How do single mums afford to live?

[Sunflower2018]

I have a young baby and I currently live in a private rented home with my partner. We are really not getting on and I'm so tired of the relationship. I am still on Maternity leave from work, however, I am going to university in September.

My question is, how to single mums afford to live? Even with support from universal credit I won't have enough money to cover rent, bills, food, car ect. I need my car for transport/placements so getting rid of that is not an option...

Really feel like I have no options here.

It's hard and unfortunately it doesn't get any easier!

About the only benefit I can see is single person's council tax discount. Apart from that and food, I think every single other bill is the same as if you were together

OP I’d do everything possible to continue with your uni course. You’ll end up in a much better position long term if you have trained for a job with decent pay and prospects.

Check out all sources of finance and support. Post on here or MSE for advice on budgeting. Just think of the next few tough years as being an investment in your and your baby’s future.

I do hope you have some supportive family or friends around you too.

I budget to within an inch of my life and have very little money. It's what it is.

I disagree with the only benefit of being on your own is the council tax reduction. You happiness is priority. Yes financially is can be extremely hard. I've found many times over the years extremely stressful but I'd do it all over to love myself again and not stay in something where I was abused

Check on the student finance calculator what you will get, the deadline for September is very close! There's non repayable childcare grants available plus some uc and child benefit of course. But student loans (you are expected to take the maximum) count as income

Ngc2017 she was asking about finances so I was talking about financial benefits (of which there aren't many!). Yes if you had an abusive ex I imagine being single is a benefit :).

It doesn't get easier (financially) but you do take an amazing strength from managing on your own I find.

A friend moved back in with her Mum whilst at uni to save money and for childcare. Is that an option?

My niece has just become a single parent, she is a graduate and had a FT job and had bought her council flat with her DP. She gave up her job and is now at college doing another course and has got a lovely new build 2 bed council house. I’ve no idea how she got it especially as technically she still owns the flat jointly with her DP (non of my business I suppose).

With the help of loans and burseries and tax credits I managed a pgce. It was a tough year but we managed and so glad I did as I was then able to provide a better life for myself and my daughter. If it's what you want to do you will find a way.

The bursaries and tax credits are long gone now .

I have always worked full time including since I was divorced and earn 10x my husband ( I chose law as a career when I was 14 because it is well paid and I wanted a lot of children too). So that was the way we managed with me as a single mother. Probaly not much use to you unless you are going to Oxbridge with As at A level to start a stellar high paid legal career.......

Single parents’ circumstances are all different, OP. I delayed having children until I was in my mid thirties and qualified as a doctor, thinking I was being sensible.
My contract was terminated while I was pregnant, and my DH died while both DC were still in nappies. I had only managed to get a part time post, one day a week, and my childminder had a MH breakdown when DH died, so she had to stop work. Life is a bitch sometimes - you just have to pick up the pieces and get on with whatever will pay the bills.

If it's a PGCE you are going to struggle to have a job as well.

OP, I've just done 3 years full time at uni, single parent with 3 DC. It's possible! What I was earning on a minimum wage was more than covered by student loans and uni grants. You're best off speaking to finance at your university - they will know what's available to you, as different unis have different systems. Most have support in place though!

I'm so glad I did it - it's all very well to say 'you need to pay the bills now', but I'm in a much better place with a degree than I was before. You'll need to budget, and cut back on every luxury possible, and it's Hard Work - but so worth it if you can