Thank you for stopping by after reading my article on FatWallet.com. To learn a little more about me as a personal finance blogger, personal success champion, and mom blogger is to know that I am passionate about becoming my best self. This includes discovering new ways to earn, manage, and save money. FatWallet.com was one of the first places I landed when I began my search for ways to save money and find ideas for making money online. It has been a valuable resource.

Don’t let my blog name fool you. I am not super rich (yet), but I am living the life I want with my kids. I am living authentically and loving it. I am sharing my thoughts in a way that feels right for me. I am unfettered by social constructs that say I have to be a down and out, depressed single mom. I am thriving and teaching my kids to do the same. That makes me a rich single momma.

Here are some of the blog posts that paint a picture of who I am and my journey to financial freedom:

• How My Journey to Financial Freedom Began
• Rich Single Momma’s Road to Self-Sufficiency and Financial Independence, Part 1
• Rich Single Momma’s Road to Self-Sufficiency and Financial Independence, Part 2
• How I Escaped Domestic Violence Through Financial Empowerment
• How I Dropped 3 Dress Sizes in 7 Months (My Weight Loss Story)

Check out the archives, the Side Hustle series, and the Budgeting series. Check out the Single Mom Survival and Success Kit at the top. It’s not just for single moms.

The rest of my posts are below for your reading pleasure. Thanks again for stopping by to see what RichSingleMomma.com is all about. I hope you come again!

I was looking for information about how single moms can budget their sometimes limited income. It’s easy to find information for two parent households but rarely for one parent households.

I found something that might be helpful for single moms (with one child) who make less than $25k a year. The following image shows the percentage that could be spent for three income amounts. They are broken up over about 10-15 categories.

If you make more or less you could still take the percentages and apply it to your situation. Amounts shown could increase because of Earned Income Credit, government assistance, child support, or food stamps.

From Crown Financial Ministries

My daughter just got her driving learner permit. She nagged, harassed, and begged me to take her to get it. She studied the book and even enrolled in the mandatory Georgia driver course online. So we went and she passed the test with flying colors. She can now learn to drive, but I’m still hesitant about teaching her.

The times are different now and it’s not like it was 20+ years ago when getting on the road as a teen wasn’t so expensive. Yep, I said expensive. I’ve been thinking about and researching how much it costs for teens to drive. The insurance alone is enough to make me want to stall until she is 18. Uggghhhh!!!

My friend Evan sent me some information about insurance rates for teen drivers and how to save. Here is what he says:

Saving Money When Insuring Teen Drivers

While most parents encourage their teens to learn to drive in order to ensure that they have the tools they need to function once they’re out in the world on their own, the truth is that parents face many drawbacks in the arena of teen driving. There are, of course, the myriad fears that accompany any new test of a child’s responsibility and judgment.

How Responsible is Your Teen?

Will your teens follow the rules of the road (and your restrictions) or give in to the peer pressure to perform by speeding and staying out past curfew? Or will friends in the car distract them to the point that they have an accident? Once your teens are behind the wheel and rolling out of the driveway, you simply have to trust that the lessons you instilled in them will be enough to keep them safe. But you also have to face the financial concerns that go along with this high-risk group, and the biggest expense could be insurance.

Ways to Cut Insurance Cost for Teen Drivers

Luckily, there are plenty of ways to cut your costs when it comes to insuring teen drivers. The easiest method of reducing your own out of pocket costs is to have your teens foot the bill for at least a portion of their driving experience, and this strategy benefits you in more than just the financial arena.

Give Teens Part of the Financial Responsibility for Driving

By making your teens fiscally responsible for some of the many costs that come with owning and operating a motor vehicle (aside from insurance there are loan payments, annual registration, maintenance, and gas, just to name a few), you are only enhancing the life lessons that come with driving a car. Sure, they get the freedom to go where they want when they want, but like everything in life, freedom isn’t free. Forcing them to take on some of the financial responsibilities of driving will make them aware of the associated costs so that they aren’t shocked when you eventually cut them off and force them to be adults. And the truth is, you’re actually doing them a favor; they’ll value the experience more if they have to earn it.

