Can I use my tips to meet requirements?

[BetaWolf88]

I was born in the UK. Lived there til I was 16. Moved to the states in ‘04. Met my husband in ‘09 married in ‘12 and we have two children now also. I’ve always wanted to go home and I’ve never wanted to live in the states and was forced to move as I was a minor. My children both have duel citizenship.
We want to move back to England before the school year in 2020. I know how the requirements etc.
My first question is; I’m a bartender. I make cash every night and then once a week I get a direct deposit of my hourly pay into my bank account. My taxes of the cash I claim is taken out of my hourly pay that I get in the check. I get a pay stub that shows what I’ve claimed and what I made hourly. If I deposit the exact amount I claim would they accept that as my income? Should I get a new bank account because my husband deposits his check into that account too so I don’t want them to wonder why more money is being deposited.
Second. Say they accepted that. I move to England first with my kids and I get a job right away can I then apply for his visa while I’m in the UK and would I pay the Uk price or would I pay the out of Uk price as it’s technically him applying for the visa?
I don’t want to separate but I think it would make more sense as it will save us money not having to rush. Plus it will be easier for me to get all the info for his visa while I’m over there.
What is the average processing for an American? And how much in total does it usually cost?

[CR001]

Does your overseas income meet the £18,600pa requirement with 6 months evidence of payslips for all income and bank statements matching your net of tax wages??

To use overseas income that meets the requirement is only one of the issues. You also need to prove with documentary evidence (and HO will check), that you have a job to start, at the required income level, within 3 months of arriving in the UK.

Say they accepted that. I move to England first with my kids and I get a job right away can I then apply for his visa while I’m in the UK and would I pay the Uk price or would I pay the out of Uk price as it’s technically him applying for the visa?

Not sure why you believe there is a cheaper price from the UK, there isn't. He has to apply in the US and the visa fee for entry clearance spouse visa is £1,523 and £1,200 IHS fee regardless of how it is paid.

Do you have any savings and if yes, how much??

[Jaune08]

Second. Say they accepted that. I move to England first with my kids and I get a job right away can I then apply for his visa while I’m in the UK and would I pay the Uk price or would I pay the out of Uk price as it’s technically him applying for the visa?

There's NO special price if you pay within or outside the UK. I have recently applied for the spouse visa and even though Home Office states that their visa fee is £1,523 plus £1,200 IHS surcharge, they will charge you in USD dollars (I have no idea why as the bank account was based in England). So I do recommend you to have more money for the exchange rates.

One more thing to add to what CR001 has said. I suggest you to consult the official financial requirement guideline, to be sure if you meet the requirements.

[seagul]

I think what op's is asking and confused about UK price and out of uk price is the application fee. The spouse visa fee from outside the UK is £1523 & IHS is £1200 in comparison of spouse visa fee - FLRM from inside the UK is £1033 & IHS is £1000. OP might be wanting to pay the visa fee of FLRM based on assumption that he is already here which is wrong because OP's partner has to apply from outside the UK and have to pay £1523 & £1200.