Single Mom Money Tips – Save for Vacation for 24 Months

Single Mom Money Tips – Save for Vacation for 24 Months

by | Sep 24, 2011


Start saving for your vacation two years ahead of time. You won’t have to spare any expense and are guaranteed to have a stress free time.

When I went to Disney World with my daughter I was able to get some good deals and have a really good time. But while I was there I looked at the luxury hotels and wished I had saved a little more money to splurge.

The trip was virtually worry and stress-free though. I didn’t have to worry about driving because we flew. I didn’t have to worry about transportation because the bus picked us up from the airport and we had shuttle service to the parks.

I got multi-day passes so we could visit the parks as often as we wanted to. Food was no problem because my daughter ate free and I didn’t eat much anyway. In short it was a very good trip because I was able to pay for all the things I wanted.

But if I had saved for a year or two the trip would have been even better. So save up your pennies, make extra money by selling stuff you don’t need, do freelance work, and look for discounts. You can have the trip of a lifetime because you planned for it in advance.

Another tip is to pay for things over time. Buy the plane ticket months in advance when you have the money. Reserve the room and send the money when you have the right amount.

Simply take each element of the trip and pay as you go so by the time the day comes you will have very little to worry about financially except spending money.

Single Mom Money Tips – Worry Less, Love More

by | Sep 23, 2011


Worry less about money and more about loving your life and your kids.

When bills and needs loom above your head it is hard to forget about money problems. If the rent or mortgage is late or the car note is about to be two months late the problem is very real and overwhelming.

I have been there and the stress almost strangled me. After a while I had to ask myself the question, “What is the worst thing that can happen?” If the worst thing wasn’t losing my kids or my life then it would be okay.

This mental shift did wonders for my stress level. If my car was taken or I got kicked out of my home I would be okay just as long I had my kids and my health.

I am a firm believer in starting over. Nothing is so insurmountable that simply beginning again is impossible. Learning to love my life, the way it is, with all it’s obstacles, problems and past issues is way better than stressing and complaining about things I cannot change (at the moment).

My kids, your kids grow up only once and you deserve to be there (in body and mind) for the entire wild ride. They won’t remember the money problems but they will remember stargazing or eating ice cream on a hot summer day.

Child Care Co-ops 101

by | Sep 23, 2011

A child care co-op is an increasingly popular option for budget-conscious parents with a large circle of friends.

In a co-op, parents take turns watching each other’s children. One parent might watch another parent’s child on, for instance, Mondays or two half-days, while another might watch the first parent’s children on a weekend evening or perhaps on Thursdays. In some groups, parents take turns watching everyone else’s children as a group, while in others they watch one family’s children at a time. This keeps the cost of child care down and keeps kids in the hands of caregivers parents trust.

If you think you’d like to start a child care co-op, consider these factors:

  • Can your and the other parents agree on a philosophy and goals? Will there be a certain number of organized activities?
  • Is everyone in the group punctual and reliable?
  • What would your behavior policies be? How can parents discipline other people’s children?
  • What will the children be fed? What will their eating schedule be?
  • How will the group manage when one parent is away for vacation or an emergency?
  • How often will the parents meet to discuss the future of the group?

Once your group is started, make sure each parent is doing the same amount of work. When another parent is in charge of the kids, back off.

A co-op is an affordable and increasingly popular way to provide care for your child. If you’re interested in starting one, find a group of people you trust, and work to create stringent guidelines to which you can all adhere.

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Single Mom Money Tips – Check Your Credit Report

by | Sep 22, 2011


Get a free copy of your credit report each year. If you live in a state that gives a free credit report each year then get it. If you don’t go to freecreditreport.com and pick up yours.

Some banks offer credit reports but there may be a monthly monitoring fee after one month. Forget about that and just get the report if you are not trying to buy a house or car right now.

Monitoring your credit report can become obsessive after a while. A yearly review of your credit report is good enough for right now.

If you have a common first and last name you’ll want to be sure that there are no accounts that do not belong to you. The social security number is the key to your identity.

If you were married or had joint accounts before now check for accounts opened in your name but you didn’t authorize. You have the right to dispute any account or detail in your report that is inaccurate.

Get to know the Fair Credit Reporting Act. It can be a lifesaver.

Single Mom Money Tips – Document Your Financial Goals

by | Sep 21, 2011


Write down your financial goals (short and long term) and make a plan to reach them.

It has been tested time and time again; writing down your goals is the surest way of seeing them materialize. Writing down your financial goals is no different.

So what should your goals be? Make them specific that’s for sure and give a time-frame.

Your financial goals may include desired salary, savings account goal, paying off a debt, or side business income. You can keep your goal private or you can share it with the world.

One thing that is helpful with this goal as with other goals is to put the list in a place where you can see it daily, weekly, or monthly. You may even decide to just put the list away all together and look at it a year later. You will probably be pleasantly surprised.

Once you’ve made your goals begin to formulate a simple plan to work from. Break down your goal in small bites and jump in.

Just don’t get overwhelmed or frustrated if you don’t meet your deadline or things get behind schedule. A key point to remember is to have a time-frame not necessarily a specific date.