Tomorrow is April 1st. For those of us who have put off doing our taxes, the next two weeks will be a race to the deadline. Now where exactly did I put all of those medical bills? Talk about increasing your stress! As a single parent there are many ways you can benefit when you do your taxes. Many divorced couples take turns claiming the kids each year, this can make it a little tougher when it’s not your year to claim them. However, when you can claim them you benefit not only from their deduction but also because you … Continue reading →

As a single parent is there ever a time when you are not stressed about money? If there is, I haven’t found it. I’ve been a single parent for almost as long as I was a married parent and there is always money stress. Through the years I discovered a couple things that helped. Make a budget, I know it’s no fun, but it helps to know what you have and where it goes. If you can’t depend on your child support, don’t include it in your budget, then when you do get it, it’s like a bonus and you … Continue reading →

Recently I was reminded again of how many tough decisions we have to make as single parents. A friend of mine posted on her Facebook about how guilty she was feeling because her daughter had to have a tooth pulled because she had to keep putting off getting it fixed. As she said, sometimes the decision was between feeding her daughter or going to the dentist. So why does she feel like a bad mom? This woman works hard and takes wonderful care of her children but because their father doesn’t help her there isn’t always money left after the … Continue reading →

Why is it that some people seem to think their financial responsibility to their children ends as soon as they sign the child support check? I always laugh at people, men and women, I’m not choosing sides, who say, I give him/her child support, what more do they want? Has anyone ever really thought about what it costs to raise a child alone? Just getting a two bedroom apartment instead of a one bedroom is at least $200 more a month, and that is just the beginning of the additional expenses. I know in my situation every time something came … Continue reading →

It’s that time of year again. Time to settle things with Uncle Sam. For some of us, this is our little savings account, we look forward to that refund every year and have plans for it long before we get it. If you are not good at saving, this may be a way to pay for bigger items for yourself and your children, maybe a vacation or new clothes, depending on what is needed. Since the government doesn’t pay interest on the money we lend them for the year you would be better off getting more money in your paycheck … Continue reading →

There isn’t one piece of furniture in my house, other than mattresses, that I bought new. It is all thrift store or yard sale finds or someone was kind enough to pass it down to me when they were through with it. I also love decorating and redecorating my home. This isn’t really part of the budget but if I find a great picture or a beautiful mirror and use paint and fabric to build a room around it, everything looks wonderful and I take care of the decorating bug. I know some people who will not shop in thrift … Continue reading →

I’m so ready for winter to be over. It seems like this year is determined to financially test me. Over and over again I’ve been reminded how important it is for a single parent to have an emergency fund. When there is an unexpected expense there isn’t another income to help cushion that financial blow and sometimes working more hours or getting a second job is just not realistic. That’s where your emergency fund comes in. I try to put a little money away every payday, even if it’s only ten dollars. It adds up, slowly, but it will add … Continue reading →

As a single mom sometimes I need to get creative with gift giving. My budget is always tight so I try to look for bargains all year long but most of the time I just have to try to give from the heart. Other adults are usually the hardest to buy for, they usually already have everything they need. Here are a few ideas for a budget friendly holiday. *Use your kid’s artwork instead of buying Christmas cards. Even if the artwork is not holiday themed you can still turn it into a card, write a personal message on the … Continue reading →

I love Christmas, I really do, but I can’t help but wonder how much longer it will be the holiday we all remember from childhood. Every year the stores bring out the decorations earlier and earlier. Christmas trees are up in the stores before the school supplies are even gone. Everything is advertised as that perfect gift for someone on your list. Have we forgotten what Christmas is about? All day long I hear people talking and read online about the shopping, shopping and more shopping. The amount of debt Americans take on every Christmas is staggering. I’m as guilty … Continue reading →

This time of year is always stressful financially. It is especially stressful when you are a single parent, you have to make that dollar you are stretching go even farther. Striving to be financially responsible is something you should do all year round. As a single parent it is doubly important that you do your best to manage your money. *Don’t keep secrets about money, talk to your kids. I remember when I was a child and my mother would tell me we couldn’t afford something and I would be resentful because I knew she had money. Because we never … Continue reading →