Being a frugal single parent isn't easy, but the more effort you put toward applying simple, everyday money-saving strategies, the more natural they become. No matter where you're at in this process, the following strategies can help you become an even more frugal single parent:
Sell your children's gently used clothing at a local consignment shop, and use the proceeds to purchase items for an upcoming season. Apply this strategy each season, and you'll save hundreds of dollars on your children's annual clothing budget.
Do you need a new kitchen table, couch, or child's desk? Check out your local Freecycle listing to find out whether someone in your area is looking to give away--for free--a similar item. This will allow you to spend a much smaller amount of money personalizing it, with pillows or a decorative items, as opposed to spending a lot of money on the item itself. Consider having a friend come with you to pick your free items, particularly if you will need help transporting them.
One of the biggest challenges is simply making enough money to cover the bills each month. Consider starting an easy-to-manage side business, such as pet sitting or house cleaning. Best of all, you can bring your kids along when needed, so it doesn't have to take away from your time together.
A huge chunk of your monthly income goes toward groceries and eating out. Learn to cut back on this regular expense by making a grocery list each week, buying what's on sale, and using coupons when you can.
Cut back on restaurant and take-out meals by making sure that you always have ingredients on hand for a quick, easy home-cooked meal. Pasta and canned tuna fish are great backup options.
There's a lot you can do to increase the potential of either getting a raise at your current job, or making your qualifications more appealing to other employers. Begin to take steps toward increasing your visibility at work, learning new skills, and preparing yourself for advancement.
If you're thinking about going back to school, take the time to research grants and scholarships that may be available to you. You may find that you're eligible for more assistance that you initially thought!
Force yourself to wait until you can pay for big purchases with cash. Relying on credit to cover what you can't afford usually encourages buyers to spend more than they would if they were using cash.
Save on school supplies and big purchases by shopping during your state's tax free week, weekend, or day. If your state does not offer a tax free shopping event, look for one in a nearby state and turn your shopping excursion into a
day trip.
Learning how to save more and spend less isn't a one-time event. You have to look at the big picture, know how much money you're taking in each month, and how much money you're spending. To find out how to do this, take our free
"Money Management 101" eCourse for single moms and dads.
