can a single parent surviving solely on CL, pay $250 rent and survive financially?

[Catastrophic]

It's hard and tough, you'll have to learn to live without the luxuries, but so many people have told me its doable. I am confident that your a smart girl and you'll be able to work it out :-D

[Pretty Butterfly]

Sweets, are you already getting all your entitled too?
If you are, you can add some rent assisitance to that, and that will be your f/n income.
I *think* if your f/n rent is at least $320, you can get $140 in Rent assistance.

So if your going to pay around $500 p/f, $140 is covered.

Make sure your getting PPS, FTB A & B and child support. And apply for RA as soon as you get a place to get the payments asap.

I *think* the department of housing can help with bonds if your on the books?? I know they used to.
Call and ask what assisstance you can get to get private rental.

Its hard, but it can be done......

[Footsteps]

no one will judge you huni...i hope you can move soon huni and massive hugs xox

[Lisa]

I'm not sure how it works, but my friends sister is in Dept housing yet it is a private rental. Basically, she pays Dept housing amount of rent and Dept housing put up the bond for her. She is in a BEAUTIFUL 5 bedroom, 3 year old house with distant ocean views! It's hard to not be jealous! lol
From memory, she got such a great house because she was transferring from Sydney to Newcastle to be closer to family (her support network) and there were no 4+ bedroom houses available in the area at the time so she had to go private through Dept housing.

Definitely arrange to speak to someone at Dept housing and tell them of your fears. It can't hurt to speak to a counsellor or even a social worker to help with your case to get you out of a dangerous neighbourhood and in to a safer one.

Big hugs honey.

[Gigi]

Lisa,
there is bilby and me, no way we'd get anything other than a 2 bedroom place. (i don't need more bedrooms, just a safer neighbourhood). the housing trust stocks are so low here. it is like a miracle just to get an offer. and i got an offer - many people here are incredulous that i even got a place, as in "how come you're so lucky when thousands of others stay on the waiting list and have been for many years". Yep, i got this place in Drug Dealer's Avenue. but no-one told me that when it was offered to me. They just said, "no-one wants to live here, how keen are you to be housed? there's no insulation, no heating no cooling, do you want it. or stay on the waiting list indefinately." I chose to be housed so i could leave X.

[Beatrix]

Gigi

you would be entitle to single parent payment of the $611 a fortnight.
you would also be entitled to the FTB A and B of what you recieve now, which im guessing is around $350 per fortnight?
and you would also be entitled to rent assistance which you dont recieve now being in a HT home.

so Im going to go with a ball park figure of 1000 a fortnight so there for 500 a week

if you were paying 250 a week in rent that would leave you with 250 for bills, being it just you and bilby i would put 120 away for bills a week (which would include gas elect rego etc) leaving you to live off for food and petrol 130 per week.. which is doable.

it will be tight but it is doable.

[CrazyLady]

if you were paying 250 a week in rent that would leave you with 250 for bills, being it just you and bilby i would put 120 away for bills a week (which would include gas elect rego etc) leaving you to live off for food and petrol 130 per week.. which is doable.

it will be tight but it is doable.

Most of those bills you will be able to get a health card discount off. I know for sure rego and pretty sure electricity. With a little money jiggling I am sure you'll work something out. I out away $20 a week for rego and insurance and such so it's there for when the bills come rather then a massive chunk. Little things like that really add up rather then getting the massive chunk taken out of the account.

Why do you judge yourself hun? You are doing the best you can right now! Huge

[StrawberryMumma]

Gigi, you have NOTHING to feel guilty about hun.
You know things will get better sweety..this is just part of the journey. Hang in there xx

[Gigi]

cos i am putting bilby at risk, by living in such a volatile area.
i didn't realise it was this bad, when i signed the lease. i didn't know about the gangs, i had no idea the "customers" would be so obvious, so violent, so aggressive, on both sides of where we live (on a corner, our windows are just a few metres from the footpath) day and night
i felt like i had no choice, it was this place, or be on the waiting list indefinately.
and every time you move, you spend money moving, setting up and in this instance, paying money for security stuff as well (to have side and back gates made lockable, installing three security sensor lights wired in)
so the small nestegg i had, is very diminished, purely from this move - let alone moving AGAIN and setting up AGAIN.

i am scared i will end up, going back to X, purely to get bilby away from the risks associated with living here.

i was crazy to think i could make this work (leaving X). i will end up either losing bilby or losing my mind (living under same roof as X again).

