I'm struggling...

Nannytone

As your mum is rebeiving UC, you need to be really careful.  You are paying her to vare for your son, rather than just covering his expenses.This money should be declared as potentially, your mum is commiting benefit fraud

shell16

Mellee79 said:

I have THE laziest teen. She is infuriating and the best she can do is a tin of ravioli if it doesn't require a tin opener. 
My son is a bit harder to cater for as he is very sensory, unable to cope with certain foods and he only has his baby teeth still (which are just little stumps) so he plumps for soft food.
I REALLY dont want to live with my mum. We both value our own space and actually her moving in with me would not be feasible as I have a 3 bed house so no spare room for her.

Thank you all for your suggestions. I will certainly be scrutinizing my spending and statements, looking for better deals and trying to reduce costs. It's so hard to see the wood for the trees when you feel so low. My mum has been told she was not receiving the carer element to her UC so that has been sorted and she has reduced the £400 to £300.
I will be back to update once I've had a bit of time to get my head on straight. Harder with the kids off school.
We are staying in. Outside costs like £200 a day...

Evening.  I just wanted to check in on you and hope you are OK? I know you are struggling and noticed you haven't posted anything for a while. 
How are you getting on with the scrutinising of spending? Have you found any areas you can save?
Shell x

LMG1305

Sorry if this has been suggested already, but would it work for you all if your Mum moved in with you?