KELLY'S RANCH MONEY PIT!

Sinkhole spread siphoning off her millions

STRUNG-OUT songbird Kelly Clarkson is using a $45 million nest egg to keep her Montana ranch afloat - but without her cash-spinning gig on "The Voice," the money pit may bleed her dry, sources squeal.

"She's up to her ears in costly repairs that need to be done. She's trying to run things from L.A. - talking to contractors and ranch hands and it's giving her one great headache," an insider spills.

"She's spending more than $80,000 a month to maintain the property. She wants to do the right thing and keep on the ranch staff and not lay off people. But it's hurting her bank account especially now that she won't have her cushy $14 million-a-season salary from 'The Voice' to lean on."