Advice for a single Mum

Im a single 40yo F with 2 teenage children living in South East QLD. I have always been good at saving and being frugal but maybe not very educated when it comes to long term investing. When I met my ex husband at 20 I had quite a bit of money saved up but circumstances of life, including his poor handling of money and my stupidity in not protecting my savings, led to me walking away from a 13yr relationship with 2 kids and about 30k to re-establish myself.

Most of my savings has gone to my kids education (highschool only). We live in a poorer area and the public schools are not good. Educating my kids and ensuring they are safe is very important to me. Sadly not important to my ex who reneged on our plan for private secondary education and actually brought in lawyers to fight it which took a huge chunk out of my savings.

Fast forward, I am paying around $10k year for school (including bus fees) and just getting by. We live in a small unit, I drive a car thats been paid off a while ago, we dont holiday, I buy second hand. You get the jist, im frugal but my kids dont miss out.

Where my anxiety and worries lie - school fees keep going up. Im not sure how much more I can cut back. Im willing to go through EdStart but I hate taking out loans.

All my friends my age are successfully enjoying life - holidays, new cars, house renos. I have considered moving elsewhere where maybe I can take advantage of good public schooling but my ex will take me back through lawyers if I amend our existing agreement (because it may mean our change over point and time each month will change and yes he is that petty). And I know what I wont be paying in school fees, I'll be paying in sky high rent to live anywhere north of Brisbane. Add to that, trying to find a job.

I work in government and earn an average wage. Ive looked at ways of making more money but its difficult when I have pretty much sole care of my kids and no support.

I guess this is more of a vent post. Im scared for my future, scared I'm making the wrong decision even though its in my kids best interests (is it? If I'm this miserable and anxious about money?), scared of rising costs and not being able to cope alone.