Gigi, just wanted to offer my support and let you know that my thoughts are with you. None of these matters are ever easy and it sounds like its taken a lot of courage and strength to make some really tough decisions. Just remember, you're a great mum and you will always have Bilby & her needs as your priority
I'm not sure where in SA you are located or looking to move but I am aware that there are some housing cooperatives in suburbs that are close to the city, near public transport and shops etc, good schools & community centres, community gardens etc. Basically they're groups of houses or units where the rent is actually capped at around 25% of the tenants income. So it doesn't matter what you earn, you'll never pay more than that percentage of your income in rent. They're designed to support people exactly like you but they are often hard to come by and usually there are some waiting lists. But I would ask the community workers you've been dealing with about these type of arrangements. The Women's HOusing Assoc that MaryDean has outlined might be a good contact point too. If you've got a good support worker in your corner, often they can point you to these kind of opportunities. Feel free to PM me and I can let you know where my friend has been living in a housing co-op.
hun if youveleft a DV situation there is womens refuges. it sounds bad but they can actually be quite nice like little units and they will put you on the priority list for a govt house (over here in WA its about 18 month wait on priority). also have u got a social worker? if you can line one up thru womens legal service or something they can do all the running around/calling in regards to finding you housing etc. im not trying to brag but my SW got me a free car and free mac computer thru helpful organisations.
pls consider sharing, go onto the gumtree website i know its not preferable but u can prob find another single mum to share with xx
My rent is about 45% of my income
I also have a car loan and bills (set payments arranged with supplier) i pay out of my income too.
I still manage to have food in the cupboard, but you just miss out on all the nice things in life.
I have more advice for you, PM me if you want to chat xx
Oh darling - I really understand how daunting this is for you, please remember every now and then WHY you are doing this - ok? It's the beginning of something new and lovely. I adore the idea of you and Bilby having a cosy little place of your own, the hurdles will be worth it, you know that xoxoxoxo
The things is with welfare agencies - there are many of them, but they don't tend to work together. You really need to cast your net out wide for help even if that means going through the list of welfare agencies in the phone book, or over the net. You can ring centrelink and them to tell you all the agencies in your area. They have a thing called Mapstat on their computers and they have it all in front of them.
Things will be different for Bilby, but that's just life hun. Things change, nothing stays the same. Children are incredibly adaptable and resilient. It will be so much better for her to have a less stressed mumma - remember the positives too.
On the meal planning - you are not the only one that finds it hard. I only meal plan for 3 days at a time - it's all too much for me otherwise.
Hang in there hun, you'll be able to see the light at the end of this long tunnel soon xoxoxoxo
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