How to Know if Daycare is the Right Choice for Your Child

How to Know if Daycare is the Right Choice for Your Child

by | Aug 3, 2020

As a parent, one of the most important decisions you can make for your child is which daycare, if any, to send them to.

Selecting the right facility is so crucial for the safety and growth of young kids. But how do you know which one is right for your child and in line with the values of your family? Should the current climate of the globe have an impact on whether or not you choose daycare at all? Check out these things to consider when deciding on a daycare for your child.

Is it important to you that they have continuous care and socialization?

A huge benefit of sending your child to daycare is knowing that they’ll have constant support, and they’ll begin socializing with other kids at a young age. These early years of growth are pivotal in child development, so it’s a good idea to get them around other little ones from a young age.

What does the daycare feel like when you walk in?


This is simple and straightforward, and it has a lot to do with your initial instinct or gut reaction to the facility. While it may not be brand new, consider whether or not it’s clean, well maintained, and up to date. Is the atmosphere happy and positive, or does it feel dirty and dingy? Does the space have fun decorations, new and well-organized toys, and comfortable flooring? Getting a general feel for the daycare before making your decisions is incredibly important.

Spend time researching the safety of the area.


Not only is it important that the daycare is in a safe part of time, but the facility itself should be secure. Leaving your children in the care of other people—strangers in many cases—is difficult to do, particularly when your kids are so little. Knowing that they’re in good hands is crucial.

Consider the cost.

Daycares do cost much less than a private nanny, but it can still be pricey. If you are able to stay home during the day or you have a relative you can reach out to for support, you may want to consider your financial situation. Will it be worth it for you to dish out the cost of daycare if you do have other options?

Understand the possibility of exposure to illness.


It’s clear that being around a lot of kids on a regular basis can lead to your little one getting sick more often. However, early exposure to germs can actually strengthen your child’s immune system so much that they’ll have fewer colds and infections further down the road.
With that being said, during the current pandemic, it’s important to first reach out to your pediatrician before making any final decisions. They will know what’s happening on a local level, which can pertain directly to you and your young child. Make sure you’re comfortable with the precautions your daycare is taking. Know that if something does happen—whether sickness or injury—it’s important to reach out for help as soon as possible.

10 Tips to Reduce Single Mom Stress Right Now

10 Tips to Reduce Single Mom Stress Right Now

by | Jul 14, 2020

Guest Post by Dr. Alok Trivedi

Make time for yourself:

Being a parent isn’t easy and is filled with stressful moments. No matter how busy you are between work and family, always make time for yourself. Even just 15 to 20 minutes a day to get quiet and relax can do wonders for your stress level, mental and physical health. Not only will you feel better, you’ll also be better at the things you take on and more aligned in your relationships.

Focus on overall wellness:

The importance of exercise, eating right and taking care of yourself can’t be said enough, especially for parents who lead busy lives. All of these things have a direct impact on your stress. If you eat right, get plenty of physical activity and just take better care of yourself, your mind and body will thank you. Best of all, you can instill these important values in your kids as they grow up.

Don’t let things fester:

When problems arise, and they will, take them on quickly and effectively. The problem when we procrastinate and put things off is small issues turn into big issues and this drives our stress levels off the charts. Even if you don’t feel like dealing with something, it’s always better to face it and get it over with rather than keep putting it off and allowing it to bother you and raise your stress. For parents, that might mean planning out specific tasks that have to get done each day. Monday might be laundry day. Tuesday could be food prep day. Wednesday cleaning day. And so on.

Focus on proper breathing:

The problem with incorrect breathing is it can make you feel even more stressed and worried than you already are. Improper breathing raises CO2 in the body while reducing oxygen consumption which makes us tired, dizzy and anxious. The correct way to breathe is slowly in through the stomach area, hold for a few seconds, and then slowly exhale through the lips. It might take some practice to get used to, but this is definitely something that will significantly reduce your stress.

Get out of the house:

Right now, many parents are feeling stressed out and overwhelmed during the COVID pandemic because they can’t leave the house. It’s still important to get out each and every day. You can go for a walk, drive around with no destination in mind while you crank up the tunes, visit a friend or family member while practicing social distancing. A change of environment is important to reduce stress.

