Saving tips for single moms in the UK

Find community resources:

1.1 If you live in the UK, you can search for community services in your area on the official website gov.uk. The website provides a variety of search options based on location and keywords, and displays various community services, such as education, employment, and social support for each area. As of April 2021, the website has more than 100,000 community service information.

1.2 Place of welcome is a UK non-governmental organization that provides various services for families, such as providing material donations, language training, and mental counseling services. Their website provides a platform for communication between families in need and volunteers and sponsors. As of April 2021, Place of welcome has established 264 service sites in the UK.

1.3 Action for Children is a UK children’s charity that provides support services for single-parent families and other families in need. Their main services include providing temporary shelters, education and training, mental counseling, and child protection. As of April 2021, the organization has about 5,300 employees and volunteers in the UK and plans to provide support to more than 500,000 children and families in the future.

Claim benefits:

2.1 Child benefit is a subsidy provided by the UK government to help impoverished families with children under the age of 18. The amount of subsidy is calculated based on individual family income and the number of children. As of April 2021, the UK government has increased the standard weekly payment rate of child benefit to 21.15 pounds.

2.2 Housing benefit is a subsidy provided by the UK government to help low-income families pay rent or mortgage payments. The eligibility and amount of the subsidy are calculated based on individual age, income, and rental costs. According to UK government data, as of April 2021, about 4 million people benefit from housing benefits.

2.3 Income support is a subsidy provided to families who cannot afford their living expenses. The eligibility for the subsidy depends on factors like family size, income and housing type. As of April 2021, the UK government has increased the standard weekly payment rate of income support to 58 pounds.

Exchange babysitting services:

3.1 Babysitting services refer to services that take care of children for families. In the UK, the cost of babysitting services is high, but there are many ways to get discounts or reduce the cost of babysitting services. It is recommended that you inquire with the babysitting service near you and see if they offer discounts or reduced services for single mothers.

3.2 Babysitting exchange service is a way to take care of each other’s children by relying on communities and social networks, also known as “mutual aid babysitting”. In the UK, there are many online community platforms (such as Your Local Families Online) that can help you find other local single-parent families more easily and exchange babysitting services.

Save healthcare costs:

4.1 NHS is a public healthcare service in the UK that provides low-cost basic medical services for residents. Although basic medical insurance costs are low, accessing drugs and other services may generate additional costs. You can visit the local NHS website to learn how to use the system and how to save medical expenses.

4.2 Private medical insurance is a supplementary medical insurance that provides you with special medical services and benefits. In the UK, many companies provide private medical insurance, some of which offer plans tailored for single mothers and low-income families. However, the cost of private medical insurance is high, so be sure to consider your needs and budget carefully before purchasing.

Make a savings plan:

5.1 Financial advisors can provide you with advice and information on savings plans and account types. You can visit local bank websites or the offices of local financial advisors to learn about various asset management plans and choose the savings plan and account type that best suits you. For example, in the UK, common bank savings account types include cash ISAs, stocks, and stock ISAs.

5.2 Free or low-cost financial management courses and lectures can help you gain a deeper understanding of how to save and manage finances effectively. UK institutions such as Citizens Advice Bureau, moneyadviceservice.org.uk, and gov.uk provide rich financial management education resources. In addition, by joining money-saving groups (such as Real Savings Challenge), you can share and acquire money-saving experiences and skills with other families to improve your own savings ability.