Teaching Gratitude

The holidays are coming. Seems like they sneak up faster and faster every year. When I was married the holidays seemed easier. I had someone else to get on the roof and string the Christmas lights, someone else to put up the tree, someone else to help. Now it’s just the two of us and it seems like a lot more work. The first year I was divorced was the hardest. I was struggling just to afford the necessities for my daughter, money for Christmas seemed impossible. I stressed myself out so badly trying to make everything the same for … Continue reading →

Creating a Nest Egg

One thing that I’ve always struggled with as a single mom is finances. With a growing child there is always some unexpected expense so usually I was juggling, as my grandmother used to say “Robbing Peter to pay Paul.” The unfortunate part was that I didn’t learn anything from this for a long time. We struggled so much that when I had a little extra money I felt like we deserved a treat. That was all well and good, until the next financial crisis occurred. What I learned over time is that saving money should be the first thing I … Continue reading →

Children And Money

When your teenager gets a job it’s a huge step for them towards being an adult. When Hailey was younger I didn’t really teach her about money management because we didn’t have any left over for her to manage. I tried to set a good example. As a single mother many times I lived hand to mouth but I let her know the importance of paying your bills first, taking care of anything that is a true need, saving some for a rainy day, and then, if there is anything left, getting something you want. When Hailey got her first … Continue reading →

We’re Broke! Why Do We Need a Financial Planner?! Part 1

After my divorce, the financial planner who had worked with my former husband and I continued to call me every six months or so, wondering if I was ready to put a new financial plan into place. I was flattered, if a little confused, about why he was bothering with me. I had primary physical custody of our infant daughter, I was receiving no financial support from her dad, and I was working for a notoriously underpaying local non-profit. Let’s face it, I was broke. The answer to the question, of course, is that it is an undisputed fact that … Continue reading →

Single Parent Travel: Planning a Vacation on a Budget

So you want to take a vacation with just you and your kid(s)? The first question you need to ask yourself is where you will go. Do you want to visit the beach? A major historical attraction? A city? Are in interested in going on a trip that is just for single parents? Will you be traveling near or far? If you’re like me, a major factor in deciding where you will vacation is dependent upon your budget. As single parents, we often do not have a lot of “extra” money for things like vacations to exotic locations. We are … Continue reading →

Starting Your Own Niche Site

Like myself, many single parents tend to work solely from home so we can take care of our kids, perhaps home school them, and try to fill as many roles as possible in our children’s lives. Though there are a hundred scams for every one legitimate WAH business, there are some solid ways to help make ends meet. Freelance writing is one, as well as Internet marketing. These days, most families have access to the internet, which gives you a virtual money-making machine right at your fingertips. All it takes is some time and perseverance, and a healthy dose of … Continue reading →

Government Assisted Home Loans

I purchased my home as a single mother with one income. No, I didn’t have a job that could pay a normal mortgage, nor did I have a down payment. But with the help of the federal government, I am the proud owner of a three-bedroom home and almost one-acre of land. I received a loan through the Rural Development Housing program. They provided me with a 100 percent 33-year loan (meaning I didn’t need a down payment). While the loan process took longer than a normal loan probably would have, it was well worth the wait. There were also … Continue reading →

Do You Miss That Extra Paycheck Since Splitting Up?

If you miss having a second income since your divorce or feel you may have permanently messed up your children with the breakup, read on and see why this was truly the best decision you could have made. The truth is that many single parents live on one paycheck, myself included, but it’s not easy to leave financial security behind and venture off on your own. As a life and relationship coach, I’ve helped thousands of women over the years to get out of unhealthy relationships, raise their confidence, and find more fulfilling lives and loves. When a woman is … Continue reading →

10 Free or Cheap Things to Do With Kids During the Spring

I was reading a blog post by Tricia Edgar this morning called “How Goes the Outdoor Challenge?” It got me to thinking about things my kids and I could do this spring. As a single mom, I don’t have a lot of money to budget for activities, but there are a lot of free and cheap things that can be done with kids. Here’s what I found: 1. Take a nature walk or hike. Stop along the way to talk about the things you see: leaves, rocks, birds, animal tracks, etc. 2. Go for a bike ride: Your bikes have … Continue reading →

Easy Ways for Single Parents to Make Extra Money

One of my biggest challenges being a single mom is dealing with finances, especially around birthdays and holidays. However, I have discovered some easy ways to make a little extra money when times are tight (well, tighter than normal, anyways). eBay and Craigslist Ebay and Craiglist are excellent places to sell your old, unwanted things online. I usually put smaller items on eBay and larger items on Craigslist. I can typically earn an extra $50-$100 selling mostly old clothes and toys on eBay. Craigslist has always been hit-or-miss for me. I once listed a treadmill for $75, and it was … Continue reading →