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

[Gigi]

I am after advice
Not judgements (if i could get a job, i would be working already)

I am renting in the public housing system, it's a violent and dangerous neighbourhood, but i can afford the rent.

The base / entry level of rent in the PRIVATE rental market seems to be about $250

I need to hear from single parents in the same situation. Is it possible to rent in the private market and still survive financially? It is not obvious to me, that is why i am asking.

I've only been separated (physically) for two months, so this is early days for me, going to see a financial counsellor tomorrow, to try and work out a budget.

I've been given advice today (IRL) like, "get a job that pays $300, and then you can pay your $250 rent" - but i don't think surviving on $50 a week (for food, petrol etc) would work in the real world.

this area is too violent for my DD to grow up in, and i feel anxious ALL the time. too many drug dealers (and all the incumbent visitors that go with that, day and night) in our street. we are on a corner, with a very short fence, so very vulnerable. there must be a way out.

i think if X knew we lived in this area, he would take bilby off me, and part of me thinks, she would be safer with him really, as he's in a safer neighbourhood. But i don't want to lose my girl.

thanks for reading.

i already judge myself very harshly for this situation, please do not judge me. i don't need any more guilt, i have plenty already.

[Kazbah]

Gigi - you're doing the best you can in a difficult situation. And seriously, $50/week wouldn't cover much at all, who the heck gives that kind of advice???

Far as I am aware, there'd be:
* Centerlink payment
* child allowance
* rent assistance
* child support
* discounted pharmaceuticals / public transport / some bills

Good luck.

[Mum2Romone]

I'm not sure where you are living suburb wise but there are plenty of area s where you can get a lovely housein a nice neighbourhood for that much.

In my area you can..... And it's a nice area

having said that, are you currently receiving a payment off centerlink? I'm not sure what the single rate is but a few years ago now it was about $800 a fortnight plus family tax benefit, so definitely enough to live comfortably with fresh fruit and all that jazz....

It's definitely do able, im sure once you speak to a financial counselor you will feel more confident

[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]

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