Recently my circumstances changed (well a few months ago now) and I am wondering how other single parents support their family..
I pay 290pw rent ( I recently moved to save $100 a week rent) this was the cheapest place I could find ( with the timing I had) and that was suitable for us. I really wanted 3 bedrooms so the baby could have a room...It barely fits my furniture as it is ...
I paid $63 for two days a fortnight childcare, as I have no family around to help if I have a appointment etc. I spend that day cleaning, shopping and washing the car. things I cant do with ds because of his age atm and for my prenatal appt and dentist etc
then I paid $50 off my elect bill
So i have $300 left
Petrol is usually $40 a week and food $70 plus a few odd purchases (milk etc)
Nappies $15 .. those are the necessities atm
I obviously need to do up a budget and try and make it work.... any ideas?
How do you do it? How do you go to work if childcare is so much?
I know you need the childcare for your sanity, but could you cut it down to one day a fortnight to save a little money? If you go to a playgroup you could enquire about setting up a babysitting club for if you need more childfree time than that. A lot of mums are in the same position with little money so you may find you can make an arrangement with some of them. I know how tough it can be coping with no family to help out, but if it comes to it you may have to look at dropping the childcare because it is possible to live without it, unlike your other major bills and food.
Where do you shop? I save a fortune by avoiding the major supermarkets and get everything from Aldi. Can you contact your phone provider and see if you can get on a better plan (mobile and landline). Could you cope without a landline?
Also look through your bank statement for the last month (or keep a record of all spending for the next month) and identify any areas that could be trimmed. Things like take-away coffee, magazines and trips to playcentres can be replaced with a thermos, a library pass and trips to the park.
I would recommend contacting centrelink and talking through the payments you are getting to make sure there is not something you are missing financially. It seems strange your payments were dropped when they said they wouldn't be.
I hope you find something you can do to help improve your situation. It sounds like you are doing it really tough and I'm sure your MIL removing half your possessions hasn't helped you any
ETA I hope you don't mind me answering without being a single mum, I used to work in banking and have a bit of experience with budgeting as a result.
It can get really tough. You just need to budget, budget, budget. Don't be afraid to ask the Salvos or St Vinnies for help if you need. Everyone hits rock bottom, but just muddle through.
The best advice I can give is get rid of all credit including credit cards, unless you can absolutely keep the balance at zero. Otherwise you can get yourself in real trouble.
BellyBelly Life Member - Love all your MCN friends
Jun 2004
The Festival State
3,008
Are you on the lists for Public Housing and Housing Co-ops? If and when your name comes up, that will mean less rent (but the places are small). While you're paying private rental, have you applied for Rental Assistance (paid with the family tax payment).
Have you applied for the ChildCareBenefit? That can reduce your child care bill.
Financial counsellors are a great resource. (not financial advisors, who advise people on investments, but financial counsellors who advise on budgets for low income people).
Instead of credit cards, you could get a debit card, so you can only spend, what is in your account and no more.
Or if you want to keep ONE credit card for emergencies, keep it in the freezer, so you avoid impulse buys.
Most insurance companies will accept monthly payments.
You should apply for JET fees. Go to Centrelink and obtain the form from them, take it to your childcare centre to complete (the section they are required to fill out). This should reduce your childcare fees alot and if need be, enrol your child for more days because it is affordable and you might need in for your situation. Good luck. Hope all goes well for you.
id never seen whitegoods in sydney and the salvos refused to take a few perfectly good couches off us.... in the past... I guess they are picky lol
But we're on the coast now and theres a massive store it has all electrical (lamps,radios, hairdryers etc) lounges, furniture and whitegoods then a whole other shop next door for the clothes and kitchenware and toys.....
How do you afford the bills alone?
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