Yay! It’s #FinanceFriday a hashtag I made up. Yet, finance is all so important to all of us. We have got to have money to provide opportunities for ourselves and our children. Period. Money, as the graphic shows, equals opportunity. Hate it or love it. That is the deal. But, we as single parents do not have to be left to struggle and never break even. It is all in what we do with our money. “I should be debt-free by now. I had a plan. Life happened. I’m adjusting and making another plan.” You must as well. Time to really make a Finance Friday plan.
Struggle is no way to define me or you. This is a season. It is not a destination. With all this in mind, I started the hunt for guest bloggers to provide you and me with tips every Finance Friday so that we can get our financial lives together!
Read on as Ranisha Grice shows you how to do it. I met Ranisha online, and she has an amazing spirit and love for Jesus. Also, she is a single woman. Now, before y’ll come for her, single folks have higher tax brackets and bring home less money because they don’t get the tax breaks for having kiddos like some of us. So, before you come for her, sit down. Read the finance tips in love. I’m loving what she has to say! (snaps fingers!) Oh, and I love you. I only said sit down figuratively. Haha!
Are you fed up with not seeing your money? You are working hard for your dollar, but where is it going? I wanna help you see your dollar whether it’s saving up for a family vacation or purchasing a timeshare to help you save on your dream vacation. I don’t know your income level or what comes in versus what goes out. Do you need a financial detox or cleanse? Are you spending way too much money? If you answered yes to any of these, I have some finance tips for you.
1. Try to challenge yourself to budget for a week or more.
Leave your wallet at home and put more money into the children’s jar. Do you have a children’s jar? If not, make one. Start by putting your extra change, no matter how big or small, into separate jars for them and watch it grow. They will be delighted and you will have begun, if you already haven’t, to prepare for their future. I know money isn’t a problem for every single mom, and that is a huge blessing. I simply want you to reassess how you are spending it and where it is going.
Got extra but not children’s fund or jar? Start one today! You can also do this for a vacation. Putting small amounts up per week or month will eventually add up to large sums. You have to be patient. Just start. You will be so glad you did!
2. Create a strict spending plan to help you save and get ahead.
You are grown so more than likely parents are out of the pictures as reliable finance sources of “help me out” money. Now that they have closed that door and you can no longer depend on your parents for their funds or ask for money with an open hand. Who are you going to depend on? You have children that depend on you.
How does it make you feel when you can’t afford to bring the kids to get ice cream and you spent the last couple of dollars on gas or had to buy milk or groceries? Right! So, know where your money is going before you spend it. Life happens to us all, having an emergency fund to rely on is an amazing headache reliever. Dave Ramsey has great advice on how to start one. Check him out!
3. Depend on God and read over scriptures. Believe it’s done.
Saving can seem hard, but once you get your mindset adjusted and can see the dream coming to life, you will be able to keep it up. I also claim the word of God over my life. Please find below some scriptures that I use to keep me focused and reminded about the goodness of God. He desires for His children to live in peace and blessing.
Psalm 112:1 Praise the Lord. Blessed are those who fear the Lord, who find great delight in his commands. 2 Their children will be mighty in the land; the generation of the upright will be blessed. 3 Wealth and riches are in their houses, and their righteousness endures forever.
Proverbs 3:16 Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor.
Proverbs 8:17 I love those who love me and those who seek me find me. 18 With me are riches and honor, enduring wealth and prosperity.
Isaiah 45:3 I will give you hidden treasures, riches stored in secret places, so that you may know that I am the Lord, the God of Israel, who summons you by name.
Now, there are more promises in scripture, but I want you to take the challenge and start as soon as possible.
As a single woman who desires to be married like you, I enjoyed keeping track of my Financial Goals for me. I want my husband to call me blessed. Again I know life happens, but we can start at any time to readjust our lives. We all want to live in the FAB lane, but what are you doing to get closer to your goals? Create a GOAL action plan. Ask yourself these questions:
- What do I want in life?
- What do I NOT want in my life?
- My top 3 priorities in life?
- My top 3 goals for my life?
Now, do the following:
- Name 3 things that would make your year a success for you and your babies?
- What are the benefits of success?
- Set dates for your goals. When do you want to achieve them?
- List the areas where your spending needs to be reduced?
- Write out your action plan to help you get to your goals?
- What do you have to stop spending on to get your house in order?
Need more tips to get your financial house in order? Follow these ladies on social media: Michelle Singletary @SingletaryM, Tiff the Budgenista @TheBudgetnista, and Tara Jackson @MsMadamMoney. They will help you get your financial house in order!
Now that you are on your way to Financial Success, give yourself a big pat on the back. You are on your way to finance success! Your kids are on their way to success. So, how about you make this official by signing and sealing a contract with yourself? Now, hold yourself to the contract you just signed. I’ll see you in the FAB lane!
Ranisha Grice is a faith & inspirational writer and a headband designer for Cupcakebands Headband Collection. Ranisha blogs as a way to reach those in need of support and inspiration. She also has a support group called Charms of Love. Check her out at www.ranishaislove.com
Connect with her here:
Twitter @cupcakenini
Facebook: @cupcakebandscollection
website: www.ranishaislove.com
Kaywanda Lamb is an author, speaker, podcaster, educator, and Coach to single moms. She’s written two books, spoken to women all over the U.S., and is passionate about helping single mothers manage motherhood, make more money, and WIN at life. Follow her on social and subscribe for doses of goodness, humor, and life.
