As single moms or even just as a parent we sometimes forget the dreams we had as girls. Life has gotten in the way and our days are filled with diapers, making lunches, helping with homework, and trying to balance the budget. If you have daughters you have extra concerns as she grows into a young lady. Puberty, periods, and processing what it means to be (or not be) part of the “in” crowd.
What Being a Girl is Go-getters, Innovators, Risk-takers, and Leaders
For my daughter, I wanted her to be a go-getter, innovator, risk-taker, and leader. I am all these things so I wanted her to be those things as well. I made sure she was involved in activities that matched her interests including acting classes, modeling classes, flight school, and a social media apprenticeship. These activities along with her school extra-curricular activities helped her get into an Ivy-league university, become a student advisor, co-found a magazine, and serve on boards. She truly embodies the vision of the Girl Scouts’ G.I.R.L. (Go-getter, Innovator, Risk-taker, and Leader) initiative.
I bring Girl Scouts up because I recently became aware of that acronym. Even though my daughter wasn’t a Girl Scout I believe it could have rounded out her girlhood experience. I’m thinking about all those badges she could have gotten from all the activities she was in and the skills she learned.
Helping Girls Reach Their Goals
A couple of years ago I went to an Atlanta Area Girl Scout event where I was a guest speaker. I got to see the organization up close and personal. I was there for the Camp Leadership career preparation session where I showed the girls how to create a LinkedIn profile.
I was impressed the Girl Scouts of Atlanta had the foresight to begin preparing their scouts for career life.
Being a Girl is More than Looks or Relationship Status
Being a girl is not just about looking pretty and being in a relationship, marriage and babies. It is growing into a woman with options to be whatever they want to be.
For all the things a girl can learn in the Girl Scouts, one of the most valuable things to learn is how to think critically and make decisions.
Being a Girl and Completing What You Start
Going through the LinkedIn profile building exercise helped the girls learn how to think about their future, their accomplishments, and the value of networking.
By the time the session was complete, most of the young ladies had their profile setup. It would take a few more weeks or months to complete it because they were just getting started. The average adult with a profile has only 50% of their profile complete. I am confident these girls will have their profiles completed by the time they finish high school and certainly before they finish college.
The Value of Being a Part of an Organization Like Girl Scouts
For younger girls still in elementary and middle school, the Girl Scouts continues to build their entrepreneurial skills with the annual Girl Scout Cookie campaign. They learn marketing, location scouting, accounting, and customer service.
As a parent who wants to make sure her daughter has the best advantage in life I encourage you to consider Girl Scouts. The friendships, the skills, and the entire experience will make all the difference in their lives.
If you live in the Atlanta area, the Greater Atlanta Girl Scouts’ enrollment campaign is open now. JoinGirlScoutsATL.com. When she’s a Girl Scout, she’s also a G.I.R.L.: Go-getter, Innovator, Risk-taker, Leader.
Samantha A. Gregory is an author, consultant, and speaker. She’s a single-mom lifestyle, money, and parenting expert featured in The Washington Post, The New York Times, Essence Magazine, HuffPost, ABC News, and Mint.com.
Samantha founded the award-winning RichSingleMomma.com™, the first online magazine featuring personal finance, parenting, and personal development content and courses for single moms.
She aims to inspire women who are ready to thrive and not just survive in their single motherhood journey. Connect with her on Instagram @richsinglemomma.
The one thing that single moms need but rarely make time for is a vacation. But it is essential to a balance life and important for your sanity. Keep reading to learn how to plan and enjoy a vacation on a budget.
“But I can’t afford to go on vacation! “, I hear you saying. Is that really true? I’m betting you can afford a vacation but your money is not being allocated for it. You haven’t planned for it and the thought of planning, paying, then taking time off for a vacation feels overwhelming.
I’m overdue for a vacation. I feel like I want to crawl out of my skin, especially in this cold weather (it’s currently winter 2020). Not that I want to stand in the cold naked but I do need to get out of the cold weather and into some heat. So what did I do? At the end of last year I took out my calendar/planner and started entering dates I want to go on vacation.
As a matter of fact I called it a Samantha’s Sabbatical and copied my travel wish list to a Google Spreadsheet. This is how serious I am about vacationing more. I’ve been reading articles about travel that is affordable to interesting places. In the meantime, I hit NYC for the holidays.
