THE STRUGGLING SINGLE MOTHER

PERSONAL assistant Latoya Anderson, 36, is single and lives in a rented two-bedroom flat with her 13-year-old twin sons. She earns £21,000 a year. Latoya says: YOU might think that being the lowest earner in a friendship group is an unenviable position to be in, but my friends understand I’m on a lower salary and that I have two children to support. It’s no secret I can’t afford the same lifestyle as the other girls, and I’m not ashamed of that.

That’s not to say that my income doesn’t, at times, make me feel less successful than them. I’m the oldest in the group, yet I earn the least by quite a long way. I don’t dwell on that and instead try to be as clever with my income as possible.

When the girls talk about the l atest holiday they’ve been on, or the kitchen they’ve had installed, it’s only natural I wish I’d had the same financial freedom, but I don’t begrudge them anything.

After I’ve paid my rent and bills, filled the fridge and put petrol in my 14-year-old car, my sons’ needs are paramount. I receive no financial support from their father, but I don’t want them to go without.

I’m good at making my money stretch. I shop for clothes in the sales and I use discount websites so I can have a meal out without breaking the bank.

If I can’t afford a night out or a holiday with the girls, I don’t feel excluded. I’d rather stay at home than get into debt. I’m not intimidated by the fact that Joanna and Vesna earn a lot more than me, and they never rub their wealth in my face.

I work with wealthy people, so being entertained in plush houses like theirs and drinking champagne when it’s their round is not new to me.

My friends have worked hard for their lifestyle. Yes, I envy them, but they also inspire me to achieve more in my career.

My goal is to become a financial adviser. One day, I might earn the most — and then the champagne will be on me.