Get the kids involved:

Many parents are stressed out right now with kids home for summer with nothing to do. Keep your kids busy with educational activities like reading, give them an allowance for taking on chores around the house, and make sure they have enough time play time each day outdoors. Happy and healthy kids will make your life much easier and reduce your levels of stress.

Have something to look forward to:

Having something in the future to move toward and look forward to is important to all of us, especially parents who find themselves stressed. Maybe it’s a vacation or road trip six months from now. You can even have something small to look forward to each day like a television show or family dinner. This puts us in a better frame of mind, reduces stress and keeps the “feel-good” chemicals pumping in the brain.

Get involved in activities that are inspiring to you:

It doesn’t matter what it is, just get involved in any activity that inspires you. When you are feeling inspired and into what you are doing, it’s hard to feel stress. Not only that, but when you are doing something you truly enjoy, your mind is occupied and won’t have time to entertain worry, anxiety and stress.

Focus on the outcomes, not the struggles:

In almost everything we set out to accomplish, there is stress along the way. This is true even of positive forces in our lives. Instead of becoming stressed by the struggles, stay focused on the outcome. For instance, it’s easy to get flustered when trying to explain a math assignment to your kids. But remember how great it feels when it finally clicks for them and the sense of achievement it gives both you and them.

Recognize when you need help:

Every parent deals with a certain amount of stress and that is perfectly normal. But sometimes our stress becomes something bigger indicative of an anxiety disorder or something else. When you’ve tried to face things on your own and you aren’t feeling better, it’s time to get professional help. Parents with an insurmountable of stress are doing themselves and their families a favor by getting help.

Managing Your Finances During Pregnancy: 9 Pointers 

Managing Your Finances During Pregnancy: 9 Pointers 

by | May 19, 2020

If you have a baby on the way, congratulations! That’s wonderful news. At the same time, you may have a few concerns about your budget. After all, you’re now responsible for supporting at least one new life.

Few would argue that giving birth is inexpensive. However, you can get your budget under control by simultaneously cutting back in some areas while boosting your income. Here’s how.

Tips for Saving Money

Ah, the lure of those adorable baby outfits and that to-die-for nursery gear. You might feel tempted to break out the credit card, but before you do, remember! Most baby items see limited use.

Do you genuinely need a designer outfit your kiddo will wear once, spit up all over, then outgrow?

1. Shop in Your Closet

Chances are, you have a few items that you can wear even in your third trimester, like maxi dresses. Plus, if you find yourself now working from home, you don’t need as extensive of a maternity wardrobe.

Sure, you can find $100 maternity jeans, but do you need them if you only run out to the grocery?

2. Use Hand-Me-Downs

Your baby will throw up all over their shirts, and that’s not all. Why let them defile a $40 set of duds? Plus, they outgrow clothing faster than you can buy them.

If you have a family member or friend with a few hand-me-downs to spare, take advantage.

3. Refinance

Depending on your circumstances, now may be the ideal time to refinance your mortgage. If you wait until you go on maternity leave to apply, your income will likely decrease.

Additionally, your lender might have questions about your future ability to make payments. If you have a partner who also works, you will probably have a more streamlined time winning approval.

4. Click Unsubscribe

Like it or not, you live in a subscription economy, and many people have recurring charges for items they no longer use. One fellow found he paid $40 a month for in-flight WiFi for eight months while he was safely grounded. That amount would pay a monthly utility bill in some areas.

Download an app like Truebill and enter your information. Do you need a subscription to the Tai Chi Move-of-the-Month club any longer, or can you go without to save money?

5. “Upcycle” Your Produce

Things could be worse — the current pandemic could have struck in the dead of winter. Now, however, you don’t have long to wait until planting time. If you live in the south, you could enjoy peak season already.

Learn how to save the seeds from your produce and start seedlings indoors. When they grow large enough, replant them in your garden. This way, your family will always enjoy a supply of fresh vegetables, even when the grocery budget gets tight.

