single pregnant and no money :(

[danixx]

I'v recently fallen pregnant with my first child (8 weeks along)

The father is not my partner we started the fling both of us knowing he was moving to spain which he has done.

My decision was to keep the child, it would kill me to have an abortion, it would haunt me forever, but it is pannicking me that me and the child are going to struggle BIG TIME.
I'm just wondering if there are any other ladies in my situation, will i cope?
i've just passed a level 2 college course in beauty therapy and currently supervise a bar so i dont have a career or any savings

in my area i would get 600 housing benefits a 2 bed flat/house would be about 750-800 plus bills food car clothes etc

any advice or stories is appreciated xx

600 housing benefits plus child benefit plus his child suppport. Have a look for a one bed flat. You will have roughly 75 percent of your childcare bills paid for you, additionally, in order that you can return to work should you choose.

Are you a contracted permanent staff member in your job? If so you will be entitled to maternity pay whilst you get to grips with motherhood and recover from the birth.

Would your college course plus any experoence enable you to set up on your own as a mobile beautician?

I've worked out I'd receive 1200 in help including housing
And yes I could set up mobile would this affect my benefits?

Depends - im no expert. I think you can work 16hrs and still claim.

Someone else on here will know more though!

Yeah you can. Just won't be able to strait away not when I have a new born, just want to know how possible it is to live on 1200 a month with aprox 750 rent to pay x

I think it would be more realistic if you can survive without a car/ maybe car share? Thats always the most unpredictable outgoing, one thing wares out and sucks up your free cash for the next 6 months.
Its do able, but be under no illusions that there would be luxuries.

Yeah iv considered the car situation might have to do that!! Also does anyone have any idea.. What's a reasonable amount to ask the father to pay??

When your baby is born, won't you be eligible for child tax credit and working tax credit?
That should boost your income significantly.
Has your child's father given you any indication of how much he is expecting to pay once your baby has arrived?

The reason why I'm asking is because iv not decided on what to do yet, abortion is an option for me because I am just not ready. As selfish as that sounds
Yes iv included all that in the 1200 x

I haven't been in your situation, but, as a single parent, I would say that what will make a big difference to your financial situation is how much support you can expect from your baby's father. If he is prepared to step up and contribute towards your child's everyday needs and participate in his/her life then that will help enormously, not just financially, but also in terms of your own welfare.

Does he know you're pregnant?

dani since you say abortion is an option for you I thought I would just add that I had an abortion at 21 when I got pregnant during a fling. I chose that because I had no job, nowhere to live, & no relationship with the father. I felt a bit sad about it for about 6 months afterwards & then I think my head/hormones cleared & ever since then I have thanked my lucky stars I made that choice. I have 2 DC now so I have a real perspective on how unprepared I was back then. That is NOT to say that I think you should do the same, but I just wanted to put a positive story about ending an unplanned pregnancy out there as you say you are considering it.

Thank you for the comment Elizabeth, i couldn't feel any less prepared :( x