Can working make me worse off? - Ask Susan

Got questions? RNZ has a podcast, 'No Stupid Questions', with Susan Edmunds.We'd love to hear more of your questions about money and the economy. You can send through written questions, like these ones, but even better, you can drop us a voice memo to our email questions@rnz.co.nz.You can also sign up to RNZ's new money newsletter, 'Money with Susan Edmunds'.I'm a single mum by choice. Unfortunately I had to give up my career as I had major pregnancy health issues which resolved with the birth of my baby in 2020. I've been on sole parent support since my paid parental leave expired six years ago. In that time I went back to studies and picked up another degree. Earlier this year I picked some digital freelancing work for a company in the US. I carefully put aside 25 percent of my earnings