Can anyone as a single parent live off $ 29000 a year? I would love to get off government payments.. but I can't at this time (sucks). I am a working single mum.. I do 56 hours a a fortnight (permanent part time) and I get $1055 a fortnight after tax.. my rent is $573 a fortnight (government housing), phone/internet $70 fn, electricity $50 fn, food $140 pw, b4 and after school care $90 pw after rebates, = $1153. I don't own a car, have health insurance, own anything of value, not in debt (no credit card).
With all the cuts and now my son has turned 8 I am not loosing $300 fn.
Even if I could pick up an extra 8 hour per week (which I can't).
It would take me 4 buses (if I took him out of school care) total to get to the school and back.. and I wouldn't be able to work for more than 4 hours a day. I get part child support a lot of the time.. even though they doc his pay.??? (He is absolutely no help with extra time in his 2 nights a fortnight even in school holidays, no family here either).
I am on new start allowance even though I am working (and have been working for the last 24 years).. only because my hourly rate sucks.. but I love my job and they are so flexible. I thought of studying but can't due to you have to attend at some stage at the colleges in big city's (simply can't afford it and no one else to take care of my boy).
I really feel my life is crumbling b4 me.. (trying to save for braces is a nightmare. Going on a holiday is out of the question.. (never been on one))..
Why does life have to be ridiculously hard.. i have reached a point that I am just angry all the time.. this is such a freaking joke.
I know others have it worse than I do.. I know things could be a hell of a lot worse.. but I'm a bloody hard worker with good morals, I do what's best for my son and life seems like a slap in the face. Grrrrrr!!!!
Grrrrr life's slap in the face!!
Grrrrr life's slap in the face!!
Posted in:
Life Lessons, Self Care, Loss & Grief, Parenthood Guilt, Health & Wellbeing, Education, Kids, Money
10 Replies
I hear you. No holidays for me either! I'm pretty lucky because I can afford a gym membership every year, that saves my sanity, but that's only been the last two years when my son started receiving an adult disability pension, freeing up my income a bit, but that's 22 years of going without.
It sounds really tough and you sound like you are a great mum. The only thing that jumped out at me was perhaps you need a better job? I know you said you love it and that they're flexible, but it's clearly not working for you financially.
My qualifications consist of: kitchen hand, IGA supervisor, bar attendant, apprentice chef 3rd yr (hated it), pharmacy assistants the last 11 yrs..
Not sure how to qualify for decent wages.. in my position at the moment.. maybe in the distant future.. :-(
Im a kitchen hand/ bar attendant i get 23 ph during the day 26 after 7 pm 29 on Saturdays and 41 on sundays.. i would be checking your being paid the correct amount.. alson im 28 if that makes a difference
You need a higher wage. Or a housemate. Thats tight :(
What job are you doing? What's your pay rate? Adult min wage is $16.40 p/h 56 hours a week you should be pulling it in.
56x16.40= 918.40
918.40-20% = $734.32 p/w
$734.32x2 = $1469.44
If you aren't getting at least adult minimum wage here is Aus you may need to call your ombudsman. Sorry I'm a thinker and try and work out where things aren't working properly. Even if you are paying a little more tax you should still be getting more in the hand than what you are.
Sorry is ment to be 56 hrs per fortnight. *Edit.
Look up Mums Inc on facebook, there are courses you can do without having to attend any campus. I would also be applying for either a new job or a second job, it's alot easier to get a job while already employed.
Are you getting your FTB???