Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

See all MNHQ comments on this thread

Single parent money worries

12 replies

Soworriedxxxxx · 17/04/2023 21:20

I can't cope with the financial crisis anymore. I'm paying minimum I can pay on bills monthly. I buy the cheapest of food. I use about 20 pounds a month in water yet my water company are saying minimum I can do monthly is 45 pounds? I don't get why I would need to pay over double! Council tax got mucked up last year so I'm having to pay last year's as well as this year's together, I even get the reduction. My daughter is 9, her father left when she was only a few weeks old and he cannot be found as he left the country. I get nothing from him. My parents have died unfortunately. This evening was the last of my stress. I am entitled to free school meals, but my daughter hates them, so she's been having packed lunches. she's such a picky eater it's unreal. I explained calmly she will need to go back to school dinners are they are free. She had a massive strop and slamming doors etc. I kept calm and explained that mummy doesn't have much money. There's a salad type bar at her school with pasta, croutons, cucumber etc which she likes and she can have that along side of her main. There's jacket potato with beans but she had one potato once which was half hard and she refuses it now.

I skip meals so my daughter can eat in the evenings. Or I literally eat whatever is left even if its not a proper meal.

In tears as I write this. I don't know what to get out of this post. I'm stuck.

OP posts:
Soworriedxxxxx · 17/04/2023 21:22

My outgoings are a bit more than my incomings. I'm not in debt... Yet. Fed up completely.

OP posts:
Choccyeggs20 · 17/04/2023 21:22

I’m so sorry this is awful. Could you use a food bank at all? It’s dreadful how bad things are. I’m sorry I have nothing more useful to suggest.

Freshstarts22 · 17/04/2023 21:24

Do you have any community kitchens near you? At my local one ylu can get 16 items for £4.
Are you claiming benefits you are entitled to?
Are there any outgoings you could get rid of, phone contacts etc?

Pawtucketbrew · 17/04/2023 21:26

Single parent here so I do get the worries of one income. Are you getting all the benefits you are entitled to and are you working full time as your DD is by the sounds of it in full time education.

Assuming you are in receipt of some benefits the CoL payment of £300 is coming over the next few weeks which sounds like it could be a huge help to you so something to hold on to.

I am LP to one DD and my water is £15 month so not sure why yours is so high. Also talk to council tax people if you can repay the overpayment at minimum amount rather than paying double eg when I had been overpaid in benefits I repayed it at £20 month.

Look at the £10 day thread on here. You might be able to do some surveys of an evening. I have at times done bits and bobs evening time as I'd only be sitting on MN anyway!

Just a few things off the top of my head. Good luck

MilkshakeEarthquake · 17/04/2023 21:28

It’s not just you I have 4 kids and get no maintenance either and my kids are also on packed lunches it’s costing a fortune! Sadly can’t get a penny off my ex and just get told not to rely on it

Pawtucketbrew · 17/04/2023 21:29

Also the fact that you're not eating properly is not going to help your MH so check out websites with great low cost recipes eg basics of pasta, baked potatoes, baked beans and so on to fill you up. You can try food banks and apps like Olio for free leftover foods.

ThePlacesYouWillGo123 · 17/04/2023 21:30

Don't be afraid to ask the school for help, I know schools have a "hardship fund" which can be used to help families in need

Heroicallyfound · 17/04/2023 21:31

Single mum here too. Sorry it’s tough right now.

Do you work? What field? Is there anything we could help suggest to improve your salary?

Could you talk to the council about changing your repayment plan for the year they messed up - maybe stretch it over 2 years instead?

Could you talk to the water company again? I pay £28 a month, not sure why they’d have a minimum of £45.

Holshicup · 17/04/2023 21:31

Are you on a water meter op? It may be cheaper if not. I'm a single parent and pay a lot less each month

Definitelynotem · 17/04/2023 21:33

Could you list your income and outgoings OP? We may be able to help find some areas to cut back or to increase income. It sounds really rough x

Lily0719 · 17/04/2023 21:33

Happy to donate if you wanted to set up a go fund me. Im so sorry you’re having such a hard time. My heart goes out to you.

LilyMumsnet · 17/04/2023 22:16

Hi all,

We always ask users to remember that not everyone on the internet is who they say they are – and remind folk not to give more to another poster, either financially (in cash or gifts) or emotionally (in time or care and support) than they'd be prepared to lose if things went wrong. We strongly advise against parting with any cash or giving away your personal details, and if you receive a PM which makes you uneasy - report it to us and we’ll take a look.

OP, We've compiled some useful links posted by Mumsnetters into a financial issues webguide, so that people experiencing difficulties can find all the relevant information in one place - we hope that it's useful for you. Flowers

Mumsnet's financial guide - homelessness, bills, food and more | Mumsnet

Facing financial issues with the rising cost of living? Find helpful tips, advice, and support from real Mumsnetters on everything from bill costs, food, homelessness, and the support groups available.

https://www.mumsnet.com/articles/financial-issues-guide

New posts on this thread. Refresh page