Seven Tips to Help Single Parents Make the Most of Their Money

Sep 6, 2019 | Parenting | 0 comments

Seven Tips to Help Single Parents Make the Most of Their Money

Single parents are some of the busiest people because they have to act as both father and mother. If you are a single parent, you understand what it means to be the head of the family. Perhaps no member of the family is in a position to help you take care of the bills, school fees, and other expenses. You might feel overwhelmed if you don’t know how to maximize your finances, but there is no need to concern about it because you are reading the right article. In this article, you will find some of the steps you can take to make the most of your financial resources if you are a single parent. Let’s go!

Seven Tips to Help Single Parents Make the Most of Their Money:

1. Create a Budget for Your Family

One of the reasons why some single parents are unable to meet the needs of their family is the lack of a budget. Simply put, a budget is a financial plan or an estimate of your income and expenses. Whether you are a salaried employee or a businessperson, you need to create a monthly budget based on what you earn and your family’s expenses. As you do the math, remember to include all sources of income, including your salary, business profits, child support, etc. When it comes to expenses, you should include your utility bills, rent, travel expenses, food, attire, gifts, vacations, and debts.

The good update is that you don’t need sophisticated accounting software to create a budget. You can simply use a pen and a piece of paper or an Excel Spreadsheet. Once you allocate the money, make sure you stick to your budget. Things will fall apart if you fail to, and you might end up borrowing to finance your expenses. You cannot afford to borrow more money if you want to enjoy financial security.

2. Get Insurance

As a single father or mother, you can capitalize on different types of insurance that will help you when the unexpected happens. Things like illnesses and accidents are hard to predict, so it is advisable to protect yourself against them. Health and life insurance should be on top of the list when choosing coverage. If you are employed, your employer may offer to pay health insurance on your behalf, so make sure you sign up. You should approach various insurance companies and compare the benefits of what they offer before you choose. Remember to include your children and every person who depends on you.

Many single parents have discovered the benefits of state and community-based programs that allow children to have checkups and receive medication at low costs. With that said, you should visit your area’s health department for more information. Other forms of insurance you might want to consider depending on your needs include disability insurance, property insurance, and social insurance.

3. Start Saving

It is difficult to have financial security if you spend everything you are earning. As a single parent, you don’t have a partner to help if you run out of money. For that reason, you need to save as much as possible because you can’t tell what will happen tomorrow. What will happen if you lose your job or fall sick and are unable to work? What if a natural calamity strikes and you no longer have a place to stay with your children? Well, you should start saving.

As you create your monthly budget, remember to save any unallocated amount and create an emergency fund. One of the best ways to save money is to open a savings account. Keep saving every month and watch it grow. Another important step is to have a college savings fund for your children’s education.

4. Cut Costs

You must reduce your everyday expenses if you want to save a significant amount of money within a short time. When taking care of an entire family as the only parent, you have to meet all your family’s needs, basic and otherwise. These include food, water, shelter, clothing, entertainment, and transportation expenses. Before you purchase a product, compare it with other products and choose the most affordable one, as long as it meets your needs. You should also avoid impulse buying, unplanned vacations, and unnecessary services or products. A minimalist lifestyle will also help you reduce some of your expenses. Try to purchase the items you need and let others wait if they are not a priority.

5. Pay Off Your Debt on Time

If you’ve ever borrowed cash from a bank or someone, you know how it feels when they come asking for their money. Things go downhill if you fail to pay in time and you incur additional charges or interest. The best way to avoid such difficulties is to pay off your borrowed money on time. Before you search for loan for bad credit near you, make sure you pay attention to interest rates.

6. Pay Your Bills on Time

When you are the only person responsible for your family’s expenses, it is vital to pay your bills on time to avoid late fees and other consequences such as eviction. Ask your bank if it is possible to set up an automatic payment system for your rent or mortgage payments, as well as cable and utility bills. Make sure you schedule your online payments as early as possible to allow your bank to process the payment on time. As mentioned earlier, you need to reduce your expenses, and one way to do it is to shop around. Look around and compare different banking institutions and payment programs.

7. Know the Fees You May Be Charged

The last tip on our list is about the fees you may be required to pay when you purchase something, borrow money, or fail to pay. These include shipping charges, interest rates, late fees, annual credit card fees, ATM fees, and debit card fees. Some service providers may even charge hidden fees when you sign up, which is why you should always read and understand the applicable terms and conditions before you register or order products online.

Final Thoughts

If you are a single parent, and you’ve been wondering what to do to make the most of your money, now you know the steps you need to take. Follow the tips presented here, and you will no longer worry about the future of your family, your child’s education, unexpected occurrences, or your financial security. You only need to create a budget, save more, reduce expenses, get insurance, know your fees, and pay your debts and bills on time.

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