Single mum 45k a year in south east but just scraping by?

Perhaps swimming lessons just arnt affordable right now with cost and petrol?

@MidnightMeltdown

I have to agree! So many things are common now that are definitely a luxury in my view and then people wonder why they have no money.

Swimming and kids clubs are a huge luxury. I grew up in a single parent family in the 80s/90s and there would never have been money for stuff like that.

Considering that you're only working part time and claiming UC, you seem pretty well off tbf.

£200 sees a lot for ct if a small place and on own. Do you not get the 25% discount

i know
some on uc get a discount as well for ct. check to see if you are eligible

mine was 200 now 150 as single parent

I get you want nice food but £125 is a lot for 1 a and 2c

That’s what I pay. Well £200 for one child

works out £15per lesson. Usually 5 in a class v £10 a lesson and in a class

Kent is costly. I live there

least you get child maintenance from dad. I don’t

I live off something similar. Little slack. But I have quite a few one off costs to do with house maintenance. About to spend 700 on urgent issue and that totally throws it. Money goes nowhere now.

400 per term for swimming seems very expensive/excessive are they private?

It sounds like a lot goes on bits here and there.

Obviously your rent is huge but you are on a decent income and should be able to manage.

I’m on 66k in the south east, single parent and can’t afford to buy here. I have around 15 months until youngest of 3 finishes A levels and i’ve told my kids I am relocating back up north (one is there already) as I want to buy, and it’s so much cheaper up north, and I can easily change offices as I have a team up north. I have a few options where to move to, exciting times.

You do have to be able to afford to move as well though. For example OP would need to save money for moving costs, deposit, minimum of a months rent, money to cover any gap in employment while moving. Many landlords would ask for 6 months rent up front or a guarantor from a single parent. OPs kids would have to move schools and potentially OP move jobs which isn’t as simple as ‘just move’. And if she could afford to save all that money she wouldn’t be complaining here in the first place.

But depending where you move, 10k a year less can still result in a better standard of living.

The SE is expensive, the options are accept it or move (we chose move).

What a lovely post. I'm sure the OP found it more heartwarming than the ridiculous "Just move then" posts. I know I did

yes, I later realised is not just salary income but a combination of things and the rent is totally horrible thing. Shuddering here, a single mother with kids. Should be fairer

So if rent is 1.5k a month then you have 2.2k leftover, that should be ample to live on and save some. Could you list your outgoings so we could help you identify any overspending?

That’s why it’s not achievable for OP then unfortunately.

That was my response too! I think people skimmed over the ‘after tax’ part!

Splitting everything by 12, you have a monthly take home of approx £3750, rent is approx £1500 (agree that is criminal) but you do still have around £2250 left over, which is a lot of disposable income, even including bills?

tens of thousands on the first place and we have been in the second for 10 years now and my husband was overpaying until he could. So good equity as well

A lot of your income is maintenance and benefits. Do you have a plan for when the children turn 18? Hopefully you’ll be able to work and earn more at that point.
It’s housing isn’t it? Makes it impossible to do anything other than cope. Thanks goodness your children’s father at least pays decent maintenance. I think UC doesn’t take that into account so you’d be managing on 1000 less every month - or most likely not managing.
Your income is actually very high though at the equivalent of a 70k salary.

£1500 a month salary? Is that full time?

How much of a deposit did you put on your house?

It is all tied to my husband's salary which is less than yours, really less. I work part time and save all my money, sometimes I work 35 h a week, sometimes just 10

We do have holidays and when something needs replacing, replace it. My husband lost his savings due to the cost of living crisis but I have mine and they are not a secret. But really we do not make combined more than 30 000 smth and we spend a lot on food also.

Buy somewhere if you can....rents are horrible affair

You need a mortgage on a small place , even if it is a 2 bed flat, so the crazy rent stops. We run 1 small car, careful how many kids activities.

Mortgage here is only 700 pounds

The only way to live a comfortable life on an average-good salary now is to have multiple earners. I’m comfortable but only because my husband earns well, if it was just me, I’d be very tight indeed.

Do you have any family you could live with for a while (in a bigger place) to share costs?

Ultimately, whilst times are tight, it won’t last forever. You’re doing an amazing job raising two children, keep your chin up. You should be proud of all you’re accomplishing.

Don’t cancel contents insurance!! It’ll cost thousands if you have a fire and have to replace everything.

Agree with the rest, there must be ways to save on those food and fuel bills.