Ah, the life of the single parent – while being a single parent does not mean it is the end of the world; you should be realistic about the changes. This way, you can handle the differences that lie ahead for you and your children. In many instances, becoming a single parent is a good thing. While I do not advocate divorce, in cases of infidelity and abuse, being single can provide a newfound life of freedom, peace, and self-confidence.
One of the major complaints heard from single parents has to do with
finances. Depending on the situation, sometimes the money situation does not change much but in other cases, a person going through a divorce or death of a spouse will find their world turned upside down. For instance, it might be where you never worked outside the home before but now, you are forced to enter the world of work, which is frightening. Perhaps your spouse died and without life insurance, you now find that you are overwhelmed with bills and have no idea where to turn.
The good news is that in most cases, some type of financial assistance is available. For example, if you are now faced with mounds of bills, you should contact your local consumer credit counseling service. There, you will have a group of trained and dedicated professionals that work directly with your creditors in lowering monthly bills, as well as securing lower interest rates. This way, creditor calls are stopped and you can soon get your feet back firmly on the ground.
Of course, your state and city governments also have a number of programs that can assist financially. Let us say you needed some help with school lunches for your children. Through the right program, lunches would be offered at a significant discounted rate. If you need new housing, then you can check with HUD (Housing for Urban Development), which has a number of excellent programs specifically for single parents just like you.
For assistance with food, one of the best organizations is called Angle Food Ministries, which can be found online at www.anglefoodministries.com. This non-profit organization will provide you with approximately $75 worth of food monthly for $25. If you want, you can also add on bonus packages for just $18. Typically, the menus include chicken, beef, eggs, boxed and fresh potatoes, vegetables, and dessert items. The food is top quality and donated by other people who understand that we all have challenges.
Instead of dealing with financial complications of single parenting, you need to stand up for your rights. This is not the time to be too proud in not accepting aid, whether in the form of a clothes closet or food stamps. Additionally, remember that laws pertaining to alimony and child support are becoming tougher so if you are not receiving what is due you, contact your local court clerk to ask for assistance.
Financial Pitfalls: Failure to Establish Financial Independence