[CrazyLady]

i didn't realise it was this bad, when i signed the lease. i didn't know about the gangs, i had no idea the "customers" would be so obvious, so violent, so aggressive, on both sides of where we live (on a corner, our windows are just a few metres from the footpath) day and night
i felt like i had no choice, it was this place, or be on the waiting list indefinately.
and every time you move, you spend money moving, setting up and in this instance, paying money for security stuff as well (to have side and back gates made lockable, installing three security sensor lights wired in)
so the small nestegg i had, is very diminished, purely from this move - let alone moving AGAIN and setting up AGAIN.

i am scared i will end up, going back to X, purely to get bilby away from the risks associated with living here.

i was crazy to think i could make this work (leaving X). i will end up either losing bilby or losing my mind (living under same roof as X again).

Hun, you didn't know how bad it was so basically you were doing the right thing. You have also taken the time (and money) to make it as secure as you can. That alone in my eyes shows you are doing your best so don't be so hard on yourself! You'll find a way!

[~Lashes~]

if it is possible, put in writing all the problems that you are faced with on a daily basis, the risks to your dd, with a drug area there are endless risks and safety concerns. put in an application for a transfer also put in a complaint to the ombudsman(?) for housing, make sure you keep all documentation for your reccords aswell.
dont stress about it to much, as hard as it is, this is your foot in the door, remember everyone starts somewere.
if you put in a transfer, it may take a few months, but would be worth it in the end. when ds1 & ds2 were little, we lived with df's dad, who was a reformed drug addict, the community house we were in, in a good estate of a good suburb, burnt down and we were put in a "drug central" court simmilar to were you have described, they knew his past, and knew of the dramas in that place, yet still placed him there, he put a transfer in after catching on to how it was, they did nothing at first, but after going to the ombudsman(?) they gave him another house. just to be sure if they do offer you somewere, get the address first, go check it out and speak to the neighbours, or local shop keepers, see what its like.

good luck, hang in there we all start somewere.

[Gigi]

Gigi

you would be entitle to single parent payment of the $611 a fortnight.
you would also be entitled to the FTB A and B of what you recieve now, which im guessing is around $350 per fortnight?
and you would also be entitled to rent assistance which you dont recieve now being in a HT home.

so Im going to go with a ball park figure of 1000 a fortnight so there for 500 a week

if you were paying 250 a week in rent that would leave you with 250 for bills, being it just you and bilby i would put 120 away for bills a week (which would include gas elect rego etc) leaving you to live off for food and petrol 130 per week.. which is doable.

it will be tight but it is doable.

i will ask the financial counsellor tomorrow
i'll get two versions of my budget
- one with my current rent ($100 per week)
- one with a projected rent ($250 per week)
so i can compare.

I've just gotten car ins and contents ins, thinking that was the sensible thing to do, as a single mum, i wonder if she will tell me they are luxuries?
I thought luxuries were things like FOXTEL, smokes, alcohol, restaurants, beauty treatments, holidays, - which i go without already.

[Gigi]

It's hard and tough, you'll have to learn to live without the luxuries, but so many people have told me its doable. I am confident that your a smart girl and you'll be able to work it out :-D

if i was so smart, i would not be in this predicament. i feel the very opposite of smart. I feel very foolish and stupid.

[Just Me]

if i was so smart, i would not be in this predicament. i feel the very opposite of smart. I feel very foolish and stupid.

