Setting up a home as a single parent usually means looking for ways to cut costs. I know I had to rethink my budget and make some changes. Even though I was receiving child support, the spending had to change. The first thing I did was determine the type of spending habit I had. For me, I discovered I was a compulsive shopper, buying on whim. To help with this, I began to make specific lists before I headed to the store, which helped me stick to the actual things I needed to buy.
I also made changes in the types of things I bought. For instance, while it’s nice to have designer clothes, it is not necessary. I could fit my kids in great jeans and shirts from Wal-Mart just as easy as I could from the Jones Store or Macys. In fact, because the kids were growing so fast, I found it made much more sense. For them, as long as they looked nice, they really did not care.
Then, I started making my kids lunches. While the school lunch was not that much, making lunches was yet one more way that I could save. The same was true for dinners. Being single often meant working late hours, which meant picking fast food up for dinner or ordering pizza. Doing that a couple of times a week became expensive. Therefore, I started bringing work home so I could fix dinner, thus cutting back costs.
I began to take my kids with me more places than to hire a babysitter. For instance, I maintained my membership to the YMCA. Instead of spending money for someone to come into the home, I found that the YMCA offered a free daycare while I was enjoying the gym. This meant my kids had the chance to play and make new friends while I had some time for me.
Being single does not mean you cannot enjoy life, it simply means you enjoy it differently. Do not be afraid to cut coupons or eat at restaurants that offer discounts for children under a certain age. While this might be a different way of living for you, keep in mind that millions of other single moms do this too. The money saved also means less stress and a happier home.
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