Sounds like you are doing all the right things too! At least you see this as a temporary situation and with your positive attitude I'm sure it will be. I am very lucky, in such a different position now to when I grew up. I don't want ( or need) anything and we are able to help our children and grandchildren out when needed. My dad taught me some very good life lessons, in some ways TOO good! My husband always moans that I am tight with money when I tell him our kids have to pay us back when we loan them money for things! But I feel if we just give it to them they won't truly appreciate it. Good luck in all your future endeavors!I will forever be grateful to the system in this country that means I could leave my awful marriage and still provide for my children and care for them. I’m a single parent, 4 children (eldest is now 20 and earns his own money, so only 3 dependants). I work as many hours as I can, and run a household and try and be a parent. What ‘benefits’ are doing for me and my family right now are making sure I can keep my children safe, clean and fed, and that I can work hours that mean I can parent as I would like (as in, it’s appreciated that working 40 hours a week right now for me is not viable with the ages of my children and their needs- as they grow, so too will my ability and availability for more hours and my earning power, therefore I can contribute back what I took when I needed to). I have friends who are career non-workers. There is something that always comes up and they can’t work. Their children are brought to believe that they are owed something. As a recovering addict, I spend every waking minute grateful for the life I have and the gifts I’ve been blessed with (as I sit in my dressing gown and woolly hat, with a warm cup of tea, in my small but warm, lit house, while my kids enjoy warm safe beds. I’ve got eggs on toast for supper because coop had 6 eggs for 30p yellow sticker! Yum!!). I would be very happy for you to publish a list of money saving ideas! Because your dear dad certainly knew what he was doing!![]()