Tips for Increasing Your Income

In addition to cutting your budget, you can increase your income, even during tumultuous times. Here are some ideas.

1. Become a Virtual Assistant

Scores of companies need virtual assistants for handing everything from customer calls to emails. You might manage social media posts or help with bookkeeping tasks.

Sites such as Fiverr allow you to offer your services for sale to the highest bidders.

2. Sell Crafts on Etsy

Are you a crafty mama-to-be? If you have knitted more adorable baby booties than your child could wear by the time they turn 21, why not sell the excess on Etsy?

You can set the price for your wares, and once you establish yourself as a seller, you can do well. You can also search your home for any high-value items like electronics you don’t need or use, and see if you could possibly pawn them for a little extra cash.

3. Teach or Tutor Online

In case you missed it, many schools have shuttered for the rest of the year, and the demand for online teachers is high. If you have a certificate, you can work for a virtual school.

However, even if you lack a credential, you can tutor if you have a bachelor’s degree.

4. Start a YouTube Channel

Do you have a skill you can share? One grandmother recently gained significant stardom when she started a YouTube cooking channel to pass down her recipes.

If you can do yoga, knit like a fiend or make a tutorial on how to build a better birdhouse, you could earn residual income through advertising revenue.

Get Your Budget Under Control Before Baby Arrives

Once your baby arrives, you will have plenty to occupy your mind. In the meantime, get your budget in order so that you feel secure in your family’s finances.

4 No-Brainer Ways to Save Money (Even on a Lower Income)

4 No-Brainer Ways to Save Money (Even on a Lower Income)

by | Mar 18, 2020

I got a question recently asking how can I save money when I don’t make much money? Today I want to share with you 4 No-Brainer Ways to Save Money (Even if You Have a Low Income).  It is important to save money for emergencies and to build wealth. We hear this all the time. The recommended amount to save is about $1,000 into your savings account for emergency funds for just things that come up that we have no control over. And I completely agree. There are plenty of books from Amazon you can read about the topic. I’m not always great at it, but I agree. And so I found some ways that are pretty easy for me to save money and I’m going to share them with you. 

Throughout this post there are a few affiliate links involved. This helps support RichSingleMomma.com and I really appreciate your support and so I hope that you will click the link and actually use the tools that I’ll be sharing with you.

 

Digit Automatic Savings App

 

 The first way is the Digit App. Now I love this app! This app helps you to save by withdrawing money from your account not a whole lot, because you could tell it how much to actually withdraw from your account. And it does it automatically for you daily. It could be small amounts of money. I currently have mine set to $5 a day. So that $5 a day will give me a pretty nice chunk at the end of the month. And the great thing about the app is you can set a goal and I think it’s really important to create a goal for your savings so you actually know where it’s going. 

Emergency Fund is such a blanket statement but let’s say you want to have an emergency fund but you really want to go on vacation, you really want to buy a car, or you really want to put money in a down payment for a house. You can do this with a Digit and then you could tell it how much to actually withdraw from your account. So even if you’re not making a lot of money, you can still have $1 a day taken out, right?  Everybody can do $1 a day, especially given the fact that we often eat out or get coffee, you get donuts or buy those little things from the $1 store. Just imagine if you put the money that you get by used to buy from the dollar store into your digital account, you’d be saving money.

So or you could challenge yourself and say, for every dollar I spend, I’ll save $1. Now, it may be limited to the Dollar Tree, or limited to a low cost thing. store that you actually use not maybe on groceries or rent or anything like that. Because again, this is money that we’re trying to save even if we’re not making an extremely large amount of money. So try the digit app. It is free in the app store and it’s in the Android Google Play Store. 

 

Automatic Savings Transfer

4 ways to save money on low income

The next thing I want to share is the Automatic Transfer Savings method. So what is an automatic transfer? If you tell your bank to automatically transfer money from your checking to your savings every month, it’ll do it for you. You don’t even have to think about it, you just set it up. You can even create it as an automatic bill pay.

