5 Tips For Single Mothers To Manage Finances

by Maria Bashi · Aug 24, 2021

The term “working mom” is enough to highlight the responsibility that befalls them as a single parent. Not only do they need to make sure that the dinner is ready on time but also provide for the kids, their school fees, and other necessities at home.

Consequently, it won’t be wrong to say that single mothers must deal with their duties through a well-thought plan.

If you are looking for some sensible tips that can help you manage your finances better and maintain a healthy budget, here are a few things you should start with right away.

Go for a Budgeting Plan That Suits Your Needs

Budgeting is a great way to be aware of where your money is going. This would help you stay within your means and focus on savings instead.

Thanks to a number of financial experts, you can find different budgeting techniques online depending on what your financial goal is.

According to the envelope system of budgeting, online money transfers are convenient but they can trick you into spending more. Therefore, it is better to keep a separate envelope for each of your essential expenses so you can separate the cash you need and deposit the rest in savings.

Alternatively, you can go for a 50/30/20 budget scheme as well. This is a great idea when you are planning to save up for an event or a costly item.

50% of your income is set aside for needs.
30% of the income used for the wants such as kids outing or meals.
20% of the money deposited as savings.

Moreover, there are some free budgeting tools online that can help you stay on track if you are new to this approach of managing your finances.

Ask For Assistance Through Reliable Support Services

Even when you have put aside a perfect budget, there are solid chances that you won’t be able to juggle office and home life successfully. Having a tiresome routine can take a toll on your health and affect your children’s performance as well.

Luckily, you can make use of government support and various private health and social care systems as well.

Some programs you should look into are:

National School Lunch Program.
Emergency Food Assistance Program.
Child Care Assistance for Needy Families.
Summer Food Service Program.
Federal Government Pro Bono Program
Child Care Tax Credit

Communicate With Kids About What You Can and Can Not Afford

Having a talk with your kids about finances can be a difficult thing. They are not at the life stage to understand family finances well. However, for single mothers, it is important to be transparent about what you can and can’t afford.

Make an active effort to bring them on the same page as you about money and financial planning. Let them know what needs and wants are and how they should be balanced keeping in view the sources of income.

Furthermore, encourage them to discuss their views on savings and expenditure as well.

Keep The Future In Perspective At All Times

As a single mother, it might be difficult to keep an eye on how the technology around you is evolving.

However, it is essential for your healthy survival. Getting your hands on the right savings account or learning to make efficient use of money transfer apps, can help you spend and save smartly.

Lastly, have a retirement plan in mind, look out for scholarships, and request your company for an employer-sponsored plan that could help you in the long-run.

Tip! Walk Away From Unnecessary Time on Social Media

Although it is always relaxing to spend some leisure time on social media and keep tabs on what your family and friends are doing, is it really necessary when you make use of these hours in a better way?

It is not just about wasting time here. Research shows that social sites are designed to provide targeted ads considering your search patterns online.

This can eventually result in you spending more than you had initially planned. In fact, a Columbian University had concluded that people who spent more time on Facebook had higher credit card debt than those who avoided it.

These are just a few tips that you incorporate in your daily life to improve financial management and make better use of your hard-earned money! After all, the change does not show overnight but you can begin right away and maybe in just a couple of months, you will be standing at a more stable monetary position. Good Luck!