New York Vacation on a Budget for the Holidays
To get my travel engines started I went to New York for the holidays. It was my first time there during Christmas so it was wonderful to see the lights, windows, and crowds (in small doses). I got my plane ticket from Delta.com in October when my sister and I had the conversation about it. The ticket was reasonable (under $200 round trip). I got my son’s ticket a month later which was also quite affordable. I stayed with my daughter so I didn’t have to worry about hotel costs which are ridiculously high in NYC.
We got around on the subway ($33 for 7 days of unlimited trips) and took Lyft to and from the airport. Food was the most expensive since we decided to have a special Christmas dinner and opted to eat out or have take out.
The sightseeing was free and, despite the cold, it was fun visiting the Brooklyn Bridge, Tiffany’s, Time Square, and 5th Ave. A trip in the Spring/Summer will allow more sightseeing.
In the meantime, a cruise is calling my name! Getting out of frigid NYC and heading for a beach in the Caribbean (like the ones in the infographic) is just what the doctor ordered!
Cruising for Spring Break in March
The first trip of this year I’ve scheduled is a Caribbean cruise vacation to the Bahamas on Carnival Cruises with my daughter on her Spring Break. It’s been a few years since we have been on a cruise so we are looking forward to it. We found a good deal a nothing down payment plan and paid it off in January. I can’t wait to set sail and I’m counting down the days.
All Girl’s Trip to Puerto Rico in April
I saw tickets to Puerto Rico for an insanely low price a couple weeks ago. I called up my best friend and asked her if she wanted to go. As soon as she said yes I bought the tickets. We are going to enjoy fun in the sun in April (right after Spring Break), visit Old San Juan, and maybe the rain forest. The purpose is to escape the hustle and bustle of life for a few days. I think this trip will do just that.
May in Miami Vacation on a Budget
The next trip is to hot and sunny Miami for my son’s birthday. He’s not going on the cruise so off to Miami we go. We are both needing a beach vacation. I searched for and found tickets on Southwest that were less than $250 for both of us. I snatched them up right then and there. I’ll reserve a hotel or AirBnB soon. My strategy with planning trips is to get the airline ticket a few months in advance then reserve and pay for the rest as the trip gets closer.
Planning is key
I have a couple more trips planned for the year to Cancun and maybe even to Cuba. I might even do another cruise if I find another good deal. I’m also speaking more this year on how to relax and relieve stress. Traveling is one of my ways to rest, relax and release all the stress that has piled up over the past months.
You might be wondering how do I have the time and money to plan all these vacations. Planning is key. That’s it. It’s not elaborate planning but simply a decision that I wanted to travel more this year then putting travel dates and location in my calendar. I have a monthly planner that sat down with at the beginning of the year and entered the places I wanted to visit for every other month.
I think this is why I’ve found the great flight deals. I knew what I wanted so when the opportunity came I jumped on it. This is how it is with life really. Make a plan and watch for the opportunities.
You can start with one big trip and a small trip on a 3-day weekend. You can do a road trip to a place 3-4 hours away. If you don’t plan you will always make excuses about why you can’t take a vacation. It’s really all about priorities and how you decide to live your life.
Where do you want to go? When do you want to go? Start planning now!
Here are a few resources I use to find cheap flights:
Scott’s Cheap Flights – I get daily emails from Scott with cheap flights he’s found. I have a Premium subscription that gets me even more deals that include free bags and other international flights that are super cheap. Use my link to get a 1 month free trial and 10% off the premium subscription.
FareDrop – I get daily emails and text messages about flight deals happening in the moment. I love seeing what city comes up in the daily emails. If you sign up with my link you get two months free there is an annual fee which is totally worth it for cheap flights.
This is a sponsored post and it also contains affiliate links to help support this blog.
Samantha A. Gregory is an author, consultant, and speaker. She’s a single-mom lifestyle, money, and parenting expert featured in The Washington Post, The New York Times, Essence Magazine, HuffPost, ABC News, and Mint.com.
Samantha founded the award-winning RichSingleMomma.com™, the first online magazine featuring personal finance, parenting, and personal development content and courses for single moms.
She aims to inspire women who are ready to thrive and not just survive in their single motherhood journey. Connect with her on Instagram @richsinglemomma.
Taking a family vacation isn’t cheap these days, with the average vacation costing somewhere in the ballpark of $4,500 for a family of four. That’s not chump change, and it is a dollar amount not easily accessible by most American families. If you like to travel but have limited funds, keep reading for five budget-friendly family vacation tips on how to make the most of your time off together while keeping your bank statement safely above zero.