Negotiate with Your Insurance Provider to Keep Rates Lower

Of course, that doesn’t actually lower the cost of insurance outright. But there are plenty of options that will help you to do so. The first is to be a responsible consumer. Even if you’re keen to stay with your tried-and-true insurance provider, you should at least look into other companies and the policies they offer. At the very least it could give you some leverage to negotiate with your current carrier. And you should also find out about discounts that could potentially apply to you and your teen drivers, such as multi-car or multi-policy discounts.

Let Your Teen Drive Safer Vehicles

You can even save money by having your teens drive safer vehicles or adding safety features such as anti-theft devices (like LoJack) or even technology that forces your kids to drive safely (like Ford’s MyKey system that allows you to program specific keys so that the car can’t exceed a set speed limit). Your teens won’t be able to contribute much, but if they keep their grades up they can at least become eligible for the good student discount that many companies offer these days. It could make for a significant savings, so you should make it a condition of handing over the keys to the car.

Evan Fischer is a contributing writer for usedjaguarengines.com, where used Jaguar engines are shipped nationwide daily.

It’s a new year and probably time for a new or updated 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 Budget this Year

You might not think you need to create another budget. Reasons to consider creating a new budget is because you got a raise or you lost income because of a layoff. Regardless of the reason why it is a good idea to update 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.

My Budgeting on a Smaller Income

I got laid off from my “regular” job in July last year, so budgeting was pared down to rent payment, utilities, phone, and groceries. I had to keep it simple to stay sane.

This year could be different so I’ve compiled a list of 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.

7 Free Budget Worksheets

Free Home Budget Worksheet Download
This site has a list of printable budget worksheets you can download to Excel and use. If you don’t have Excel there are a couple more worksheets you can simply print out and use.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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!

My daughter attends a science and technology charter high school. I encouraged her to attend because she loves science and I wanted her to get important training in technology. I recognize we live in an age that will not be going away anytime soon…technology. I also recognize that technology is big business so she may as well get a piece of the pie and be set up for financial success.

The sooner she learns how to design and program for the web and other technologies the better. She will be ahead of the curve and will be able to command higher salaries in a traditional job and higher fees as a freelancer. She is currently learning web design which includes HTML, CSS, Fireworks, and Macromedia. Granted there are more advanced programs but she is getting a foundation that will take her further than if she were in a traditional high school.

Setting my kids up for financial success now is the first step in making sure they continue to live and thrive as RichSingleMomma.com’s kids!

The reality is, with traditional education too many kids will be left behind or stuck in a cycle of financial failure. Times are changing so education must change as well. As a parent, single or partnered, you can guide your child down a path of career and financial success. Where will your kids end up?

Here are a few tips to consider when thinking about your children’s education and future in our technological world.

Helpful tech training for your student may go beyond traditional classes

Discussing classic literature and solving equations are still essential components of high school curriculum, but is your child also learning HTML coding or basic computer programming? With more jobs requiring a basic understanding of technology – and an increasing number of jobs available in the field of information technology – it’s becoming more and more important for high school students to take advantage of tech training opportunities.

All computer-related fields are on track to grow faster than average projected job growth through 2018, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. For example, jobs in computer networking, systems and database administration are projected to grow by 30 percent. And jobs for computer systems analysts are projected to grow by 20 percent.

Training for tech-related jobs tends to vary by career choice, but one thing’s for sure: Whether students plan to attend college or pursue employment right out of high school, getting as much technology training as possible early on will only help their prospects.

But sometimes the necessary training may not be offered through a traditional high school curriculum, so it’s necessary for parents and students to do some homework when looking for training opportunities. “It may not always be obvious, but there are a few common places to look within your community that can help you get relevant IT training,” says Armando De La Torre, a 2011 graduate of Westwood College, which sponsors programs to send its teachers and students into urban high schools to provide computer networking training.

De La Torre, who currently works as a CSC engineer for ISC Corp., offers the following tips for high school students interested in furthering their technology training:

Innovative Programs Offered at High Schools

If your high school offers electives in computer networking or other technology training, take advantage of them. Some innovative programs may even offer college credit and computer program certification, which in some cases can lead to a job right out of high school. For example, Westwood College’s 2011-12 school year partnership with two high schools in the Denver Public Schools district and local nonprofit, KidsTek, provides students the opportunity to gain valuable technology skills and earn highly sought after IT certifications (A+, CCENT, CCNA) through the Cisco Academy Curriculum. Students who pass the courses can also earn college credit.

