how to survive

[Kamaikia]

I am a single mum with 1 child and currently living with friends. My problem is i can't see how i will be able to afford to live if i move out on my own. And also i can't stand being alone all the time. I get a pension am paying a car off, paying off old credit card bill (my stupidity) and can't see if i'm paying rent how i could afford food clothes nappies formula rego etc etc. How do other mums do it. Also how i can afford to get furniture and stuff. I am currently on waiting lists for day care so that i can find a job but lord knows how long this will take. Rentals are approx $130 - $160 where i am. Some advice would be great.

[Rell]

If you are renting you can get a rental allowance from family assistance.
Garage sales, the traiding post or op shops are a great way to get cheap furniture.
Hope this can help you, I know how hard looking after a child can be I can't imagin how hard it would be as a single mother.

Good luck

[mummyb]

hi
well these are few ideas of where you might be able to get some help.
the family assistance office & dept of housing should be able to help you out with both finacil and housng advice.
i know living in dept of housing isnt eveyones first choice but it may just help you get on your feet ,i know it can be hard to get so do everything you can ask every where for help.
i know your probaly a beautiful strong woman but put your pride aside for just abit and ring everyone you think might be able to help like the salvos ,red cross ,early childhood clinic the more people who are aware of your needs the more chances there are for real help.it also dosent hurt to have these kind of organisations on hand for refrences with the dept of housing.
you will proally get quite a bit off your child care as a single mum . make sure your getting the right benefits and rate of rent assistance as well as maintance even if your ex can only give you ten bucks a week thats almost a pack of nappies if he offers more or less take it smile and know your child will always remember you being there for him or her.
i know hopw hard it is and how scary im so blessed not to have to do it that way anymore .i had alot of support and the babies dad was realy greata which is why i married him but i do remember that feeling in the pit of your tummy when you go shopping and everyone else is loading up the trolley and your looking at your baby thinking how are we going to eat tonight.
you could also join local single mum groups just for some support adn friendship what ever happens good luck

[Kamaikia]

I'd be quite happy for housing commission, the only problem is the waiting list. My son will be almost at school before a place comes up where i am - and i don't know where to start with help from agencies. Centerlink can do rent assistance and thats all and as for my babies father getting $10 a week would be impossible - i'll be lucky to see $10 in his lifetime - I really need to win lotto tonite :)

[mummyb]

hi
i can find out for you if your area has any good agecies which state are you in ? and how old are you if you dont mind me asking ? theres diffrent kinds of help out there for diffrent age groups.
as for the father well i know its easy to say but it really is his loss.
your friends must be very understanding to have you stay with them have you thought about sharing a flat ?
housing commission is ajoke,i hate to thinkl how many junkies have aroof over there head but poor little kids have to sleep in the back of cars its disgracful.
i have two kids and live with my husnband in sydney ,we struggle on one wage but our kids are warm at night and have never known hunger .him and i go with out and we couldnt care less its our choice to have 2 kids (id like one more) but it does make us really angry when we see how much money our friends and family just waste on pokies, shoes ettc when we have to really penny pinch to buy cheese.
child care is so expensive i cant belive how much it costs i wouldnt earn enough to have them in day care every day even with a % back of the goverment. after there two its abit cheaper .
do you have any other single mothers as friends?
maybe you could flat with a single mum and save by buying bulk food,nappies ,formula. and by splitting the bills right down the middle.
well i best go but let me know where you are and what age and i'll see what i can find out for you take care from mummy b

[mumof2girls]

Hi kamaikia

Do you really need a car? not sure where you live but would you be able to use public transport for awhile? If you were able to sell you car and have that debt gone and maybe some or all of your credit card then that would take a lot of pressue off of you. Also shopping at places like op shops, garages sales are excellent for saving money. Sometimes in the paper people give away their old furniture after they have bought new so keep an eye out in the papers. write up a shopping list and stick to it, don't buy what you don't need. Remember it's only to start out and before long you will be on your way to a better way of life. Maybe if you know someone in your area well then instead of child care you could child share, where they watch your child while you are working etc and then you watch theirs when they are working or going out etc. Hope some of these ideas help you. If I think of anymore then I'll let you know. if you want to e-mail me then write me at kaytaylor@aapt.net.au

[Kamaikia]

you know i would love to be able to get rid of my car but i can't. I am living about 15km out of town - and the cheapest place to buy groceries and baby products is a 10 min drive away. Its just so frustrating - one step forward two steps back. At the moment i think i need a miracle. As for knowing anyone to help with my son and vice versa - there is no one. I forget what a night out is like. Wow i sound like a real whinger don't i? :) I know it has to get better its just so depressing at times - I want the world for my son, i want him to have everything i never had and i honestly don't think i am going to ever be able to give it too him (sorry but this is the only place i've got to get this out)

[mumof2girls]

Hi Kamaikia;

Keep your chin up, things can always improve. You are giving you son lots of precious time, a roof over his head, food in his stomach and clothes on his back. Believe me if you were rich and could give him everything you could possibly afford all he will ever want is happy fun loving times with his mum and it sounds like your doing this. Taking him for a walk to the park and playing wwith him are all things he will remember, he won't remember what you bought him for his 5th birthday though :)

So keep your chin up and enjoy him while you can believe me they grow up much to fast. Just work on paying things off and slowly it will happen and life will start to become easier, maybe you can do some babysitting or something like this to make a few extra dollars (just an idea). Good luck and keep your chin up :D