Please sort my money out

[Chairdrobe]

Would someone be able to help sort my money out please because I have been struggling to do it even though I know it should be easy, I get payed the last day of each month £600
I have a almost 1 yr old so need the essential baby things - milk, nappies, wipes mostly and sometimes buy the jar food but most of the time has what I have.
£200 on rent a month
I need to work the rest out on adult food, fuel for the car and things like clothes/toys for baby ( though they aren't as important because we are pretty stocked up )
I would like to save some but never seem to have anything left!?

Do you not receive child benefit or any other form of allowances based on your salary?

Definitely don't buy any toys as household things and doing things are more fun. E.g. drums with recycled plastic bottles and upside down saucepan.
Bulk cook & freeze meals e.g. mince & chopped tomatoes freezes well & can be added to rice/pasta/frozen mixed veg.

You earn £600 a month and pay £200 a month rent?

Add £600 you earn to child benefit. Take away rent, fuel for car. Don't you have to pay council tax, gas and electricity and water rates? Buy food go or you that baby can have too. You could make pasta Bolognese and macaroni cheese and freeze portions for baby. Mashed potatoes with sausages/fishfingers/turkey dinosaur etc. A slice of pizza. Don't buy jars they are unnecessary. Give baby chunks of banana. Scrambled egg and a toast soldier is very cheap and nutritious. My children were given a Weetabix and milk for breakfast. I don't understand why you don't have to pay other outgoings. Shop at Aldi for nappies and wipes.

Check out charity shops, you'll soon learn which are best. Also look for baby sales and school jumble sales.
You should be able to get everything for your little one, except possibly shoes secondhand.
Don't buy brands and cook from scratch. £600 is tight but you should be able to put £20 away at the beginning of each month.

How much are the rest of your bills?

What exactly is your expendable income after rent and bills?

You need to make a few lists. Write down;

Total income - including all benefits, maintenance, wages etc.

Total outgoing - Absolutely everything that is essential.

Next work out anything that could be cancelled/renegotiated e.g. TV package, mobile contract etc.

Food wise - Buy, cook and freeze in bulk. Your 1 year old can eat whatever you do.
Plan where you can.

Children's clothes and toys can be found cheaply at second hand markets, charity shops or online (Market place/eBay etc), join your local library for books for you and DD.

Is £600 pm your only income? Are you a single parent or do you have a partner? You should get child benefit, probably UC and maintenance from the child's father if you are separated, or if you have a partner, household and costs for the child should be shared fairly.

You say you can't save but £600 income is very very tight even with very low rent and you probably can't afford to run a car on that income.

You need to review all aspects of your income and expenditure. Moneysavingexpert is an excellent resource for making the most of your money and getting more financially savvy, which is what you need to 'sort your money out' no matter how much or how little you have. Start here, but look for the signposting for extra help in increasing your income, reducing expenses and getting help with any debt.

www.moneysavingexpert.com/banking/budget-planning/