SINGLE MOM BUDGETING HACKS

Over the years, I’ve had to make sacrifices to survive on a single income home. The following are some hacks that I use. Some are very unconventional, so I stress that you understand that this is what works for me and may not work for you. But whatever the case may be, I hope it is helpful. 

 

1. Seek out DIY beauty hacks on social media: My beauty budget is where I really make my cuts. I only get my nails done every couple of months. I only get my hair cut twice a year and if I color my hair, I do it myself with a box job. Do you really need $300 full head of highlights? As for skincare, I believe less is more. I don’t get all these 10-step beauty regimens out there. Once a week I use scrub gloves on my face and slather on coconut oil. On the daily, I wash with pure, natural soap and a drug store brand moisturizer with SPF.  
2. Use a credit card that offers no annual fee and rewards for spending: Use this card for everything…gas, groceries, etc. But be disciplined enough to pay it off in full every two weeks. And then you can use the points to travel or, I use the money and put it right back into my account.
3. Shop at consignment stores: It’s so economical, especially for young kids, who go through clothes so quickly. It’s also good for the environment. There are some really high-end shops where you can get designer items.  
4. Look for free things to do with the kids: Get creative. You would be so surprised how kids would rather go to a free spray park or make a scavenger. Sometimes my daughter is happier doing something I coordinated that hardly cost me anything, than going to something expensive. Check on parenting groups on Facebook for ideas.  
5. Take back roads whenever possible: Avoid tolls and take it easy on the gas pedal.
6. Be careful of accounts you have on autopay: Look for where you can cut ties with anything that is automatically charging you and product showing up at your house. Or go in and decrease the frequency of the autoship.  
7. Call your cable company and quit it! Or if you really can’t break up, threaten them with cancelling your service. Negotiate with them to take your bill down significantly. Don’t be afraid to be pushy and demand a good deal.  
8. Get a side gig and put that money soley in an investment account: I teach a class once a week and put that money straight into an investment account where it isn’t even a thought. Don’t budget that money into your monthly expenses. Maybe hostess at a restaurant once a week or babysit once a week…something you may even enjoy!
9. Eat before you go out and just get an appetizer and 1-2 drinks: Hanging out with friends has become so expensive. Going out for a full dinner with drinks has become ridiculously expensive. This is my advice to keep costs down. I also recommend bringing cash because many restaurants are charging now for patrons using credit or debit cards.  
10. Keep grocery shopping costs down by only buying what’s on sale: When you see a staple on sale, like say breadcrumbs, buy a bunch. Be careful of places like COSTCO where you may end up buying more than you need. Be very disciplined in buying, absolutely, only what you need. And not for nothing, not a bad idea to cut down on food intake in general. Food is for fuel and not for emotional binging. Buy healthy, organic and nutrient dense food.