Buy the Gear You Need on the Second-Hand Market
If you have ever used VarageSale or hit the early morning yard sales for kids clothes, then you have already been a part of a very important second-hand economy, which has blossomed into a global multi-billion-dollar sub-industry. Buying used is not only for the things that you use every day, but can help you save money on occasional-use gear like hiking boots, life vests, and other items you’ll need depending on your planned adventures. You can also buy or borrow a few outfits and travel toys for the kids to make sure they look great for your vacation pictures and stay entertained en route respectively.
Don’t Sign Up for That Car Rental Insurance
If you’ve decided to drive instead of fly and you’re renting a car, you know the cost of the daily insurance on a rental is expensive and can quickly add up. If your current auto policy doesn’t cover rentals, consider a short-term weeklong policy to ensure you’ve got the coverage you need. Not only are these rates cheaper, but you might even find a better deal if you go through your current provider.
Take Advantage of Free Attractions
Sure, a trip to a theme park is a ton of fun, but there are plenty of free attractions all throughout the United States that easily trump waiting in line for hours for a 60-second ride. Traveller contributor Marla Jo Fisher list everything from Garden of the Gods in Colorado to the iconic Mount Rushmore carvings in South Dakota in this post. Of course, if your kids absolutely must have bright and colorful entertainment, you can always search for a hotel that has an on-site waterpark included in the price of the room.
Find Easy Ways to Keep the Kids Occupied
Inevitably there will be downtime while you’re on vacation, so plan ahead for your children to have plenty to do. Whether it’s with books, workbooks or electronics, helping them stay occupied can ward off boredom. Many parents find that tablets provide a happy medium in offering educational activities and something to pass the time. With apps for reading, drawing, learning a new language and, of course, gaming, there’s plenty to keep your child busy. If you’re in the market for a new tablet, look to models like the Amazon Kids Fire, which has serious durability at an affordable price. Alternatively, you can look to the newly released iPad, which can be had for as little as $19 a month, plus this could come in handy since this updated version has similar capabilities to a computer.
Know What Discounts Are Available
There is no shame in the discount game, and especially when it comes to your travel expenses. It pays to know what type of discounts are available when it comes to airlines, hotels, and events. For example, kids often fly free on Frontier Airlines with a Discount Den membership. A quick Google search can also help you determine places where kids eat free in most major cities, including Chicago and New York.
Go All-Inclusive (But Be Aware of Extras)
When you have a large family, all-inclusive resorts and cruises can be a smart option to help you stay within your budget. For the most part, all of your food and activities will be included along with your room and, in many cases, daytime childcare. But be cautious and know what’s included and what’s not before you book so that you are not hit with a big bill at the end for activities like the game room or premium menu choices. And don’t forget about coupon books, which you can buy ahead of time and plan your activities according to the best deal.
Traveling means that you are going to spend some money. However, there are ways to be frugal while having fun wherever you may roam.
By Molly Barnes, Digital Nomad Life Road trips are a blast, but they can also be complicated, especially with kids in tow. Unless you’re flying by the seat of your pants (so to speak), you’ll have to set an itinerary, work out the details of how long it’ll take to get...
As single moms or even just as a parent we sometimes forget the dreams we had as girls. Life has gotten in the way and our days are filled with diapers, making lunches, helping with homework, and trying to balance the budget. If you have daughters you have extra...
The one thing that single moms need but rarely make time for is a vacation. But it is essential to a balance life and important for your sanity. Keep reading to learn how to plan and enjoy a vacation on a budget. "But I can't afford to go on vacation! ", I hear you...
Samantha A. Gregory is an author, consultant, and speaker. She’s a single-mom lifestyle, money, and parenting expert featured in The Washington Post, The New York Times, Essence Magazine, HuffPost, ABC News, and Mint.com.
Samantha founded the award-winning RichSingleMomma.com™, the first online magazine featuring personal finance, parenting, and personal development content and courses for single moms.
She aims to inspire women who are ready to thrive and not just survive in their single motherhood journey. Connect with her on Instagram @richsinglemomma.
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…)
Samantha A. Gregory is an author, consultant, and speaker. She’s a single-mom lifestyle, money, and parenting expert featured in The Washington Post, The New York Times, Essence Magazine, HuffPost, ABC News, and Mint.com.
Samantha founded the award-winning RichSingleMomma.com™, the first online magazine featuring personal finance, parenting, and personal development content and courses for single moms.