Opportunities with Local Businesses

Check with your high school, as well as local business associations such as the chamber of commerce, to see if there are any internships or other tech training opportunities being offered by local businesses.  Especially if you’ve already developed some relevant skills, a tech-related internship can be a great way to build your resume and get hands-on training on your way to a technology career.

Mentoring programs

Ask your teachers or a guidance counselor at your school if there are any professionals who have volunteered with the school to share their knowledge. You may be able to help someone work on a personal project they’ve been looking to tackle and receive training at the same time. Another place to inquire is with a local college, as professors and students there may be involved with mentorship programs that you can take advantage of to build your skills.

Tech-related Extracurricular Activities

Since technology comes easily to young minds, some of the best people you can learn from happen to be your peers. Talk with some of your classmates about starting an IT club (or join, if your school already has one) where you can work on projects outside of school. Many schools have also started activities like robotics programs, which can be a great way to learn while having fun with technology.

The world of technology is rapidly evolving, so learning what you can while you are in high school will help you greatly as you move on to the next phase of your life. For more information on current Westwood-sponsored tech programs for high school students, visit www.westwood.edu/community. (ARA)

Here is a timely freebie for you to download to your Kindle (or Kindle Software) to make Christmas brighter.

Here is the product description to give you an idea of what the ebook is all about:

This holiday collection is a treasury of Christmas traditions, stories, songs, and recipes that promises to bring readers young and old together to celebrate the spirit of the season. Everyone will enjoy this delightful guide to all things Christmas, featuring: the perennial classic Christmas stories, poems, and carols; recipes for family gatherings, parties, and holiday gifts from the kitchen; ideas for thoughtful and creative handmade gifts; decorating ideas for any room; and holiday customs and traditions from around the world. As a gift or a book to be treasured, this book will help readers create new traditions that can be shared year after year.

Download your Free Everything Family Christmas Book for Kindle Edition

My son is crazy about Phineas and Ferb. I don’t see anything special about it but he does (and so does my daughter sometimes) so I guess I’ll leave it at that. I’m sure my parents didn’t understand the obsession my siblings and I had with some of the cartoons we watched. I could digress and go into how much better the quality of cartoons were then as compared to now but I won’t.

We wonder why kids these days are so advanced. I think it’s because the cartoon characters are so advanced for their ages. I mean, they are kids scientist and detectives and have advanced vocabulary.

I asked my son what he likes about the show (check out the video). He said he likes the machines, the roller coasters, and how the build the stage for the Love Handles. I asked what the Love Handle is and he looked at me like I had grown two heads then matter-of-factly said, “It’s the band mom!”

How was I supposed to know they had a band!?!?! Sheesh!!!

So they have a band and I was clueless.

Well fortunately for him we are going to see Phineas and Ferb here in Atlanta this coming weekend.

The Details:
Phineas and Ferb Live
Show Date & Times: Saturday, December 17 – 4:00pm, 7:00pm
Sunday, December 18 – 12:30pm, 3:30pm, 6:30pm
Purchase Tickets: Philips Arena Box Office (800) 745-3000 www.ticketmaster.com

If your kid is like mine he will be thrilled to go see the show. So I’m giving way a family 4-pack to the show for Saturday night at 7:30.

Enter to Win!

Deadline December 14, 2011 at 8:00 pm
What to take your kids? Here’s how.

1. Grab your video camera and shot a video of you (and/or your kids) singing the theme song.
2. Post it to YouTube and label the video RichSingleMomma.com Win Phineas and Ferb Live Tickets (must be labeled properly to be eligible)
3. Put the link in the comment section below and tell us why you want to go. Be as creative as you want.

My kids and and I will choose the best video and the winner will be notified by email on December 15 in the afternoon.

Other Places Win Tickets:

Atlanta with Kid

Ashley’s Random Blog

Render Me Mama

Coupons are Great!

Typical Suburban Family

Macaroni Kid

Marvelous Mommy