Huge I don't have any great financial advice for you (I wish I did) but I couldn't read this and not post. You are making the best of a crappy circumstance. That in no way make you foolish. It's tough what you are doing and lots of people would take the easy option, but not necessarily the healthiest. You are doing the best you can for your and your bilby -- that is what makes you a great parent, making the most of your circumstances and putting your precious baby first. You really have to make the best choice of a pile of less than ideal choices. You are amazing and you have a lot more strength than you realise. Don't beat yourself up.

[Catastrophic]

if i was so smart, i would not be in this predicament. i feel the very opposite of smart. I feel very foolish and stupid.

Hunni, You are not Foolish and stupid. You followed your heart and that is okay, that doesnt make you foolish or stupid. You are very smart, you know how i know? Because you had a problem in your r'ship, and you took control, you have used so much courage and strength and you are making a better life for you and bilby, that shows me a very smart, couragous, woman right there.... xoxoxox I have faith in you xoxox

[~breeze~]

Gigi, I havent read all the replies but thought I'd give you some advice from my personal experience....

You will be able to do it but it will be tough, at least until you get into a bit of a routine & know your budget properly.

Approach St Vinnies. I know in Forster NSW they have 2 bedroom fully furnished townhouses for families who need them. You pay $250 a week & they put aside $50 of that & save it so when the time comes for you to move out you have saved $50 a week.... a big help & savings you normally couldnt manage (well I couldnt!)

Dept of housing can help with bond & 1 or 2 weeks rent so you can move straight in (they paid my bond (4 weeks rent) plus 2 weeks rent in advance a year ago when I needed a place asap) Go in & see them, see how they can help you.

With moving costs approach St Vinnies, Salvation Army & life line..... they paid the majority of my $1800 moving cost in Dec just gone, I was only out of pocket $350 in the end, if your moving costs are cheaper (mine was interstate which is why it was so high) they may be able to cover the whole lot for you?

Freecycle is great, join your local area one online (google freecycle) & people give away so many different things, you can ask for things aswell, just make sure you "offer" something first before asking for something.

Dont be affraid to ask for help & accept help. Everyone needs a helping hand at some stage (well most people anyway!)

Please dont go back to your X simply because you think you're not doing a good enough job on your own. Believe in yourself, you've taken the biggest step by actually leaving, you will regret it if you go back for that reason (I did in 2006, if it weren't for me having DS in that time I was back I would totally have regretted it)

You are doing a great job..... really you are!!

Good luck hun xoxo

[~breeze~]

Gigi, I havent read all the replies but thought I'd give you some advice from my personal experience....

You will be able to do it but it will be tough, at least until you get into a bit of a routine & know your budget properly.

Approach St Vinnies. I know in Forster NSW they have 2 bedroom fully furnished townhouses for families who need them. You pay $250 a week & they put aside $50 of that & save it so when the time comes for you to move out you have saved $50 a week.... a big help & savings you normally couldnt manage (well I couldnt!)

Dept of housing can help with bond & 1 or 2 weeks rent so you can move straight in (they paid my bond (4 weeks rent) plus 2 weeks rent in advance a year ago when I needed a place asap) Go in & see them, see how they can help you.

With moving costs approach St Vinnies, Salvation Army & life line..... they paid the majority of my $1800 moving cost in Dec just gone, I was only out of pocket $350 in the end, if your moving costs are cheaper (mine was interstate which is why it was so high) they may be able to cover the whole lot for you?

Freecycle is great, join your local area one online (google freecycle) & people give away so many different things, you can ask for things aswell, just make sure you "offer" something first before asking for something.

Dont be affraid to ask for help & accept help. Everyone needs a helping hand at some stage (well most people anyway!)

Please dont go back to your X simply because you think you're not doing a good enough job on your own. Believe in yourself, you've taken the biggest step by actually leaving, you will regret it if you go back for that reason (I did in 2006, if it weren't for me having DS in that time I was back I would totally have regretted it)

You are doing a great job..... really you are!!

Good luck hun xoxo

[StrawberryMumma]

Gigi, I wish you were in WA so I could help you.
I'm so sorry you are having such a tough time