How to Find Affordable Holiday Attractions

How to Find Affordable Holiday Attractions

Its the holiday season and guess what? Its time to start planning your spring break and summer vacation. This is the time to get affordable (meaning cheap) entertainment tickets and memberships.

During this time of year you can grab memberships and season passes pretty cheaply. How? (more…)

Rich Single Momma Retreating at Cohutta Springs

Rich Single Momma Retreating at Cohutta Springs

It’s that time of year again for Rich Single Momma to retreat at Cohutta Springs in the Georgia Mountains. The trip has a dual purpose. First is for rest and relaxation and the second is to bond with women in my book club.

Over the last three years my friends and I set out to prove that black people do read! We also proved that women, black women can be true friends, bond, and support each other. This kind of friendship is hard to come by so when you find it do whatever you can to cultivate it and make it stronger.

In a world with so much hurt, fear, and pain it is important to find people you can love, support, and have friendship with.

Getting Away with Women Who Read

This past weekend my book club escaped the busyness of life to a North GA mountain retreat just because. It was a fantastic time bonding with each other, affirming, and confirming that black women not only read but can actually enjoy each other’s company without any hidden agendas.

We went to Cohutta Springs retreat center in Crandall, GA. I’ve been to this retreat center many times but never stayed at one of the chalets. What a treat!

A Perfect Place to Retreat

Cohutta Springs Retreat Center Samantha A. Gregory

Chalet #3 is a beautiful 3-story get away with six bedrooms, 3 baths, a full kitchen and breathtaking views of the lake and mountains. It sleeps up to 16 people.

There were 11 ladies in all with nine of us staying for the weekend. We laughed, danced, ate, and talked throughout the entire weekend. Saturday morning we walked around the retreat area, took pictures, visited with the horses, and enjoyed the brisk, cold air.

I have to say that I have never been so relaxed after a vacation. It was no muss, no fuss, no schedules, but just pure relaxation.

Here are a few pictures to make you either jealous, or ready to book a retreat of your ladies group or family. 🙂

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Walking the long road to nowhere if we wanted to. The pastures contain horses that could either take us or leave us, LOL!

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A couple of horses grazing

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It’s cold in November in the mountains but we braved it to take a brisk walk

cohutta springs retreat center lake

The lake in the middle of the retreat center with the fall leaves in the backdrop. So beautiful!

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The big dinner table with food prepared with love!

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A quick selfie with our reading group behind me

7 Free Single Mom Budget Worksheets

7 Free Single Mom Budget Worksheets

It’s a new year and probably time for a new or updated single mom budget. What do you typically use to create a budget? Is it something you will use again and again? Maybe you are looking for a new tool or worksheet to jump start the process.

Reasons to Create a New Single Mom Budget this Year

Maybe you don’t think you need to create another budget. Here are two reasons you might want to consider creating a new budget:

  • You got a raise
  • You lost income because of a layoff.

Regardless of the reason, it is a good idea to update your budget so you know what will happen with your money this year.

I admit, I am pretty lazy with it comes to making a budget. I’ve used several tools and either didn’t follow my budget religiously or I completely forgot about it. When unexpected expenses come up the budget goes out the window.

Me Budgeting on a Smaller Income

When I got laid off from my “regular” job budgeting was pared down to rent payment, utilities, phone, and groceries. I had to keep it simple to stay sane. In the process of reducing expenses, I can find ways to make extra money like selling electronics, putting clothes in consignment, sell jewelry and especially sell my diamond engagement ring I’ll never wear again.

To jumpstart the budget creation process, I’ve compiled a list of single mom budget worksheets to help me and you work this thing out together. I can’t promise I’ll be good, but I’ll do my best.

1. Single Mom Budget Sanity Worksheet

UPDATE: Download the Automatic Printable Single Mom Budget Worksheet!

I have created a printable single mom budget worksheet of my own that you can download for free. Simply enter your after-tax monthly income and it automatically creates your budget for each category.

Click the image below to go to the download page for the MS Word file and follow the instructions on page 2 (See the demo video below).

singe mom budget worksheet

6 More Free Single Mom Budget Worksheets

2. Microsoft Office Budget Templates
I think most people with Microsoft Office have used their budget templates. Just download to Excel or even Word to complete and print.

3. The Household Planner Free Printable Budget   
This budget worksheet has the typical elements most budget worksheets have. You have your income and expense columns as well as your categories to work with. It is a PDF file you have to download and print.

4. Dave Ramsey Budget Tools
Dave Ramsey has three different budget worksheets to choose from. The first is a quickie budget worksheet. The next is a Cash Flow worksheets that is more comprehensive. The last is a budget worksheet for irregular income. I think these are great options.

5. Basic Budgeting Worksheet
BetterBudgeting.com has a free printable worksheet to help you create a budget. It’s pretty straightforward. Like the others, you simply download and fill in your income and expenses. They also have a monthly spending worksheet to help you keep track of your expenses.

6. Home Budget Worksheets from CCC
These website has a budget in your pocket worksheet. It is a mini-planner you can keep in your purse or pocket for quick reference. They also have a workbook and an Excel and PDF worksheet you can download.

7. Practical Money Skills Budgeting
This is one of my favorite websites to learn about money. They have a simple (and colorful) one page budget worksheet. This is great for the person that is making their first attempt at budgeting or just want to move to a simpler method.

These worksheet should get you started on your single mom budget for the year. Feel free to play with it to find the right balance. Also, think about any emergencies you think will come up and try to factor them in. It could be a flat tire, an emergency trip to see a family member, a medical expense, or anything.

Remember to Give to Get More Money

Remember to factor in giving as well. It could be your favorite charity, helping a friend, or donation to your place of worship. Regardless of how you choose to give, just get into the habit of giving. It’s one secret way the rich use to remain prosperous, plus it just feels good!

Happy budgeting!

 

[Video] My $800 Car Repair + Overcoming Financial Stress

[Video] My $800 Car Repair + Overcoming Financial Stress

My car repair bills added up to $800. I could have been stressed about money and worried about my car breaking down. But I’ve learned the power of prayer and other habits that help me overcome financial stress. I share my tips in this video with you to encourage you to breath and know it will be okay.

How are you handling financially stressful times? How do you want to be able to handle them?

What to talk about it privately? Schedule a free 30-minute strategy session to pick my brain and figure out how to overcome financial stress. Send an email to samantha @richsinglemomma.com

The Toys ‘R Us Holiday Book Landed at My House

The Toys ‘R Us Holiday Book Landed at My House

My kids are teens but were excited to see the new Toys ‘R Us Holiday Big Book when it got to my house. It feels kind of strange to see them all excited but I have to remember there are more than just toys for toddlers to tweens in there. (more…)