Living on benefits as a single mum

[user1463007194]

Hello,

I am a single mum of mum currently studying to become a solicitor and on benefits. So hopefully my situation will change in the near future. For now however, I am trying to survive on £300 a month for food, travel etc and I'm really struggling. I shop in Aldi & batch cook, I try my best to be very careful but find myself running out of money. I sell a lot of things online which help get us through the money, but when this doesn't happen we struggle.

Would appreciate any other money saving tips!

Thank you

Just to add, I live in central London which is very expensive

You need to breakdown your spending if anyone can possibly advise.

What does that £300 Need to cover?

And presumably you should think of moving out of central London as a starting point.

I'm in a similar position but the money I have after bills is more like £20 not £300 😔 I try not to use anything single use -
Bin bags - I put it directly into the house bins, then the refuse bin and just wash things out.
Kitchen roll - cloths instead
Loo roll - washable wipes
Sanitary products- washable pads (did try a cup but didn't suit me)

Food I try to just buy things in clearance section but I also have to use Foodbank's

Make the most of points systems - nectar etc

Money save on utilities by getting a water meter and smart meter for gas and electric. I basically turn everything off at the plug apart from the fridge freezer at night (and I have the heating on if necessary since having kids).

If you're on Facebook there's lots of donate don't dump type sites now where people give things away for free and you may be able to request things

For my kids clothes it's all secondhand (as it most things I buy!) and I stash things in the next size up bit by bit as well as get things from free sites as above.

I used to have sky and broadband but now I have non of that, I just have digital tv and a DVD player and that does me so I don't have yet more monthly subscriptions.

Good luck it's hard work!!

No I can't move out of central London I've lived here all my life, I'm studying here, my family are here. You don't just "move out of central London" how does one even begin to just up and move as a single parent on benefits?! As I said, my financial situation should change soon but I was looking for money saving tips in the meantime

What does £300 include. For a family of one adult and one preschool/primary aged child £40 should cover food, toiletries and cleaning stuff, if you don't have a Lidl or Aldi it's worth taking a bus out every 3 months to stock up, you save literally £3 just on loo roll. Travel can be minimal by walking and cycling whenever possible. Clothes etc can be bought second hand or hand me downs as much as possible

Hello, so you have £20 for the whole month to live on, food included ? How do you manage that , I am sorry xx

Hey, yes I travel to aldi half an hour on the bus to get there every week as it's so cheap and great stuff. More than worth it! So that is food, travel and just general living. I'm probably spending £200 on food which leaves £100 for travel, and activities etc for my son. I rarely spend anything on myself.

Yes it's grim. I had to put flooring down in my house so have that to pay for til March, then I will be better off. Plus I was ripped off by car dealer so got in debt over that too. I do sadly have to rely on Foodbank's because there's not much to do other than that, my family help me out thankfully and I also sell everything as it's available after my kids outgrown it etc. The batch cook that you said you already do is my best money saver I think, but my other ideas do help a lot. Sometimes if you call your providers they can reduce things down too (phone contracts etc).

I'm so sorry and I really hope things get better for you soon xx I will follow your other tips too ! I sell literally everything now, it really helps doesn't it!

Have you used food banks?

The olio app might work well for you in central London. It works by allowing private individuals and businesses to give away left over food.

Do you have your own accommodation? Could you let it out at weekends sometimes and stay with your family? That could bring in a bit if you’re central.

I don’t know where you are in London but I used to do all of my fruit and veg shopping in East Street market near the Elephant, which was even cheaper than Aldi - eg 10 peppers for £1, 5 large oranges for £1, large box mushrooms £1. I also bought toilet paper and some other household bits there as well.

Make a budget of all your bills and as 1 adult, 1 son and family you can reduce your groceries a bit than 50 per week?
Id live on pasta, frozen sweet corn and peas, tinned tomatoes, beans and eggs.
What about your bills?
If you are in central, could you walk more than bus?

Do you have a water meter? If so, I found a baby bath dam helpful - my bill halved once I used one. Also I have a pan that I put the water in that runs cold before running hot iyswim and I use that water to use in the kettle or to use as pet water bowls etc. I do loads of stuff but its difficult to know what's not 'normal' these days