I apologise for a long post, I just have absolutely no one to turn to for advice besides my coworkers.

I’ve had some drastic life changes in the last 3-4 years. I ended a 6-year relationship, began dating someone else, moved out at 19 to live with them. They were constantly cheating so I had to end that relationship , now I’m nearly 22 and still living with that guy.

I’ve been paying majority of rent, all the household groceries, paying for all of his 2-yr-old’s food/nappies/wipes/etc, paying for both my cat and his cat (including nearly $5k in surgery bills just this year), cleaning and washing supplies, etc. I also “lend” money to my ex (that I live with) when he has no money because it keeps him from being angry and agitated. (“Lend”- I never see that money back).

I’m now linked with a service which help me with the process of moving out from here as my psychologist marked down he had concerns of emotional and financial abuse. I live 1 hour from my job, this service is helping me move to a home in the same suburb as my work.

I’m a (permanent) casual working 30-40 hours per week in liquor retail. I’ve decided when I make the move, I will get a second job (a night-shift one) to supplement my income to better support myself, at least for the first 6 months to set myself up as best as I can.

But I’m becoming nervous, I cope well on my own mentally because I get adequate social interaction at work. I can manage money well and care for myself to an acceptable level (my job has some crazy hours, there are occasional weeks where I won’t eat for a few days or I won’t even have time to shower for a couple of days at a time) but it’s nothing to the extent that disrupts my health.

I currently earn $650-$1000p/w, I’m looking at rentals up to around $300p/w. But I’ve never directly dealt with paying bills, so I have 0 grasp on utility costs. I spend no money on myself besides some groceries, petrol and $40 of cigarettes every week and a half (bad habit I know, I’m trying to quit). I don’t spend on nails or hair, I don’t buy clothes unless it’s for work (which I get reimbursed for anyway). I use next to no electricity in addition to the fridge and washing machine (I don’t even watch TV, only other use is charging my phone). I use very little water, only shower every second day (skin is too dry to wash everyday). Gas only occasionally if I have time to cook (maybe once every 2-3 weeks) and only use heating if I genuinely am in pain or severely uncomfortable from the cold.

Is it realistic on my income to support myself alone? I do have 1 debt, $800 to my vet clinic which is automatically taking $40 a fortnight, it’s insignificant enough that I don’t even realise when it’s taken out. I guess I just need some reassurance or guidance.

(One benefit- I’m currently being trained up into a management role, which will provide me with further proof of job security).

Any comments welcome, and again, I apologise for length of this, I suppose it was half a vent, half seeking advice. I don’t have anyone I can talk to about any of this.