To ask how to manage my finances

[SkintMama]

I’m about to leave a relationship after almost 10 years. We're engaged, wedding booked for next year, 2 DC together. But we’re not happy. Haven’t been for a while. I just confessed to him that I’ve been speaking to another man for a couple of weeks. The guilt was eating me up so I told him. We were already talking about the best way to separate.
Anyway, I’ve been a SAHM for a long time, recently started up a little business of my own(not making much profit yet) and I have a job in the evening a couple of days a week.
I’ve no idea how I’m going to cope financially? As it is, I currently need to find £370 a month. I’m just about managing this with child benefit and what I earn.
But now I’m going to move out, I’ll need so much more!
Will I have to sell my car? I own it outright but he pays for the upkeep of it

www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk/en

Thanks. I’ll have a look at that

I’m so scared. Just want to know everything will be ok for the kids sake

I would think as a lone parent you will be entitled to Universal Credit. Apply for it online the moment you separate- you may benefit particularly well due to self employment.
You need you keep your monthly earnings up to date so your payments will differ monthly.

Look at the Child maintenance calculator,
Also look at entitled to

Those should help you to plan

Could you look for ft job?

Can you ask Citizens Advice about benefits? They might help you get everything you are entitled to. Ask them as soon as you can, even before you move out.

I would make a list of your expenses.

One list of vital stuff like rent/mortgage, council tax, insurance etc

Then food clothes and other bills that if you are careful you can get away with the bare minimum

Then what income you have. Wages, benefits etc

The difference is what you need.

I am sure moneysavingexpert has a page on there to list everything down.

Until you know the figure you need you don’t know what you need to do.

He needs to pay maintenance, at least the CMS levels for his income.

I would also have him go halves on the extras eg childcare and clubs. That's what my ex and I do.

Look into whether you're entitled to any other benefits (probably universal credit)

You can't expect him to fund your lifestyle though - if you can't afford to run the car then you'll have to give it up. Don't expect him to pay for it because that's not reasonable.

Aim to be as self sufficient as you can. You will most probably need to get a job that pays more/more hours.