living on CL alone as a single mum - paying private rental - how do you do it?

[Just Me]

i think i have alot to learn about menu planning, am finding that hard to grasp. I get pretty stressed out with recipes in general, but can follow simple ones. I've had a ABI (acquired brain injury) and the amount of organisation, to get the menu planning happening, seems to be beyond what i can handle. But i love the idea of it. have printed out heaps of stuff on it from belly belly.

the computer i use belongs to bilby's dad, so i can't imagine me having a computer, once i move out. unless he says i can have it (he has his own plus a laptop). so that will be up to him.

i will miss my online community SO MUCH once me and bilby are out. Being able to chat online like this, is one things i've been able to do, that is low cost and available to me (so far). I'm not as sociable in real life, as i meet people, then feel embarrassed i can't keep up with them financially, so i let the friendships die - due to my embarrassment.

the good thing is that i have passed the Centrelink "separated under the same roof" form - the one i should have put in three years ago - but have been so confounded by the long form etc - finally got some help to fill it out - so now, Housing Trust can no longer knock me back for bond help. Got to find somewhere to rent first, somewhere in teh magic 35% of my income - that is their rule for helping people.

Oh Gigi, I am so sorry you are going through all of this

I don't know what your local library is like, but ours has free access to computers and the internet so you could still book in for a few sessions there a week and come on to chat to us.

There are a few community playgroups around the place - I go to one every week that costs $1 per family per week and includes morning tea for me and the kids. Contact some local churches because they often run cheap or free playgroups. It could be a good way of getting to know some of the other mums around the place.

Someone posted today about a blog called $120 Food Challenge. If you have a chance, take a look at that. It is still recipes and stuff, but the lady who runs it also lives of C'link and posts a new recipe everyday. She aims to make 14 meals, 4 desserts and 2 sweet treats a fortnight all for $120. It might help you do some of your menu planning. Otherwise, if you have an ABI, are you entitled to any further community assistance (not necessarily financial) like occupational therapists or other professionals or support that could help you learn skills like this. Maybe have a chat to your GP about it.

We also do online shopping now because it is saving us so much $$$ each week. We write a list, stick to what we need and because the amount tallies as we add things to our shopping list, we can see what we are spending as we go, rather than it being added up at the checkout.

I don't know anything about your situation, so forgive me if this is completely out of line and inappropriate, but is there anyway that you can keep living where you are for a while to save up some money and wait until you are feeling prepared to go. I am really sorry if that is the wrong thing to suggest and don't feel you have to justify yourself. If you can be clear in your head about how it is going to work, you might feel better about everything, but sometimes when you have to get out, you just have to get out and you can't stay.

I really hope that everything works out for you. I am thinking of you. It sounds like you are having a really difficult time and I hope you can find some answers and some peace. Huge huge .

[tiggerandpooh]

hi gigi, just wanted to give you a I know how daunting it is. as you know been there, doing that....

I cant say anymore then what everyone else as already said other then what I do every single day - I start the day with this mantra Trust. Forgive. Let go I know it may sound airy fairy, and isnt practical advice - but it is truely the one thing that has gotten me through - the numerous anxiety attacks that have threaten to undo me, the days of depression that have had me seeking my bed, the angst of not knowing how i was going to pay this, feed the kids etc etc etc.... everytime my head starts to spin i take a deep breath and say those words.

With you in spirit darling.