I think again on a broader scale we have to appreciate that the OP is a single parent working a pretty much full time job (while it not might be the intention, parental leave usually means you are full on performing for the 4 days and achieve a full time workload without any of the small respites that you can fit into a 5 day week). And that leaves little energy/time for doing some of the things that seem obvious - like meal prep and cleaning. So that means increase in costs for food and requirement to have help with cleaning. There is a trade off, they can work less to do those things and have less income. And run the risk of falling behind in career, losing out on % of pension contributions etc.
I applaud the OP for doing all that they do and for having the where with all to come on here and ask for advice (of which they have gotten plenty of and very high quality too).
So far the OP has been pretty reluctant to actually take any of our advise though.
What we got was:
- money is spent only on necessities
- no to stopping pension
- no to stopping coffee, and she's at home full time !
- no to stopping kids classes, the swimming alone is costing €2160 annually. For a 6 year old to swim.
- depressed on losing 'play money'
- looking forward to redundancy
- no to getting in a lodger, with some vague movie option
- no to working 5th day
- needs cleaner for sanity
- no to actually looking at gas bill
- no to cancelling holiday
And tells us she's frugal. She came on for advice. Many of us on here have given her super advice, initially I hadn't realised how much she was overspending. There are
loads of room for cuts, and room for extra income, but none have actually been taken seriously as far as I can see. which is pretty disappointing. And now we are to pussy foot around her on a money advice website.
Like Purple I'd literally feed the kids nutritious meals by actually being frugal, and cut out everything and within a year of hell she's be back on her feet. And like Purple, many of us when we had no money did not go out, wouldn't dream of a coffee out ever and did everything to pay off our debts.
Can you imagine her situation in one year if she took in a lodger, did the necessary cuts what a load would be off her, and she'd be well able to afford swimming lessons, holidays and a housekeeper.