Single Mother's in need of Financial Guidance
Budgeting is key to being financially stable. A budget is a systematic plan for the expenditure of a usually fixed resource, such as money or time, during a given period. As a single mother you might groan at the thought of putting together a household budget with all your expenses, but its easy to do and will also help you become very financially organized. Many single mothers find themselves facing financial problems every day.
A single mother faces many burdens of everyday costs for her children's well-being, as well as her own, that at times will leave her in need of financial assistance.
Shaping up your finances is particularly important if you are experiencing a life altering experience such as a marriage, divorce, new baby or any other event that changes your finances dramatically. Whatever the state of your financial life, developing a sensible budget will allow you to stay on track.
The core of budgeting is for you as a single mother to see your monthly spending needs and habits. The purpose of a budget allows you to track your personal cash flow, which is how much money comes in and how much goes out, usually recorded on a monthly basis.
Adding up your monthly income is easy, but totaling up all your expenses takes a little more effort. First, collect all your bills, your credit card statements, your checkbook register and all your receipts, even for things you buy with cash.
If you haven't been keeping good records of your spending, you may have to get a receipt of every dollar you spend for a month before you put together an accurate budget.
Track you expenses by making entries in a notebook or learn how to in Microsoft excel which is a great tool to use when creating a budget.
Now divide your spending into fixed costs and variable costs. Your fixed costs will include such things as mortgage payments, rent or loan payments.
Your variable costs will include such things as clothing, food and entertainment.
Once you are managing your spending, you can easily decide which costs as a single mother you can cut and which you cannot. In most cases as soon as you see how much you are spending on your morning latte, snacks in the vending machine or treats for your kids, you will be motivated to cut back. Be sure to stay motivated by setting yourself goals.
Being a single mom is hard enough but it's even harder when you are faced with financial burdens that you cannot cover alone. Living a stable and healthy life is important.
Kathryn Spencer specializes in advising young mums with household budgeting, household budgeting, and household budgeting. Kathryn has long authored educational and support pieces for women and single mothers. Kathryn is a contributing author and editor to a variety of international and domestic web sites, and free newsletters. Kathryn lives in the southeastern United States with her two children Dylan and Kalie.
maide service in Park Ridge ..I'm still amazed every time someone comes to me complaining... Read More
One of the simplest ways to improve your professional image... Read More
Despite how easy it is to balance a checkbook, very... Read More
As a parent you are bound to face a few... Read More
I've been sharing the following idea with people for a... Read More
Today I passed a thermometer at a bank that read... Read More
It's the little things in life that make it interesting.... Read More
Confused about whether you can contribute to a Roth IRA?... Read More
When people speak about the increasing age expectancies, they generally... Read More
Those who keep a watchful eye on where their money... Read More
I've been going through and interesting growth period lately that... Read More
Whatever your reason for having a tight budget, the truth... Read More
An avid cyclist and bike racing fan, I sit transfixed... Read More
If you've been thinking about filing for bankruptcy, your best... Read More
When you received an energy (heating) bill last winter, were... Read More
Things are so expensive these days. We seem to be... Read More
With interest rates being at an all-time low, I can... Read More
It is estimated that we, as consumers, waste an average... Read More
Chapter 7The potential chapter 7 debtor should understand that a... Read More
Have you ever thought about what you are going to... Read More
Holy Shenanigans! More STUFF?Loosing one's business due to lack of... Read More
Each of us knows how to spend money, but do... Read More
If you were to ask 100 women "What would you... Read More
Address labels are many things to many different people. If... Read More
So, you've made the decision to apply for a credit... Read More
after renovation cleaning Highland Park ..The price of gas continues to climb, and with continued... Read More
If you were to ask 100 women "What would you... Read More
With almost two thirds of university entrants from England and... Read More
We live in a crazy world. Someone ought to sell... Read More
I have been a loyal user of Quicken(R) for more... Read More
Many people graduate from college owing thousands of dollars in... Read More
As the saying goes: "Buyer Beware". If you see ads... Read More
For most of us the process of getting out of... Read More
Finding a stable and secure income that will come year... Read More
Your boss has just informed you that your department is... Read More
If you're like most people, your personal financial records are... Read More
Debt levels are at an all time high in the... Read More
Does it feel like you have to be Sherlock Holmes... Read More
ID theft is a major consumer concern, though there is... Read More
Christians are called to be good stewards of God's resources.... Read More
We all know that money doesn't grow on trees, but... Read More
It doesn't take much for you to get behind on... Read More
People haven't always written checks to buy goods and services.... Read More
Recently, many of these loyalty rewards programs have come to... Read More
If you've developed a household budget to get your spending... Read More
The cries are heard from the distance, "I need help... Read More
You have probably accomplished a great deal with your life.... Read More
When people speak about the increasing age expectancies, they generally... Read More
Next to our physical health most of us are primarily... Read More
So, you've made the decision to apply for a credit... Read More
Personal Finance |