[allme]

Originally Posted by hotchicken

I have not been working 40 hours a week until recently. I have 2 teens and that is where all my money goes! I also don't make much more than minimum. I was living on about 1200 a month for years until recently.

Now I am up to about 1800 a month. I spend at least $500 on food if not more, about $400 on their activities that they are in, gas, then car insurance, phone bill. I have no new clothes or anything. When I do get my own place I will have no money to even buy furniture.

I am in the UK so don't know, but have you looked to see if their are any organisations that could help you with furniture and stuff like that? I understand it's important for your kids to participate in activities but considering the amount you earn, you pay out a lot for them! Could you maybe look at cutting them down?

[recentdiscovery]

Originally Posted by allme

I understand it's important for your kids to participate in activities but considering the amount you earn, you pay out a lot for them! Could you maybe look at cutting them down?

Agreed, I understand you want to be a good parent to your kids and putting them in programs probably makes them happy, but you can't be the best parent to you kids living in an environment like that. I'd say when the program is over or comes to an end don't sign them up for another one until you guys can get out on your own. It sounds like most of your problems stem from being in that toxic household and you need to do everything in your power to leave that situation far behind. You can do it I believe in you

[hotchicken]

I have figured out that even If I paid nothing for kids activities, I still don't make enough to move out. I mean I could live in really bad area but kids tell me they refuse to live in an apartment. They go to private schools that parents pay for. I of course pay for the activities they do, since parents do not agree with what they participate in.

[Skunky]

Perhaps the kids can stay where they are while you get your space. It's clear you need to take care of yourself, and you can do this while still supporting them to some degree.

You're stuck in an unhealthy mindset. Yes, it sounds like an awful situation, but your reaction to your situation says a lot...you're past your limit for coping on your own power.

[A Red Panda]

Seeing as your children are teens and you've gone on about how much you hate them and they hate you... why not let them get a job themselves and pay for their own activities. There's teens, there is nothing wrong with expecting them to pay for their leisure activities. If you can't provide the basics then you shouldn't pay for luxuries - and you can't pay for accommodations.

You can also find somewhere with a roommate. Or yes, live in a "bad area". How is that bad area going to be worse than living in a home that you hate living in? You would have privacy and you would be away from all the hate that you use your energy on. It sounds like a win to me.