| Are you a single mother by choice or by chance? | | | | keep track of all payments and receipts for a month |
| When it comes to managing finances, it can be | | | | and total them. Then, figure out what your monthly |
| difficult no matter how you came to be a single | | | | income is. If you have more income than |
| mother. Not only do you have the responsibility of | | | | expenses-terrific! But, if not you will need to do some |
| caring for a child (or children) but you also have the | | | | prioritizing.2. Reset your priorities as a single mother. |
| responsibility of keeping the household running and | | | | Cut out all unnecessary expenses. Downsize your car |
| paying for all of it. Even if you are fortunate enough | | | | and your house if necessary. Where are you wasting |
| as a single mother to get child support and/or | | | | money? Do you eat out too much or spend too |
| alimony you may still have trouble making ends meet. | | | | much on entertainment or clothing? These are areas |
| Here are some very basic tips to get you started on | | | | where you can really trim costs if you make an |
| your way to greater financial freedom as a single | | | | effort.3. Get educated. You can update your |
| mother:1. Budget, budget, budget. Some women | | | | schooling and skills to increase your earning |
| have never budgeted before when they become a | | | | potential-and as a single mom, you have an |
| single mother for the first time. This can be | | | | advantage for many scholarships or grants. Talk to |
| intimidating so if you can find a family member or | | | | the school financial counselors.4. Become a Savvy |
| friend to help you go over your expenses it might be | | | | Shopper. Shop sales and clearance racks to save |
| helpful. First, you need to total up all of your | | | | money. Use coupons and match them with grocery |
| expenses such as your mortgage, car payments, | | | | ads. Buy bulk and freeze meals to save money and |
| insurance, food, utilities, entertainment and credit card | | | | time in food preparation so you don't eat out.Eriani |
| bills. It may take some time to figure out some | | | | Doyel writes articles for and about Singles. |
| things that are not a set amount each month, so | | | | |