How would you get out of poverty if you were me?

[Fedupandpoor]

I am 36, two children under 6 and a single parent. Ex DP is useless. I have no family, no proper qualifications and no savings of any kind.

I am so fucking sick of being poor and struggling by on UC and minimum wage jobs. I want a good life for my kids, not rich but comfortable and not having to choose between heat and food.

What is the quickest and best way to dig myself out of this hole? My passion is fitness, yoga, meditation, sewing and alternative health. I have started teaching a kids fitness group that I absolutely love but it brings in pennies. I have another training booked in April to teach the same thing but to children with additional needs, however as I have no reliable childcare it is difficult to run many classes.

What would you do if you were me? Is there anyone who has been in my situation that managed to break out? Before anyone jumps on to lecture me about why I had kids and got into this situation, I know it was fucking stupid. I can only put it down to a horribly abusive childhood and then abusive ex partner as well as my own stupidity. But I've dealt with that shit now and it's time to move on

What’s your current job? Usually the quickest way is to go for a more senior job in your current line of work.

I would get a job (any job) that paid a regular reliable wage.

Your not in a position to consider your 'passions'

Some schools employ outside agencies for mindfulness, sports and yoga.

You can approach schools to run a morning class?

What sort of town/city do you live in? Is there a university?

You might want to get advice on going through CSA to get maintenance from your ex. Lots of experience on here about that.

Someone started a kids sewing club in our village that has been very successful - I don't know whether they got funding of kind for a bunch of sewing machines. Another mum I know offered individual after school sewing lessons (like tutoring) for a good hourly rate (plus materials). You'd have to make sure your home was set up for that though.

Making items on commission was also very lucrative for this person. She made all sorts of things and certain communities in our area were prepared to pay top dollar for bespoke prom-type dresses and hair accessories.

You sound like me.
I’d get a job that you don’t need qualifications for, think supermarket/carer etc
Build up a business as a yoga and fitness instructor.
If ex sees kids make sure it’s done via court so it’s regular, if not get a babysitter, if not put your plans on hold and save everything you can.

Or become a stripper 🤷🏻‍♀️

What work are you doing at the moment?

Is there any business grants available for training, yoga and meditation can be a good earner, esp in the summer where you can hold classes outside.

This is easier said than done but look at entry level jobs with a clear career path. Eg many hospitality jobs value people who want to work their way up. Sounds like you need a secure job first rather than a higher paid but riskier job.

Why does the teaching fitness only bring in pennies? In the right area you could be sitting on a gold mine if you do it for yourself rather than employed? Are your kids at school/nursery? Once they both are then it should be straightforward enough to run term time classes. You could even look to employ someone to run more classes, franchise etc!

Could you do something you're not passionate about - plumbing apprentice as a left field example?

Are you being too idealistic? Choose career with money, or something you enjoy for peanuts. What's the priority?

I don’t really have any practical advice but good on you! I hope you can find something that incorporates your passions and makes you some more money! Keep at it

Set yourself up as a personal trainer?

I agree with Agatha though. You need money rather than passions. In your position I'd get some qualifications that lead to a decent job, even if it's boring.

Listen to Dave Ramsey.

Look for a job that had accommodation. Housekeeping or a big hotel.

Are the kids in school? If so do a job, any job whilst they are.

Listen to Dave Ramsey.

Ask for help. In my situation I'd ask for help from my church. If you were my neighbour or friends or even acquaintance I'd be more than happy to have your kids in the holidays.

I'd treat the yoga etc as side hustles. Run a few classes in local village halls of an evening. Get a local teen to sit with the kids once they're in bed.

Good luck and well done for trying. It must be really tough.

however as I have no reliable childcare it is difficult to ...
Everyone has the same problem: can you go into nannying / childminding.
I have no idea of the set-up costs, though.

You could see if there are any jobs going at your kid's nursery. It's cheaper for them to take someone with no qualifications and train them up than employ someone already qualified.

What qualifications do you have? It will be easier to advise if we know what you do/don’t have.

Have you considered training to become a swimming teacher, I do this part time in addition to my job and the hourly rate is very good

Hey, sympathies. It’s tough.

Try to tackle this by breaking it down.

1. make sure you’re not paying too much on all the boring things - utilities and insurances

2. Make sure you’re getting all free money’ -you can - cash back sites, loyalty points etc

3. try to find sources of passive income - things that make you many without doing anything. Rent out a car parking space, sell photos, sell teaching resources - think creatively

4. any extra money you can make from home. Look into doing surveys and matched betting

5. then think long term - can you retrain so that when the kids are older and need childcare less you have the skills to earn more with your new found time?

Your areas of expertise are not mine, but I’m sure there is money is kids fitness and yoga. Can you really try to expand these? Make sure you are using as much free advertising as possible, offering what’s wanted (mum and baby yoga, link kids fitness into activities for parents and so on). Try to get working at a school by offering an after school club, or in a gym. You should be able to earn £30 plus an hour from that.

Please don’t despair, and don’t call yourself stupid - you certainly don’t sound it.

You could also run parent and child joint classes, most parents end up just sitting watching and then go to their own classes. Why no combine them?

Retrain/register as a childminder, particularly if you can offer wraparound care and extra fitness sessions

I’d organise reliable childcare and look for a better paid job that doesn’t need qualifications. That means a job that mostly men do, like a bus or train driver, van delivery driver. I’d think of the jobs that unskilled or semi skilled men do, as they all pay better than “ womens work “ .

Id not even consider a job in all the areas you mention . They are for people who don’t need the money each week to pay the bills.

That’s what I’d do.

We seem to have a shortage of female PE teachers in our area. Is this something you would consider?

Teach kids in an affluent area yoga

Are you really good at English grammar and writing?
You could do an online/work from home job as a freelancecopywriter. You basically proofread and correct material before it gets published.
Over time, you can qualify to become an editor specialising in the wellness/fitness industry.

The pay is really good and you set your own hours so perfect for having young children.

In the right area, you could be fleecing the yummy mummies for kids' fitness classes, mini-yoga or whatever. Could you pitch yourself at some upmarket gym?