I hope that you are well and that you continue to thrive

Depending on which state you’re in will determine what you maybe entitled to for utility help.
Here is a link to a Government site that will provide a list of help and phone numbers for each state. https://www.moneysmart.gov.au/managing-your-money/managing-debts/trouble-with-debt/problems-paying-your-utility-bills

You will see a phone number for the Salvation Army there, they can help you with other things as well. All the best.

Great advice other mums have given especially Wendy. I also would suggest food banks/handouts in your area also maybe a talk to the Salvation Army or the like would help. Also maybe you could consider doing a bit of ironing for others or delivering catalogs for some extra money.
Any way I am wishing you luck and good wishes.

Find out about utility relief grants. The paper work can be obtained through utility providers and as a health care card holder you are entitled to a once off payements on bills for up to $500 thats water gas and electricity every 2 years. Find out about food banks in your area as they also often help out with toys over xmas. I suggest start fly buys and other rewards programs good luck im also a single mum and i know it can be tough, for us at times.

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  • • hopefullyheidi replied
    • 19 Jul 2014 , 1:35 pm

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  Thanks for your advice Wendy. It is tough. They certainly aren’t forthcoming with telling you about these grants. That is wonderful I’m going to look into that.

I really could understand what you are going through. It’s hard when you have been used to receiving a certain amount of money and then find it’s reduced and have to try to revise your budget, which can be nearly impossible in this day and age of high cost living. It’s hard to shave back on things that are impossible to shave back on. I really hope that you have a windfall sometime soon and someho something comes along to help you out. It’s very easy to slide into depression when money is the key is, as it governs so much of what we can and can’t do in our lives and is a key stressor for many people. Wishing you the absolute best of luck and don’t give up.

It is so hard to have to keep juggling. I have the same rollercoaster experience and it is worse when it happens for no reason. Deep breaths and game face on – you are not alone as there are many of us struggling.

I have never been in your situation so cant offer you any advice on that but have you been to centrelink and discussed with them the problems you now face and ask if there is anything else that they could possibly do for you.
Also maybe apply to some supermarkets as i know they employ alot of mums that can only work around school hours.
Good luck i hope something comes up for you.

I’m so sorry. Perhaps Centrelink could refer you to a financial counsellor to help you work out a new budget?

It’s not easy for a lot of people these days. I hope you have family and friends around that support you and that you come through this step backwards stronger than ever. Good luck.

thanks for all the comments I realise im not the only one out there in this situation hopefully ill get there I wont give up

It’s so wearying mentally trying to balance a budget, without having income cut for no good reason. Those politicians in their ivory towers who make these rules would soon change their minds if they had to try and survive like so many of us do. But we all know that will never happen. It would be a cold day in Hell before a politician had to make the choice of buying either food or medication.

Wow that’s a big cut to anyone’s income. No wonder you’re stressed out .

Can you do any work from home to try and supplement your income?

I completely understand how you feel. I’ve been through the ringer this year and in the middle of a custody case enforced upon me, my boy turned 8, so I wasn’t even able to get my super out to try and pay my mother back the thousands she lent me. My elderly grandma had to take a loan out to help me out and the guilt I feel is so intense. I work full time and even that’s not enough. My ex earns a big wage and he’s neglecting to pay the amount of child support he should, so I had no choice but to go to child support and probably wait 3 months to get the appropriate amount paid. I have extra medical expenses for my child and the specialists cost a packet. I have to put this into my child support claim as well. This is all well and good but I’m worn out from spending my lunch time of only half an hour on the phone putting out spot fires and as articwynter says borrowing from Peter to pay Paul. Very tough. Every avenue I went through said sorry we can’t help you. Very hard living. I hope something comes your way to pep you up soon. I’m not even looking forward to tax time as I don’t win there either. Sorry to blurt my story as well, just empathising as I can feel your frustration.

Yikes! It really is tough being a mum, but having the burden of finding extra cash like that is really troubling. Maybe try and redo your budget and try to find thrifty ways to save. Good luck!

I can understand your stress and such as you can only budget so far. I don’t understand how they can you that as your child did not cost more to feed cloth ect than the child did at 7. You just need to go through your budget and see where you can trim a bit more off the bone and also see where you can rob peter to pay paul. I would like to see how those who put these policies in play would live on nothing but a center link payment

That must be extremely hard although dont get totally disheartened. If you cant go back to work find something that interests you. Is there anyway you can make a dollar out of doing it? Also do you have anything around the house that might be worth something? Can you trade in your car for a cheaper model? Just some ideas but I hope they help. Good Luck.

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  • • Michelle replied
    • 29 Jul 2014 , 2:46 pm

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  I like your ideas, they are good short term ones that could make a difference.