To find I’m still left with nothing each month despite it looking good written down.

I think I would also feel a bit vulnerable op, as you are paying 50% of your net income in rent. On those figures it is no surprise that you are 'just about ok' and unable to save very much.

Unfortunately, I do think that separation usually sees both parties suffering financially, at least initially, and at least you can^^ cover everything even if it's tight.

I think there's room to save a bit here and there which might add up, such as your life insurance which seems expensive to me, but mostly you'll just have to wait it out knowing your wages will rise and your expenses (such as childcare) will fall over time, and that you e got a chunk of cash coming from the family home.

Vodafone are doing €30 broadband only, they'd probably add a phone on for a tenner.

Can you claim rent credit - think that it's €500 per year. Did you say that you've told Revenue that you're now separated? A friend of mine separated and she was primary carer for 3 kids and they adjusted her tax bands but as you're 50 50 maybe that won't apply for you. Could a room be rented out in the former family home? Do you follow Irishbudgeting on insta? Lots of cheap meal ideas there. Food can be so expensive. Meal plan as much as you can

@Knickerbockergrolia @FeelingHotHotHotFeelingHotHotHot

Shame you can’t read as well as you can point the finger? 🤦🏻‍♀️

OP lives in Ireland which has a total population about a tenth the size of the U.K. so economies of scale matter. It is also one of the most expensive European countries to live in. Your choices are even further limited when you live rurally.

Where I live, there is no mains water or broadband. We have a well, a septic tank and our broadband is via a satellite box so it’s very slow. Luckily, the phone provider lives in the next townland and if you have problems, they’ll come out the same day.

A car is essential as rural bus services don’t really exist other than the school bus specifically carrying children to and from school, but it’s the school holidays now so that’s a moot point.

Knickerbockergrolia · Today 13:44

There is one of these threads every day at the moment. OP says they earn well but feel poor, then go on to list the dozens of things they spend their money on, or (like in this case) that they 'only' have £1000 left after bills. Netflix, haircuts, car payments, days out, pet insurance, debts, eating out, subscriptions -

yes they all cost money, so if you spend your money on those things you'll not have as much left. What people don't seem to consider is that modern life comes with loads more 'trappings' than it used to and they do of course cost money. Standards of living are generally far higher than they used to be, ergo more expensive.

If people want to live the 1970s life style of no mobile, Internet, crappy old car, modest days out/ holidays/birthdays it would be much cheaper. Yes, I get that the norm is having much more these days, but surely it stands to reason that it is also much more expensive. A lot of people seem baffled that having lots of luxuries means spending most of your money on them.

Note, this is not about people in the breadline struggling to feed their families. It's about people who seem to expect to be able to afford many of life's extras' without considering that when there are so many available, it's not possible, even on a goodish wage, to have as many as you might want.

The concept of feeling hard up had really changed in the last couple of decades.

Yeah this. I know it's hard for everyone these days, but there seems to be a myriad of threads like this lately, and I'm not sure what they posters expect people to be able to do about it.

And every single one of these threads has multiple suggestions from people trying to help and assist the OP, but the suggestions are dismissed, as either no good/can't do it, or they have already tried that. The fact is, if you want more money, cut down on your spending or work more hours. It really is that simple.

What else do these posters want people to say?

And life insurance nearly £100 a month?! I am sure there are cheaper life insurance plans than that. And there are cheaper Netflix packages, and there MUST be a cheaper phone and internet package!

Your life insurance seems very high, OP. I presume it's an endowment policy, where if you die your family get a payout and if you survive you get a lump sum back. So it's effectively a savings scheme, which means that you're saving.

You could probably obtain straightforward life cover (it pays out only if you die) far cheaper. When I was in my early 40s I took out life cover for around £9 a month for £100k of cover. I think it's probably cheaper now. You might want to investigate the pros and cons of swapping the endowment for an ordinary life insurance policy.

I think until the divorce is finalised and the house is sold you’ll just have to accept that this is your financial situation. Count your lucky stars that you CAN afford to move out and live on your own and support your children 50:50. Many women can’t afford to leave their partners.

Is he paying half the childcare? Get the house sold ASAP and buy something else as you can't get HAP the way you are. You will need your savings and equity from the house as a deposit for a new place and it's easy to let savings dwindle.

Look closely at the food shopping, it's very likely your buying all the same things you used to when you had more money and there are savings to be made.

Well done on finding somewhere to rent in this crisis!

There is one of these threads every day at the moment. OP says they earn well but feel poor, then go on to list the dozens of things they spend their money on, or (like in this case) that they 'only' have £1000 left after bills. Netflix, haircuts, car payments, days out, pet insurance, debts, eating out, subscriptions - yes they all cost money, so if you spend your money on those things you'll not have as much left. What people don't seem to consider is that modern life comes with loads more 'trappings' than it used to and they do of course cost money. Standards of living are generally far higher than they used to be, ergo more expensive. If people want to live the 1970s life style of no mobile, Internet, crappy old car, modest days out/ holidays/birthdays it would be much cheaper. Yes, I get that the norm is having much more these days, but surely it stands to reason that it is also much more expensive. A lot of people seem baffled that having lots of luxuries means spending most of your money on them.

Note, this is not about people in the breadline struggling to feed their families. It's about people who seem to expect to be able to afford many of life's extras' without considering that when there are so many available, it's not possible, even on a goodish wage, to have as many as you might want.

The concept of feeling hard up had really changed in the last couple of decades

Yes, he has them half of the time and feeds them and buys them what they need when he has them, he’s very good that way. this isn't him being very good, this is him fulfilling his obligation.
Hopefully it'll be sorted for you once the house is sold. Try if you can to use the equity to get back on the property ladder, and remember that this is a temporary hardship. As the children get older it'll be easier to work more hours and earn more.

But of course you're not going to be able to save 1000 a month when it's just you!

You are going to have to manage your expectations of what is doable and realistic.

A couple who both work and sharing a house and expenses will be able to save more than a single person in the same house with the same bills. Obviously?

Sounds like you are managing well and looking after yourself and your DCs. You should be proud rather than being disappointed.

Just be aware I don't think you can go on the council list if you own a property and you need to be on the list to get hap

You do need to look into what help you can get from the DWP/The Government. It's the same for millions of other people sadly. Not a lot you can do except try to increase your income or reduce your outgoings. Obvious I know. But there's not much else you can do.

Earn more.

Spend less..

Apply for financial help...