Back on our feet: Nicole and a toddler and a seven-year-old in Santa Rosa

After a sudden redundancy in July, I'm now raising a toddler and a seven-year-old on my own. I work as a school kitchen assistant, but my income doesn't cover rent, childcare and groceries. I'm retraining as a web developer in the evenings, which will triple my income by October, but I need to bridge the gap until then. Some weeks I skip meals so my children can eat. I have never asked anyone for help like this before, and I'm doing it for them. Once I finish my course, I'll pay it forward. Money goes toward rent, groceries, after-school care and the cost of my course. I'll give a monthly update with receipts. Where the $550 goes: • Rent top-up: $210 • Childcare and after-school care: $140 • Groceries and school meals: $80 • Course fees and exam costs: $120 Every share and every dollar helps. - Nicole