Can a single mother survive on less than 20,000 per year?

Staragate, ADN, ASN, RN · Mar 12, 2012

It depends on a lot of factors that only you can figure out.

#1 Make a budget. Figure out your income and expenses and see if it balances out. If not, you have to make tough decisions to make it work.

Make allowances for school costs, books, health insurance.

Apply for FAFSA financial aid. You will most likely qualify if you haven't burned up education credits already.

#2 Get a support system. Even though you have a source of child care, you need to make arrangements with family and friends for baby sitting when the kid is too sick to go, you have to study, etc.

#3 TIME MANAGEMENT! That has been my biggest hurdle with school. My teenagers have their own schedules, my husband has his and a nursing student has very complicated schedule she needs to attend classes/clinical/study. Include "ME" time in your schedule or you will go bonkers between school and your baby. :)

CDEWannaBe · Mar 12, 2012

If possible, try to live at home. It's cheaper to pay a small amount in rent to your parents than to try to afford, rent, utilities, food, etc. The emotional support and help you will get with the baby will be invaluable too. You're going to need someone to help on days when you have work/a test and baby is sick and can't go to daycare.

Daycare is a big expense. For an infant it's usually around $100 - $150/week. It may be more if you're working nights or evenings.

A car is a big expense too, but since you need reliable transporation it may be more realistic than the bus. I'd estimate at least $50-$100/month for insurance. Not sure how much tags are in Texas. Estimate gas at $5/gallon since it's supposed to be that high by summer.

You can definitely be a good mom, just make sure to ask for help from your family. You might need to focus on providing for yourself and your baby first, then start school when you are able.

twinsmama · Mar 12, 2012

Budget, support system, and get government assistance.

I am a single mom of twins living off 16k a year in TN, only because I have daycare assistance from the govt and am living at home.

To be 100% self supporting of myself and my children I would have to be making a bare minimum of 28k and it would be rough.

GodsSon128 · Mar 12, 2012

good luck

damrcngrl95 · Mar 12, 2012

That's about $1500 take home. I lived in Arlington about 10 years ago and it was expensive. You should qualify for help with school as a single parent. Even the Junior Colleges will have small affordable apartments for families. Apply for your FAFSA now as a single parent and then go to the school and talk to financial aid about housing and your options. The schools also should have information about health insurance, but for now you may qualify for CHIPS as you are under 20 years old. You should qualify for grants and if interested, loans to help pay for school expenses as well as living expenses.

I have been in your shoes and it is worth the struggle to have the education. My mom couldn't help me very much. I hope your dad will come to his senses and realize that your education needs to be a family priority and will help you out at least a little. A car would be a huge help. Good luck and stick with it.

ladyruth18 · Mar 13, 2012

Thanks i plan on living at home as long as i can but if im kicked out i need to have a plan so thats why im saying living on my own. A few family is there but im not sure if they really want to be or will they be influenced by the man of the house. thanks for ur help

ladyruth18 · Mar 13, 2012

filled out FAFSA already i qualify for the full amount and yes i know that i need education and that i have to make the sacrifices. Some people say i just need to work a crappy job until the baby can attend school but that wont help either of us. i have the youth and opportunity to go get a career now and im going for it. After all this wasnt my original dream to begin with. Im only doing this to make sure my son is secure while i go for what i really want to do. Thanks again

Cherry02 · Mar 13, 2012

I think it is pretty rare that someone would legitimately qualify for government benefits who didn't (desperately) need it. So if you qualify, go for it. Less than 20k/year would be very rough, if not impossible, to live on. Daycare alone will drain a large chunk of that. I doubt you will be anywhere near "comfortable" even with benefits, so I wouldn't worry too much about being above comfortable. Another option is to use student loans to help with living expenses, although I know that can be pretty scary. I think you need to get yourself out of wherever you are living. It sounds like a very toxic environment for you and your child, and I think that might make it even harder for you to reach your goals than being on your own. Anyway, good luck! You can definitely do this!

Aspirational Beauty, CNA, LPN · Mar 13, 2012

You should live at home as long as possible. Was on my own for four years and moved back when I was pregnant. I don't know how old you are but you should definitely qualify for everything including childcare. This is what I am doing now. I also work three days a week at a retail job, it can be done!

DizzyLizzyNurse · Mar 13, 2012

In this kind of situation I say take all the government assistance you can get. After all you are trying to make you and your baby's lives better. I used to work at a daycare that had a lot of kids who's day care was paid for by the government. Get as much financial aid for school. Apply for WIC and food stamps. Anything you can get and don't be ashamed. After all in a few years you will more than pay all that back with your taxes from your new job. You need to focus on school and your kid. Also I'd go for child support anyways. Even a little would help. Try to live at home or if that won't work out go to the school and look for ads for people looking for roommates. The college I went to had a requirement that students have health insurance. If you didn't have it you could get it through the school. I believe it was considered part of the tution. Good luck!!!!

pinkfluffybunny · Mar 13, 2012

Try looking for an lvn program. I make over 40k with overtime. If the program is shorter you will get out of your house sooner. I honestly can hear the desperation in your writing. You will get where you need to be. Things won't always feel like they do now.