news, huh?