You need 1500.00 a month to live, but you only make 1300.00. Do you keep trudging along hoping and praying to win the lottery or for your X to pay the child support?
Nope, you take charge of you life by starting with your finances..........
When the children are sleeping and hopefully will stay asleep,grab a pencil and paper. Write down each and every bill.
Savings- this is a must even if it is a few $ a month
rent life insurance taxes
electric /phone/cable vehicle registration/ inspection illness
food Oil changes gas
vehicle loan School supplies
insurance New tires
clothing Birthdays and Holidays
Now total them up- Do you make enough to cover the basics? Part of the basics, or no way...
Most of the time your rent, vehicle, and insurance stay the same.so, we will look at the other basics that can be trimmed down.
Electric- turn lights off each time you leave a room. adjust the heating or cooling a few degrees, Call your cable and phone providers and let them know that you are a single parent and can not afford the fees, a lot of times they would rather reduce your fee than lose a customer.
Food- replace your ground beef with less expensive ground turkey, Make your own foods rather than buy them. (Check our recipe page for great ideas). Do not eat out- do you have any idea how much they mark up food and drinks? Average meal out is 5.00 , you can get a gal of milk and loaf of bread for that.
Plan your meals- breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks and buy only the items on your list.
If at all possible, do not take your child shopping with you- you will spend more on impulse buys.
Most people over eat, you can check out books and find information online about serving sizes, calories needed per day, and good foods to eat. Fix your child plate for them, require them to eat what is served- if they chose not to eat, then they don't eat. A few times of being hungry will let them know to eat what you give them.
Your kids may complain and you may not like it, but you have to buckle down and make the changes needed to make your life better.
Clothing- hit the seasonal sales for great deals. Thrift stores can also save you some money.
If you do not receive any assistance, you should
Most states have programs that help people have enough food and most states have free or low cost health insurance. Use these resources as needed. Applying for these programs will also help you get child support. The state will help you get child support established, you may also be eligible for cash assistance.
Do not be scared or embarrased to ask for help- that is what these programs are there for.
If something happens to you, where will your child live, who will care for your child?
If you do not have a will naming a specific person that has agreed to care for your child, your child is handed over to a relative or your child becomes a ward of the state. You can use your computer to make a will and have it notorized- you do not have to spend $$$$ at a lawyer.
Life insurance- this is a must have for any parent- You work your rear off to care for your child during your life- do you want to leave your child with nothing? There are term life policies that are not very expensive and can make all the difference in the world if something happens to you.