So I am a single mum I get single parents, ftb and $40 a f/n child support for 1 child and i get minimum payments for my eldest but i struggle so bad, I don't have any debt other than my $180 water bill due to my real estate that I cant afford to pay, I pay $350 a week rent, I only got this house because my ex and I were together but now we aren't I can't afford it, I live off $70 a fortnight, my son told his teacher that Mummy doesn't eat breakfast or dinner because we don't have enough food and she can't buy more so now the school are offering financial counselling which is fine but how did things get so bad? I am trying my hardest but its still isn't cutting it. I go to the one place in town and get help with food once a fortnight (they wont help once week). There is no way out of paying so much rent because I can't afford bond and I cant afford to pay 2 weeks rent to get out of this house. I am also not aloud to move more than 1 hour away from my sons father and there are no towns within an hour of here that are cheaper in rent. I have pending job applications and have even offered for lawn mowing or babysitting jobs but I cant catch a break.
13 Replies
Are you receiving rent assistance? Make sure you are. Look at your local state housing authorities website. Are you accessing all the schemes you can? If you are in SA you can get a bond loan.
Do you have a spare bedroom? Can you get a room mate? Have you applied for the discounts for electricity, gas, etc in your state?
I would definitely accept the financial counselling they can help you access things in your state you may not know about.
I get rent assistance but it goes on the advantage of rent in the area and $350 a week is at the lower end of the rental market here so I get $120 a fortnight. No spare room and for my power its $1100 bill atm but I am on a payment plan with no end date so I have to pay $80 a fortnight. I am on a waiting list for housing but its a 5year wait list ?
You can get discounts on electricity etc in some states if you are receiving certain benefits
Give the electricity company a call and tell them you are going through "financial hardship". Give them a sob story. Tell them you can't afford food for your child, let alone pay your huge bill.
They may reduce it or allow you to make lower repayments.
As for housing, look for small units. Even if it's just a small 1/2 bed unit and you sleep on a sofa bed. Make the kids share a room.
Start meal planning and shop from a list. Always keep cheap 2 minute noodles in the cupboard so you always have something to eat.
Buy the cheapest foods available. Frozen veg over fresh.
What exactly are your costs?
The financial counsellor will do this with you and help, but what you need to do is sit down and write down every cent that comes into your bank account over the month, then write down every cent that HAS to come out of your bank account. Then look at what is left over. What is left, what are you spending it on? what can you change?
Buy homebrand everything, get creative with mince, sausages and chicken drumsticks. Frozen over fresh. If you are in contracts with internet, phone, mobile whatever, see if you can recontract them to be cheaper in prices. Make adjustments everywhere and anywhere you can.
I shop at coles and use my flybuys points for christmas presents. Thats my budget for christmas, its low but holy shit it helps a lot and keeps me from going overboard.
Call up your electricity about hardship - you are unable to feed yourself, you are about to see a financial counsellor, you cannot pay off your bill. I know electricity prices are ridiculous but please TURN EVERYTHING OFF AT THE WALL IF NOT USING (minus the fridge lol). It makes a HUGE difference. Sounds like you are a family of 3? a $1100 bill for the quarter im guessing is high for 3, if you need heating then dress in more layers, use more blankets, if you need cooling, keep blinds down and air flow going.try to reduce your usage, become miserly about it.
You can survive on what you are living on but you must be frugal and clever and take advantage. Also. Look into emergency housing, if you cannot afford to pay rent and are at risk of being kicked out for doing so then you are a greater risk for homelessness. You need to contact all the charity organisations and any help you can in terms of this to get on those extra lists.
I used to pay 340 a week rent while on partnered parenting pension for our family of 5 while my husband couldnt work. It was tough but we did it. You scrimp and you save and you can get by.
Hey sorry, i don't put credit on my phone or have internet so i guess it was a bit silly to post when i can't check it. I have rent, power (it was over $1000 And they wouldn't let me Pay it off they kept giving me due dates) water, school fees, Tafe fees, ment to be car insurance but i have had to drop that its too expensive for under 25's, petrol i bearly drive my car now we walk or ride to school and home, bus rude into town once a week $5.
My kids father doesnt pay much If any of his $40 child support. And i get minimum payments for my first son.
I am seeing the financial counselor on Friday i have my bank statement, last shopping recipt and income statement hopefully they can help me sort it all out.
Call your electricity company and apply for the utility relief grant and call government housing and apply for the 2 weeks rent in advance "its not just for when u first move in" if you can can show that u are in threat of falling behind! I know these are only temp solutions but it might help u get back on your feet and let u get your budget under control!
Thank you i will try and get the 2 weeks rent i will get forms tomorrow from the library.
May I ask where you live? How old are your children?
I'd really like to help you out.
Hi sorry i live in North west slopes, basically in the middle of no where ? sorry it has taken so long to reply I sneek down to McDonald's and use their free wifi when the kids dad has them on an odd night.
This is going to sound really harsh,i am also a single mum of three boys,I don't get the pension,or child support,I don't have a pension card as my youngest is 9, I pay $330 a week in rent,I work my but off to support my boys and give up the little things,I pay my bills weekly and arrange payments if I can't, I will arrange payment plans to fix my arrears,I struggle with my electric, they have put me on a plan that as long as I pay $50 a fortnight I will never have to worrie about my bill ??
I am on the same payment plan i can't remember what it is called but i had vinnies call and say i was having financial hardship so they finally put me on to the payment plan. Sorry it took so long to reply, i can only use McDonald's free wifi. My youngest is only 2 so u cant even find work because i have nobody to watch him his dad doesnt do much with him and refuses to have them overnighy so i cant work nights unless i pay someone but i don't have the money to pay anyone l. ?