A Variety of College Funding for Single Moms

It seems like summer just started but we all know back to school is right around the corner. Not only do elementary and high school kids go back to school, but millions of adults (especially single parents) make the decision to re-enter college after a few years to continue their education.

Sometimes there is confusion about the kind of funding available for non-traditional students, especially single moms. Searching for money for college can be frustrating but if you look in the right places you may find a few funding sources.

Check out the following online resources for grants, scholarships, and loans.

Need money for college? Use FastWeb's free scholarship search to find information on more than 600,000 scholarships!

Direct Loans

Women Grants, Fundraising, and Funding Sources

Adults should also think about learning the medical coding job to work from home.

Single Mom Advice: How to Make Cash Quickly

Recently I received a letter from a mom whose ex-husband lost his job and probably won’t have money to pay child support for a while. Her hours at work were reduced and she is scrambling to find a way to make extra money or start a side business to supplement her income.

She asked for my advice so this post will serve to answer her question.

I dug through the Rich Single Momma archives and found 9 articles that speak to her question. There are over 15 ways listed within these articles for this single mom to begin making extra money today.

Sell Possessions for Quick Cash

To sum the articles she can begin by selling some of her possessions either through the local classified ad, through craigslist, or at the local pawn shop. Having a yard sale (especially during this time of year) is also a very good option.

Cook or Bake for Quick Cash

If she has cooking and/or baking skills she can buy some ingredients to make cakes, cookies, or whatever her specialty item is and sell them to the neighbors and co-workers. If she makes up some samples to give away she could get pre-orders.

Use Everyday Skills for Quick Cash

If cooking is not her thing, she could use her everyday skills to make extra money. Whether it’s typing, sewing, crafts, or whatever she can do, there is a way to make money from her skills and talents.

The Biggest Reason We Fail

The biggest issue many people have is fear of their plan failing. They are afraid to try because it might not work. This is a very valid fear. When I first started making money on the side I was not all that confident.

I tested things out first to see if there was any interest. The way most products or services sell is through word of mouth or recommendations. People do it everyday. A friend or family member has a good experience with a product or service and they tell someone else.

Spread the Word to Make Quick Cash

The key is to beginning telling people about what you are offering. If you are giving samples of food it should be fairly easy to get things going. If people are asking you for certain things all the time it may be a clue that what you have to offer is or can be in demand.

First Things First for Quick Cash

If this single mom is in desperate need of money then I suggest she begin selling possessions first. It can be books, popular DVDs, small electronic items, instruments, clothing, furniture, or other valuables. Selling her gold jewelry is also a very good way to get a good amount of money fast.

These tips will help this single mom make money quickly. She doesn’t have to struggle or be afraid there are no options for her. The reality is there are many ways to make extra money in a short period of time.

Below are links to the archived articles on what I like to call side hustles or how to make extra money.

Make Money Ironing and Mending
Make Money Renting Your Space
Make Money Baking
Make Money Through Temp Work
Make Money Side Hustling
Make Money Selling Your Stuff
Make Money with Your Change
Make Money the Quick and Easy Way

I hope you enjoyed reading How to Make Cash Quickly.

Do you have any specific questions you’d like to ask me about making extra money or how to reduce your stress as a single mom? Send me an email to samantha at richsinglemomma.com or simply leave a comment below.

Insurance Must-Haves for Solo Parents

For many people, insurance is a big part of their financial plans regardless of their status. But for a single mom like me, it is a necessity. If there is anything that single parents shouldn’t be without, it’s a contingency plan. Having only one person taking care of the family means there is hardly someone else to fall back on if something goes awry. This is where insurance comes in as the family’s safety net.

Before I discuss the types of insurance single parents need, it is first important to determine how much of your pay you can allocate for insurance premiums.

Insurance Must-Haves for Solo Parents

For many people, insurance is a big part of their financial plans regardless of their status. But for a single mom like me, it is a necessity. If there is anything that single parents shouldn’t be without, it’s a contingency plan. Having only one person taking care of the family means there is hardly someone else to fall back on if something goes awry. This is where insurance comes in as the family’s safety net.

Before I discuss the types of insurance single parents need, it is first important to determine how much of your pay you can allocate for insurance premiums.

Operation Nurture Mommy: Free and Low Cost Ways to Take Care of Myself without Breaking the Bank

I am worn out, emotionally that is. Over the last couple of months I have been doing a lot of extra giving, especially to my kids. I love them so much and want them to have the best of me. I want to be emotionally present and assure them of my love and interest in their lives.

