to think this should be more than enough to live of?

[Jennyscarkey]

I am feeling really shit at the moment. I never seem to have any money and I work long hours and thought I had a decent income. I’m one of the lowest paid in my team but I came from a poor background and I’m just grateful to have had the opportunity to earn more than minimum wage. Yet even though I earn more than I ever thought possible for someone like me and where I grew up, I don’t think I can manage my money at all? My take home pay is 3,600. I am a single parent and also get 300 on top of this for maintenance. My rent is 900 and my little girl goes to nursery full time and that costs 1,400 a month. I claim the tax free part. I don’t have other outgoings expect 200 a month on a loan and usual utilities. Don’t have sky or Netflix etc.

I have gone through my cards to see what I’m spending and honestly it is just food, petrol, entry to soft play or a lunch here and there. I don’t buy clothes or make up or go on holiday. I was paid again yesterday and I had 2 pounds left before the money came in. I just don’t know where I am going wrong? I will never be able to afford a mortgage at the way this is going.

Quite bizarre reading posts from SAHMs suggesting to spend what would probably add to an equivalent of another working day on top of her schedule, just for all meal prep and trips to cheaper supermarkets

Eh? People have suggested batch cooking (=time saving). The cheaper supermarket isn't necessarily further away, how odd to assume that, and what seems to be the obvious problem is that the OP is already shopping 3 times a week and buying far far more food than she needs. Or that she doesn't have a good handle on where her money is going. That's what people are suggesting, not spending hours more time shopping or prepping food.

Because you're a SINGLE parent. You've got to provide a home for two people, feed and clothe two people, on one salary. I am on the same sort of money as you OP

And there are people who have to feed, clothe and transport two adults on that sort of money, which obviously costs more than one adult and one pre-schooler.

Disagree. Two can live as cheaply as one, largely because there is built in companionship/social life, childcare, support with household/administration tasks. Being a single parent is much more expensive than being half of a double.

The single parent can earn more than 2 parents together. Our family income is £42k for a family of 5.
That is less money coming in than the OP.
We should stop assuming that 2 incomes are automatically higher than 1. It depends on the salary!

To.me this is a high wage. Accept children cost money though