If you have a separate bank account, which I always recommend, I say never keep all your eggs in one basket. I’m kind of like a multi bank account junkie. I have bank accounts in several places. And that’s because I don’t like keeping all my eggs in one basket.  Go ahead and set up an automatic transfer to a separate savings account so that every payday or every month or however you want it to be you can have that money placed into your savings account.

If you open up a separate savings account, you can do that online. And there are several banks, and I’ll have them listed in the show notes, where you can actually open up a separate savings account that’s online. I use Capital One which is one bank you can use online. There’s Ally Bank, there’s several other ones as well. So choose a bank and then schedule a transfer of a certain amount from each paycheck to that account. So you don’t even have to think about it as just an automatic payment to yourself. Okay, so that’s how we want to think about savings, you’re actually paying yourself. 

 

Acorns Investment Savings Account

Next is Acorns which is kind of different, because it is not putting money into a savings account, but it’s actually putting money into an investment account. And the investment account is really for making money out of the money that you’ve placed in there.  So what Acorns does is round up your purchases and put it into the investment account. Now the investment account is set up in Acorns.

You have to download the app or go on the website, you have to decide your investments. So you can invest in a lot of different companies. And that’s basically what investing is, is investing in stocks in a certain company. So you actually own a part of that company. And when they make money, you make money. Simple of course, it feels complicated, especially if you listen to all the other financial gurus on MSNBC or CNBC or wherever. But it is a simple idea.  I would like for you to start investing now even if it’s just $1 a month, $5 a month, that investment will grow.

Do you want your money to grow? And that contributes to savings for you. So if Acorn again, when you go to the store, and let’s say your amount is $25.67 cents, well, the Acorn rounded up that change that was not spent 220 $7 to make $27, it’ll round that up and put that change into the investment account for you. Oh, that makes sense for you, but that’s what happens. So that’s a pretty good way to actually start investing on a small scale. And it makes a big difference in the long run, because that money can be used later on for your child’s college. If they decide to go to college, it could be used for down payment on a car. It could be used for several different things. 

 

Self Lender Credit Building Savings Account

The final thing I want to share with you is Self Lender. This is a different type of savings as well. It is not like the Acorns app but, it is a type of savings account that automatically withdraws $25 or more into a separate CD. A CD is a Certificate of Deposit for a bank. The money is saved into the account for you. The great thing about it is you get that money back in 24 to 48 months depending on the amount that you’ve allotted to be withdrawn from your account each month.  You’re actually saving for one or two years. So if you have if you’re putting in $25 a month, you get that money back in two years. Just think about the amount of money that has accumulated for you. You could get a lump sum check, which can then go into your own savings within your bank account because you got into the habit of saving money.  Let’s say you have a goal to put a down payment on a car or you want to move into a better home, you have that money ready for you. Even if you want a Christmas savings account, this would be a great option because of the savings you put into the Self Lender account you could have enough money for an amazing Christmas savings account. The perk of this is each payment is reported to the credit bureaus, which raises your credit score. This is so you have a two-fold purpose. First of all, you’re saving money. 

Second of all it is being reported to the credit bureau so your credit score goes up. You’re in a win-win situation so I don’t want to hear the excuse that you don’t have enough money to save. Actually you do because I just gave you four tools that you can use to save money for the thing that you need in your life. It’s possible to save with discipline, consistency, and developing an out of sight out of mind attitude about savings. I think an automatic savings program is the best way to go.  If you ever have heard of David Bach, he has this book called, The Automatic Millionaire. He pretty much goes through some similar ideas about how to save automatically so that you can begin to fund your retirement. You can fund anything in your life, if you just set it and forget it. I hope these ways to save have helped you. They are no-brainer ways to save money even if you have a low income. And for those of you who have a moderate to high income is even better, you can save even more. 

Send in your questions to the Single Mom Answers program. I love answering questions. It’s like one of my favorite things to do. And I will answer your questions and I hope that you will continue to listen to us, subscribe to the podcast channel, and that you will keep those questions coming. 

 

Online Banks:

Auto Savings Apps:

3 Vital Money Lessons to Teach Your Kids

3 Vital Money Lessons to Teach Your Kids

by | Jan 30, 2020

Single mothers have to learn a variety of important lessons in order to achieve financial freedom, and you can make life easier on your children by helping them develop good habits from a young age. Kids who are introduced to personal finance early generally find it easier to manage their own money later in life.