It seems the fallout of being a single mom is the need to over express and give abundant reassurance that my kids are okay. They are loved and wanted.

Operation Nurture Mommy: Free and Low Cost Ways to Take Care of Myself without Breaking the Bank

I am worn out, emotionally that is. Over the last couple of months I have been doing a lot of extra giving, especially to my kids. I love them so much and want them to have the best of me. I want to be emotionally present and assure them of my love and interest in their lives.

It seems the fallout of being a single mom is the need to over express and give abundant reassurance that my kids are okay. They are loved and wanted.

Side Hustle Round-up

Over the last few months I’ve been sharing ways to make extra money on the side. I’ve covered most interests but there are still many more to consider.

If you got a copy of the Side Hustles for Single Moms ebook, you know that there are over 200 ways to make extra money. But repetition always leaves an impression so I’ll review a few of the past side hustles now.

Side Hustle Round-up

Over the last few months I’ve been sharing ways to make extra money on the side. I’ve covered most interests but there are still many more to consider.

If you got a copy of the Side Hustles for Single Moms ebook, you know that there are over 200 ways to make extra money. But repetition always leaves an impression so I’ll review a few of the past side hustles now.

Single Mom Public Enemy #1 - Money (Not Enough)

Money was the biggest problem I faced as a single mom, especially in the early days of motherhood. I was constantly worried about how I was going to pay for food, gas, rent, and clothes. The basics needs of our lives couldn't be met without a lot of worry, juggling, and praying.

Occasionally I got help from my parent but I hated to ask them for anything. I lived with them for a few months after I had my daughter then moved out. I was blessed to be on the local Section 8 or rental assistance program. I was on food stamps and WIC too so that took care of my food issues. Still, being on these programs did not diminish the nagging worry about money.

There was still mounting debt, being under employed despite having a two year degree, and simply not being able to buy clothes whenever I needed to or do something nice for myself. Most single moms can relate, very few can't.

Remembering the struggles of single motherhood prompted me to brainstorm the ways single mom struggle. I've included the money piece above and added the entire mind map on another page. Take a look at it and see if I'm on track. Did I miss something? Leave a comment and let me know.

Single Mom Public Enemy #1 - Money (Not Enough)

Money was the biggest problem I faced as a single mom, especially in the early days of motherhood. I was constantly worried about how I was going to pay for food, gas, rent, and clothes. The basics needs of our lives couldn't be met without a lot of worry, juggling, and praying.

Occasionally I got help from my parent but I hated to ask them for anything. I lived with them for a few months after I had my daughter then moved out. I was blessed to be on the local Section 8 or rental assistance program. I was on food stamps and WIC too so that took care of my food issues. Still, being on these programs did not diminish the nagging worry about money.

There was still mounting debt, being under employed despite having a two year degree, and simply not being able to buy clothes whenever I needed to or do something nice for myself. Most single moms can relate, very few can't.

Remembering the struggles of single motherhood prompted me to brainstorm the ways single mom struggle. I've included the money piece above and added the entire mind map on another page. Take a look at it and see if I'm on track. Did I miss something? Leave a comment and let me know.

Single Mom Breastfeeding: Save Money and Bond with Baby

*This post is mainly for single moms who are currently pregnant, but you can read it too.

New single moms face many fears about their ability to be a good parent without a husband. When I was pregnant with my daughter I was scared and unsure about how to take care of this new life. I read a lot of books and prepared my mind for the task. I knew that I wanted to nurture my child and have a close bond with her because I didn't have that with my mother.

In my reading about breastfeeding I learned that it is a great way to bond with my baby and give her the best start in life. So I made the decision and gathered books from the library about breastfeeding. I won't go into the details about how I did it but you can read about it over at Sexy Nursing Bras after reading this post ;-).

Single Mom Breastfeeding: Save Money and Bond with Baby

*This post is mainly for single moms who are currently pregnant, but you can read it too.

New single moms face many fears about their ability to be a good parent without a husband. When I was pregnant with my daughter I was scared and unsure about how to take care of this new life. I read a lot of books and prepared my mind for the task. I knew that I wanted to nurture my child and have a close bond with her because I didn't have that with my mother.

In my reading about breastfeeding I learned that it is a great way to bond with my baby and give her the best start in life. So I made the decision and gathered books from the library about breastfeeding. I won't go into the details about how I did it but you can read about it over at Sexy Nursing Bras after reading this post ;-).