She aims to inspire women who are ready to thrive and not just survive in their single motherhood journey. Connect with her on Instagram @richsinglemomma.
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
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. 🙂
Walking the long road to nowhere if we wanted to. The pastures contain horses that could either take us or leave us, LOL!
A couple of horses grazing
It’s cold in November in the mountains but we braved it to take a brisk walk
The lake in the middle of the retreat center with the fall leaves in the backdrop. So beautiful!
The big dinner table with food prepared with love!
Samantha A. Gregory is an author, consultant, and speaker. She’s a single-mom lifestyle, money, and parenting expert featured in The Washington Post, The New York Times, Essence Magazine, HuffPost, ABC News, and Mint.com.
Samantha founded the award-winning RichSingleMomma.com™, the first online magazine featuring personal finance, parenting, and personal development content and courses for single moms.
She aims to inspire women who are ready to thrive and not just survive in their single motherhood journey. Connect with her on Instagram @richsinglemomma.
Over the last few years I’ve seen the trend of school budget cuts for everything from art, music, and physical education. Schools are being shut down while prisons are being built in Pennsylvania and other urban cities around the country.
How Do Schools Survive Budget Cuts?
The school districts that remain struggle year after year with over-crowding, lack of parent engagement, and Ritalin overload. At the beginning of every school year parents are spending more and more money for school supplies. The things school used to supply in years past are now being passed on to parents despite paying high property taxes.
Sometimes public schools feel like private schools because the price tag keeps getting bigger and bigger due to budget cuts. There has definitely been a shift in priorities so I’m partnering with True Blue Schools to help you cope with these costs. It’s still important to contribute but it doesn’t have to put such a strain on your budget, especially when you can get help.
How Can You Give Without Breaking the Budget?
How can your school benefit from the power of many small (less than $10) monthly contributions?
The answer is as simple and as close as your natural gas bill. TrueBlue Schools program helps schools raise money in a simple, yet effective way.
TrueBlue Schools Win, So Can Your Child’s School
Some schools have earned $5,000 in a matter of months, $10,000 in a year and more than $40,000 over the life of the program.
Your school could earn just as much or more when parent and friends switch natural gas providers. Get more details below. You can also enter to win a prize pack it includes there are many ways to enter to win.
Background on TrueBlue Schools
TrueBlue Schools is a fast and easy way to help your school raise money just by using Georgia Natural Gas. When you become a GNG Customer, sign up for TrueBlue Schools and we donate $5/month to the school of your choice. Plus, you get a discount on your bill (it’s a win for your school and a win for you!) The $5 is not added to your bill, TrueBlue Schools is no cost to you.
· Select a school to donations once your new gas service begins.
· Enter some basic information, and use our secure online website to switch your service to Georgia Natural Gas.
· Don’t forget to provide promotion code TRUEBLUE to receive up to a 15¢ per therm discount on your gas service, in addition a monthly $5 donation to your school.
· Remember, you can always call 1.866.ONLYGNG to sign up by phone, too.
TrueBlue Schools has donated almost $2M to-‐date. Spread the word!
Enter the Fall Family Giveaway
Enter to win a Fall Family Pack brought to you by Georgia Natural Gas. You have multiple ways to win but don’t forget to sign up for TrueBlue Schools to get money donated to your kid’s school too!
The pack includes:
1 Fall Family Giveaway including 1 insulated picnic tote, 1 stadium blanket, 2 chip clips, 2 lip balms, 2 mini first aid kits, 2 hand sanitizers, 2 insulated lunch boxes, 2 cell phone anti-‐slip pads, 2 Chap Sticks, 1 kitchen apple timer, and $50 in Target Gift Cards
Five ways to enter the Fall Family Giveaway (readers can enter five times for five chances to win):
Leave a comment: “What would your school do with $10,000?”
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Samantha A. Gregory is an author, consultant, and speaker. She’s a single-mom lifestyle, money, and parenting expert featured in The Washington Post, The New York Times, Essence Magazine, HuffPost, ABC News, and Mint.com.
Samantha founded the award-winning RichSingleMomma.com™, the first online magazine featuring personal finance, parenting, and personal development content and courses for single moms.
She aims to inspire women who are ready to thrive and not just survive in their single motherhood journey. Connect with her on Instagram @richsinglemomma.
Hi! Welcome to RichSingleMomma.com. I started this website almost a decade ago because I couldn't find any blogs back then that helped single moms with money. I was having some success in that area so I decided to share what I knew about side hustles, making extra money, and managing money. Read more...
