Slowly sinking

[Lovemusic82]

I need to try and sort out my money, I seem to have more going out than going in. I’m in a pretty awful situation as I am a carer to dd2 who is almost 18, she needs 24 hour supervision when at home and is only on a part time timetable at college with extra long holidays (already broken up for Christmas) so I can’t hold down a full time job or even a decent part time job. I am trying to get her moved from college to a full time placement and she’s also looking for a residential placement for 18+ (but this could take some time). Most of her PIP money gets used up for things she breaks and for trips out once a week with her carer (she has 2 hours respite care a week), the mobility component is used for a car.

I get most the rent payed and £178 tax credits a week but this isn’t really covering bills. I get £76 carers allowance each week. Child benefit £100 per month.

Gas £30-£40 a week in winter
Electric £40 a week
Food £50-£65 a week
Broadband £15 a week
water £10
Fuel for the car £30 a week (we live rurally so can’t really get this down)
Phones £10 a week
Pet food £15 a week
insurances £10 a week (life insurance, contents insurance)
debt to HRMC due to overpayment £5 a week.
Dd’s travel to college £85 a month
£20 a week saved for Christmas or emergencies

This doesn’t include extras like hair cuts, tv licence, new glasses (last month), any extras for the house.

Im not sure there’s anything I can cut back on? We rarely eat out anymore, rarely buy clothes for myself (if I do it’s vinted), broadband is coming to an end so I can shop around for a better deal. We grow our own veg which saves a few £ and have cut back on meat intake. Christmas has really made things tough, I try and save but dd1 needed a bus pass for uni which set me back £500 and wiped out the Christmas fund.

DD1 back from uni next week so food shop will go up.

Ideally I need to find some work I can do from home it I’m struggling to find anything. Hopefully things will get easier when dd turns 18 and is in a full time placement (so I can work) but at the moment it’s just one big struggle. I wake up feeling anxious with the worry of how we are going to keep going. I know there are many others in a similar situation. Any tips on how to save some money?

And yes I have checked I am claiming all I am entitled too.

When dd2 is at home is she safe? Can you work at the table and she watches tv for eg. Because if you could do this I would focus all my efforts on retraining. There are so many jobs where you can work from home and be paid really well. Even if you had to go to an office 1/2 a week you would be able to afford care privately. If I were you I would re train as a developer or accountant? You would be able to train at home too. Once you are independent you will be in a mush stronger position financially.

Sorry to hear ur story,have u got room to take a logder in that would help

Yes, my home is set up to be safe for her so when she’s home she doesn’t need as much supervision (she just needs me to be here keeping an eye in her), she’s happy to be on her iPad or doing a craft project so I could work from home. I just need to do some basic computer skills training as I’m not very good with computers (but I pick things up quickly). I could easily go into an office a couple times a week when dd is at college and work from home the rest of the week as long as they realise I can’t be in office during school holidays (though this should change when dd turns 18).

OP try the civil service for work, can’t rate it enough for flexibility. You can work term time only, and most are hybrid so a couple of days in office but can be flexible on days etc. Check out civil service jobs

Yes I am public sector and although I work incredibly hard they are also very flexible in relation to my child's illness and my own, time off even at short notice is never an issue