This article will cover some of the most critical financial lessons you can teach your child. Make an effort to have regular conversations about money so that they understand the impact a healthy financial mindset will have on their life.

Credit Card Debt Is Bad

Consumer debt has been essentially normalized in the United States, and many people don’t see a problem with credit cards, student loans, or other forms of credit. While going into debt is sometimes the best choice, it’s important for people of all ages to understand the risks involved.

Credit cards, for example, typically come with interest rates of up to or even over 20 percent. Paying back a large credit card debt can be extremely difficult since the balance will continue to accumulate interest over time. It’s generally much better to avoid debt in the first place than to try to pay it back later.

Tip: Start an Emergency Fund

We often feel like debts are unavoidable in unpredictable circumstances, but you can prepare for these situations by contributing to an emergency fund. Your child should understand the importance of consistently saving money and having some cash to fall back on in a worst-case scenario.

Without an emergency fund, people can be forced into debt to pay for unexpected costs. While you can help your child by starting a savings account for them, it’s much more important for them to develop the habit of saving on their own and taking a more proactive approach to personal finance.

Consider Early Retirement

You probably don’t spend much time thinking about your child’s retirement, but it’s never too early to start considering their financial future. Putting off saving for retirement is one of the most common mistakes in personal finance, and it’s difficult to make up for lost time if you don’t start making contributions from a young age.

In contrast, putting extra money away for retirement is a great habit that will help your child reach his or her long-term financial goals. Twenty, for example, might seem too early to begin saving for retirement, but even just a few hundred dollars each year will make a significant difference over time.

Tip: Set up a Roth IRA

Most people assume that 18 is the youngest age at which people can contribute to an Individual Retirement Account, or IRA, but there’s actually no minimum age associated with these accounts. People of all ages can make and contribute to an IRA as long as they have at least some earned income.

While standard IRAs allow you to make contributions with pre-tax income, the money you put in a Roth IRA is not tax-deductible. On the other hand, contributions grow tax-free and aren’t subject to taxation when withdrawn during retirement.

Roth IRAs come with relatively low contribution limits—$6,000 in 2019 and 2020, for example—so you miss out on the tax advantages whenever you fail to make the maximum contribution. In contrast to some other retirement accounts, Roth IRA funds can be withdrawn at any time with no penalty.

In addition to the tax benefits associated with Roth IRAs, the money you contribute will typically grow much more quickly than in a conventional or high-yield savings account. Investment accounts carry more risk than accounts with fixed rates, but short-term fluctuations are generally outweighed by growth over time—especially when investing for a long-term goal like retirement.

The Importance of Budgeting

Many people avoid thinking about their finances because they’re worried about what they’ll find, and financial anxiety is one of the biggest obstacles toward developing a better money mindset. Simply reviewing your statements and understanding where your money is going is arguably the most important step in improving your approach to personal finance.

Without a clear budget, it’s easy to lose track of how you spend your money and end up consistently falling short of your personal and financial goals. You won’t even know what kinds of spending to cut back on if you’re interested in saving more money.

Tip: Start Budgeting Early

Rather than shifting to a budget later on, your children should understand the importance of a budget from a younger age. That way, they won’t have to adjust their financial habits to start working toward long-term financial goals like college and retirement.

Getting started with budgeting can be complicated, but there are more resources than ever before to help novices learn more about creating a budget. While there’s nothing wrong with budgeting in a notebook, your child may adjust more quickly using a website or mobile app.

Most kids aren’t as excited to save as they are to spend, but you should teach good habits by putting some of their allowance away. It’s important for children to see saving as a financial priority rather than something to do with any money that’s left over—people who think of saving as optional often have more trouble sticking to their targets.

Everyone has their own experience with personal finance, but you can get your children off to a good start by teaching them about money from a young age. These are just a few of the most important topics to cover as your child begins to learn more about personal finance.

