If he's beating you, does anyone else know about it?  Have you called the police, at any point?  Have you pressed charges?  I do not, under any circumstances, intend to sound insensitive or callous, but you have to do something to save yourself and your toddler.  More "love" is not going to change this man's abusive nature - EVER. 

Blue Rose provided an excellent resource.  CALL them, yesterday.  The longer you wait, the more abuse you will suffer.  The longer you wait, the more violent the abuse will become.  The longer you wait, the further away you will be (emotionally, at LEAST) from friends, family, and a network of support and safety.  The longer you wait, the closer you and/or your toddler will get to becoming another statistic of murder.

www.ndvh.org can also put you in touch with resources in your State, including attorneys, counseling/therapy, jobs, daycare, safe houses, food, clothing, shelter, etc.  As my ID suggests, I am a Survivor of domestic violence and abuse - I did not have the benefit of internet assistance (even to VENT) and got out under my own power.  Yes, I lost all of my "stuff," but I saved my own soul from permanent ruin.

As for the money issue - whether it's nickels, dimes, or pennies, begin socking a small amount of cash away, whenever you can.  DOCUMENT the incidents on paper, and not on a computer - note dates, times, exact quotes, and any other specific details without adding your emotional assessment.  This log should be copied, and distributed only to people who can be trusted:  counselor/therapist, attorney, friend that is not a friend of his, etc.

Next - call the police if he raises a hand against you.  Please, take this from someone who should have done this!  I also believed that the ex would be seen as a great guy and I thought (in my haze of abuse) that calling the  police was reserved for the uneducated, stereotypical battered woman.  I made a GRAVE mistake by failing to call the police.  When the police arrive, do not hesitate to press charges and follow through with them.  "I promise I'll change," and "I'll never do it again," are not true statements because an abuser CAN NOT - will not - won't - can't - stop abusing without experiencing a drastic personal epiphany.  Also, beware of an abuser who begins talking about "finding God."  If they have, that's grand - but, the likelihood is that they are parroting something that they believe will keep them close to their victim(s) and are nowhere near the Hand of God.  The police reports will be important during the divorce process.

To exit, you will need the assistance of a local/regional organization that deals with domestic violence.  Again, the resource provided by Blue Rose or www.ndvh.org will have put you in touch with the appropriate people.  Do not threaten to leave - EVER.  Do not tell anyone, under any circumstances, that you intend to leave.  The exit is the most crucial and dangerous time for a Survivor of domestic violence/abuse.  Be prepared to leave, at once, and have all personal documents ready (Soc Sec info, birth certificates, marriage certificates, etc.). 

I wish that I had known all of this before I left the ex.  I never would have done it the way that I did.  I would have played Hard Ball in Court, filed complaints and followed through with them, ignored any attempts at communication, and gotten myself out in a safe manner with an upper hand to protect my children, in Court.

May you find your way onto your healing path.  Good luck.