I have £0 and I cannot be in this position again.

[PlainJane74]

Hey. I am a working lone parent to2 children. I am the walking definition of on the breadline right now.
I officially have no money to my name as I type and because nursery needs to be paid out of my next tax credits payment due on Saturday, I have no money until the following Saturday.
I’m going to be okay (just) as I went food shopping on Monday. I have dinnersand just enough for a lunchbox for oldest DC tomorrow. I can do tinned and frozen food for the kids over the weekend.
I’m writing this post because I need help and guidance to not be in this position again. I get what I think is a decent amount of money to live on but here I am for the 5th month scraping by, credit cards maxed out and scavenging for change.
Please help if you can, I am completely ready to overhaul my finances. Thank u

I'm 47, I've just renewed my car insurance on my 4 yr old CMAX for £180 for the year which would have been £15 pcm. £50pcm is very expensive!

Well yes, but the op most likely isn’t 47 with many years of no claims and doesn’t live where you live.

Giffgaff mobile for £7.50 pcm plus no contract compared to your EE £60 pcm

But that will be a sim only contract. As the op says she is paying for the handset also.

Absolutely hilarious people saying that £1000 a month is expensive for rent. Affordable rents through housing associations where I live are going for £970pm for a three bed so please rethink your comments. Anyway to move requires a huge amount of upfront cash so it's never as simple a thing to do as some make out.

Op have you checked your housing benefit is correct? I'm assuming then if it is they've used your child maintenance as income, double check if that's correct for your local authority.

As others have said, a proper income and expenditure needs to be created, it's quite eye opening when it's completed.

Shopping at Aldi doesn't always turn out as cheap. Proper meal planning is needed, I always buy fruit and veg that's in their 5thingy. I always have a list with exactly what's needed, no deviating with extras that we really don't need.

Hi there plainjane
There are several debt management threads on this board
and the frugaleers threads
that are full of advice and ideas about how to reduce spending

one thing for you to bear in mind is that there is definitely light at the end of the tunnel for you
because the killer childcare years stop soon
and you'll complete your training so be less reliant on the tax credits

get your budgeting sorted
and hang on in there