The introduction

Are you all sitting comfortably? Then I shall begin... Here in the UK there are many people struggling to get by. It is a common link that we all tend to live within our means, but I have decided to start a blog as I struggle to survive every day with the rising cost of living. While I am aware there are people around the world in far worse situations as well as the homeless and the unemployed in the UK. I want to write about my experience who works for a living yet struggles to afford what I believe to be the basics in life such as food, warmth, light and water. I don't want to make this a depressing whinge about poor old me, but reflect on how a low earner can live independently and where the positives are. I live in a flat and very lucky to have a decent landlord. I have two jobs and work roughly 60 to 70 hours a week. The basic sum of the rent, maintenance to my ex, bills and monthly payment to cover the debts from my marriage (an IVA) is £35 more than I earn in my first job, hence the need for a second job. This blog in days or weeks to come will hopefully explain some more of these issues such as living without a car, heat, light and what to eat or how to enjoy oneself on a shoestring budget. I have a couple of quirks, which some might diagnose as a mental illness, but I think I am just a normal person battling with some very trying situations. I am currently single, early 40s, living in a flat, have 4 kids (who live with their mum), working and financial insolvent. I shall see where this blog goes, but aim to evaluate and test different issues from this life working yet feeling impoverish.