Feel so angry with the cost of living

[UnicornBoom]

Before covid I had 10k in savings. Now it's down to just over 1k. It's seen me through until my son goes to school in September, but I'm so angry it's all gone. Childcare fees have been over 1k a month for the past 3 years. My rent is 950. I live in a freezing cold house. I will never be able to go on holiday if things continue like this (I know that's a luxury but it would be nice to take my son on a 'cheap' holiday somewhere). I go to bed every night worrying about money. I'm entitled to social housing but have over 1000 people on the list in front of me and have been told it will be 10 years until I get somewhere. I'm in my early 30s and feel like this is just fucking up all of my plans. I'm frugal but just don't have enough to live comfortably. I'm constantly in tears, and just worry so much about money. Will this ever get better?

Far from it. It’s recognition of privilege.

It is shit. Nothing else to say really.

Privilege? 10k?? Wow looks like the Tory bots are out in full force.........

talkingoutofmyheartlessarse

^ Check and see if that username is taken

oh right, because £10k in savings is just a pittance in your world, which isn’t at all privileged 🙄

I love it when people suggest to those struggling that they should move.

No money to put the heating on but they're gonna find the cash needed for a house move. Hilarious. 🙄

Hang in there OP. I hope not having nursery fees to pay come September will help you have a tiny bit spare. Please buy yourself something that month, maybe a new winter coat.

I agree the snidey comments aren't helpful. And it's not a game of misery top trumps either. The op is allowed to be fed up.

You have absolutely no idea how the OP managed to save that amount in the first place - what sacrifices it took, or how long it took her, only to watch it dwindle rapidly because of the outrageous costs of childcare and rented housing in this socioeconomic weapon we call a country.

Get real and stop bullying the struggling.

That was to @talkingoutofmyheartlessarse

People always swan in and suggest moving.

Like moving isn't extremely expensive in and of itself.

OP is a working single parent, her child is settled in nursery and nearly in school. It wouldn't make sense to uproot and have all the stress and change that comes with that.

OP: I’m struggling to find a job, let alone one that pays enough to feel comfortable
Posters: move house to where you can find a better job

OP: I moved house to where I have a better job but my rent is crippling
Posters: move house to where the rents are cheaper

You guys. You must surely realise that a) moving costs a lot, and b) moving to solve one problem causes the other.

This is really helpful advice to the OP who already has a child.🙄

I still don't understand the childcare bill, how OP gets UC, which seems to mean 85% reduction, and the 30 hours, and yet pays £1000/month on childcare. For a single preschooler. Does OP have a nanny earning £10k/month?

Happy if someone can talk us through how that happens.

Yup, £30k++ salary, UC, £10k in savings but we have to "be kind" because she's struggling.

Yes keep sniping at OP instead of raging at the real problem: a single mum to a pre-school aged child working full time and spending almost 4/5 of her income on rent and childcare. It's a fucking scandal and I bet you voted for it.

It bears repeating: her precious savings, which should give her a cushion against all kinds of extra expenses, have been reduced by almost 9/10 because of the cost of living crisis, which for many of us has been building for years.

The best you can do is slag her off and accuse her of crying poverty? What the fuck is wrong with you?

This is such good advice. Hang in there. Once your child is in school you can build up savings again. His father should be contributing more. I'd be reporting him to CSA. If you live in an expensive area if your job was WFH I'd seriously consider moving somewhere cheaper up North. My son did this and he could afford to buy a house instead of renting.

I don't care if OP makes £800k a month. I just don't understand how their childcare adds up to > £1000/month, for one kid, when they get full UC benefits & 30 funded hours.

UC will only pay a certain amount of the childcare so OP still needs to pay for some. She has also used a lot of her savings up. What is to be envious about that?

@usernamealreadytaken how can she 'choose' to live somewhere cheaper?? Do you know what rents are in her area? I live in a Midlands inner city terrace.... £900 pcm. My colleague is in a mortgaged house... £350 pcm. Mine also as a result of a bastard man.
If you can't make helpful suggestions just lay off.

Op as has been said... be proud of yourself, and the lessons you are teaching your child. Things will ease once childcare has reduced and there is light at the end.

I’m constantly worrying at night about my bills and debts. I have a partner but he seems to think it’s okay to not help provide. I try to give my daughter the best life she can have. I’m working part time and on universal credit but it only just gets me by.

@UnicornBoom how are things now

Assume ds started school I. Sept so childcare went down

This. The child's father should be paying the CMS amount. He obviously doesn't give a shit about his DC. I'd move to a cheaper area if you can.

Can you move to a cheaper area to live you'd get cheaper rent and cheaper childcare.

It dwindled because the father of her child doesn't pay proper maintenance payments for his DC.