8 DIY Crafts That Are Low Cost and Fun

8 DIY Crafts That Are Low Cost and Fun

by | Dec 10, 2019

Children today have more options than ever when it comes to entertainment. With a swipe of their finger, they can access videos, coloring books and online games. While this isn’t necessarily a negative thing, too much screen time can be addicting. 

Unfortunately, parents often feel like they have few alternatives to technology. Family trips and similar experiences can be costly, and it’s often easier to just let a child distract themselves. Fortunately, there’s a long list of low-cost crafts you can make at home. 

With that in mind, check out these eight DIY projects that are inexpensive and a joy to share. You may already have the supplies you need, which makes the process even easier. Try these crafts out with your kids to see just how much fun you can have away from the screen.   

 

1. Thumbprint Family Tree

If you have a couple of kids, sit everyone down at the kitchen table and spread out a few sheets of paper. Have everyone use a marker or a crayon to trace a large tree on their piece of paper. Make plenty of branches and a long trunk, but don’t draw leaves.

After they’re done making the trees, give everyone a different color paint to stick their thumbs in. Use their thumbprints as the leaves, decorating each other’s trees. 

They can write their names out around the trees and decorate them however they want. You’ll end up with colorful trees and an adorable craft you can hang in frames around your home. 

 

2. DIY Fairy Garden

Do your kids love playing with Legos or imagining elves hiding around the home during Christmas? If they love all things tiny, create a fairy garden with them or have them make their own. 

You can get supplies at the store, but all you need is an empty pot and supplies you might find in your yard. Decorate the fairy garden with stones and flowers, or use old dollhouse furniture to make it even more comfortable.

 

3. Corrugated Paper Bead Necklaces

An old favorite craft is one where kids make their own jewelry. There are entire jewelry sets sold in craft stores that contain shiny beads and different kinds of string, but those are often expensive. 

Instead of going over budget, make corrugated paper bead necklaces with corrugated paper and whatever string you have around your home. It only takes a few minutes and your kids will love showing off their new accessories afterward.

 

4. Homemade Neon Slime

Hands-on activities for kids are sometimes their favorite. Think of how many times your kids have wanted Playdough or modeling clay to make different shapes. 

Skip restocking the name brand craft supplies and mix up neon slime at home. Your kids will love all the different colors and how it feels in their hands.

 

5. Wooden Crayon Holder

Every parent knows the struggle of keeping crayons organized and in one container. Crayon boxes don’t always last as long as they should, which leads to crayons marking up fabric boxes or the carpet they end up on. 

Keep crayons in one location that looks cute too after you make a wooden crayon holder and personalize it with your kids’ names. Be sure to read woodworking safety tips so you’re prepared to use the right tools, like wearing safety goggles when cutting wood.

 

6. Mini Lid Banjos 

Kids who love to make some noise will adore this craft. As long as you have a bit of tape, some popsicle sticks, tiny rubber bands and a few lids around your house, you can create mini lid banjos in just a few short minutes. 

Use lids from used spaghetti sauce containers as the base of the banjo and have fun taping everything together.

 

7. Ocean in a Jar

If your family is itching to get to the beach but can’t quite get there this year, capture the ocean in a jar at home with a little water, vegetable oil and food coloring. 

Mixing everything together creates a wavy bubble effect that mimics the ocean perfectly. Throw in a tiny plastic toy like a fish or a mermaid figurine so your kids can imagine them living under the sea.

 

8. Geometric Bubble Shapes

A little dish soap and some straws go a long way. Help your kids fashion straws into shapes like triangles and squares before mixing up some dish soap and water in a bowl. 

They’ll be amazed at the 3D bubbles and enjoy waving their wands around. 

 

Try Them All Out

 

Even if you think a craft might not look interesting to your kids, it could end up being the highlight of their week. These low-cost crafts are easy to try out at home without requiring you to spend a ton of money at a craft store. 

Check them out the next time your kids look bored and need something fun to do!

 

Author Bio: 

Dylan Bartlett, aka, “The Regular Guide,” writes about DIY crafts and more on his blog. Check out Just a Regular Guide to read about similar topics, or follow Dylan on Twitter @theregularguide for frequent updates!