Can I survive on this?

[duckingrow]

I’m very sorry if this is a bit tone deaf, but I’m struggling to get my head around my future.

In short, it’s really beginning to look like my marriage may be coming to an end and I’m trying to see what life may be like afterwards. I have been with DH for 15 years and we have one DC aged almost 6. I think DC will likely stay with me most of the time.

I work and earn just over £33k pa. I receive child benefit. If we sold the family home I’d like to think I’d be able to buy a smaller place with a mortgage of maybe around £50k or so. For various reasons, I’m not sure I’d seek child maintenance although I know I could and perhaps should.

I’m worried about increasing costs of living etc and I’ve never lived alone before. I am worried about having to manage everything on my own. I also know people manage on less.

just looking for thoughts, info and I guess some reassurance. Info like what are usual levels of outgoings etc. Thanks for reading.

I earn approx the same and have a mortgage of £70k so really comparable. I'm fine, we have holidays and a really nice life, I allocate approx £350 pm for food and same for "spends", I'm not scrimping and saving but not flashing the cash either. I'm always on top of my bills though making sure everything is as low as can be etc

Very much depends what you are used to

also - why would you not claim maintenance for the child ? Even if you just used it for clubs and treats for the child

Depends entirely on your bills, attitude to money and lifestyle expectations.

Some people could feel quite comfortable, others would consider it unmanageably tight.

Consider bills when choosing a property. There's another single mum with a thread running who's utility bill is £300 pm because she's in a drafty Victorian 3 bed. Get a more modern property and it should be about half that.

Look at Moneysavingexpert.com for advice on budgeting and maximising your income. A few tweaks can make a massive difference with little objective difference in lifestyle.