I’m a Single Mum with 5 Kids Renting in Sydney. This is How I Do It

Sara is a mum of five, foster carer and rents her family home in Sydney, an expensive global city stretched by housing pressure and rising costs.

Sara doesn’t pretend living in Sydney is easy, but is quick to say she is not actually doing it alone.

“How do I do it? Not by myself,” Sara told Money: Faith and Finance.

“Without faith I would not be able to do this.

“Whenever I’m in ‘freaking out mode’, I just go to God and I’m like, ‘These are your kids… help.’

‘I’m your kid. Help me.’

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“And he does always come through.”

Sara also credits “lots of community, being resourceful and creative” as key to surviving as a single mother in Sydney.

Creativity for Sara often begins with simply asking for help, something she admits initially took courage.

“From the first go, you are a little bit shy because you don’t know how this world actually works,” Sara said.

“But once you get a grasp on it, you know that you can go to these places and grab what’s available.

“[Don’t] shy away from going to the places that give you help.

“Lots of churches have pantries or hampers.

“Those are free places that you can get stuff such as fresh fruit and vegetables.”

Budgeting lessons learned the hard way

Hope Mornings Ben McEachen and accountant Pete Burrows on Money: Faith and Finance were struck by Sara’s willingness to help others by sharing her own situation.

Yes, Sara is keen to be there for others, even as she shared how stark her own financial reality is.

“I earn probably 38,000, give or take,” Sara said.

“To get a rental on that is impossible,” she added, sharing she only secured her home by co-signing with her mum.

Sara didn’t grow up financially minded or learn budgeting skills during her marriage. But necessity became a teacher; budgeting was “thrust upon” Sara.

“It also allowed me to take more ownership of what was coming in.”

One key shift came through support from Hope Economy, previously known as Christians Against Poverty.

“I had an excellent experience that changed everything,” Sara said about the skills and assistance provided by her money mentor, who came to her home.

“I got to see that each dollar actually has a value and to be purposeful for where that dollar goes.”

“If you’re in the kitchen making a cake, each ingredient has a purpose.

“The same goes for each dollar; what is your vision for that particular dollar? Then, send it on its way.”

Sara’s practical approach is clear, grounded and might help your budgeting:

Even small habits matter when it comes to being creative around household finances.

“Walking down the street, I find a few cans, take them to Return and Earn and that goes immediately into that emergency fund,” Sara said.

“I love a good council clean-up,” Sara said.

“I can’t remember the last time I actually bought furniture.

“It’s such a treasure hunt.”

Faith that holds everything together

For Sara, budgeting isn’t just practical – it’s spiritual.

Sara’s faith is her anchor, even in moments when the numbers don’t seem to add up.

“Without faith I would not be able to do this,” she said plainly.

Even her budgeting reflects that dependence.

“I can’t sit down and do my budget without God showing me where this needs to go.”

“Even though I lost a husband, I actually gained a really faithful ‘dad’ who’s constantly showing me how to budget.”

And for anyone walking a similar road – overwhelmed, stretched, unsure – Sara offers something simple yet deeply grounded. For any and all of life’s situations.

“The truth is that God’s with us always,” Sara said.

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