11 Charities That Give Free Christmas Gifts: A Guide for Cash-Strapped Single Moms

Every year there are single moms who are stressing about how they will buy Christmas gifts for their kids. It feels like a burden but did you know there are charities that give free Christmas gifts to kids every year? I’ve faced this dread myself in years past. I know what it’s like to wonder […]

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Single Mom Money Tips - Gratitude is Big

The Single Mom Money Tips continues with a few pointers about having an attitude of gratitude. You will notice a very different perspective when you change how you view life through the eyes of thankfulness.

1. Pay your bills with a grateful heart. The services you receive in exchange for your money are essential for living.

2. Be grateful because you have the benefit of using the services provided by the city, Phone Company, car finance company, and on and on.

3. A changed perspective may change your attitude about paying bills. You could be in a homeless shelter, unemployed, or living with your parents.

4. Lights, water, a car, gasoline, food, and many other necessary services are reasons to be grateful. So the bills are a blessing and you should gladly pay them.

Single Mom Money Tips - What Do You Really Need?

Today's Single Mom Money Tips is all about the truth about needs. What do you think about these tips?

1. Learn to separate your wants and needs. Sometimes it is hard to separate our needs from our wants.

2. Air, water, food, and shelter are really is the only things we need to survive. Okay we need clothes too, but the basics are few. The rest of the stuff is optional.

3. Plan your purchases. When you see that you need (or want) a new thing it is very important to plan the purchase.

4. Write down what you need/want, do the research, save the money, and then make the purchase.

5. Make the wanted item a reward for doing certain challenging tasks that you may be procrastinating about.

Single Mom Money Tips - Get Creative

The Single Mom Money Tips series is back with a few more ways to make the most of your money. These tips will also help you think outside of the box in getting what you want.

1. Discover other ways to get what you really want (money may not be the bottom line). With money constantly on the brain we forget that it is not what we really want.

2. The true needs are a roof over our heads, food to eat, clothes to wear, or a problem solved.

3. Look past money and see the true need or want, and then release the tension and negative thoughts about money and your situation.

4. Open your creative eyes and you find ways to get what you need without being burdened by the “not enough money” syndrome.

5. Barter with others including moms, small businesses, your health providers, etc.

6. Bartering was the first form of exchanging goods for services.

7. The basic idea is to give something to get something. You may have something that others need or want. It may be a product, service, or personal item.

8. Others may have what you want so you come to an agreement to exchange things or time instead of money.

9. The barter system is a temporary way to get what you need when money is flowing in slower than you want.

Single Mom Money Tips - Get Your Head Straight

These tips in the Single Mom Money series gets into the meat of how to be successful with money. Getting your head straight is another important key to attracting money into your life and making the most of what you already have.

1. Change your thinking about money. For many people, especially single moms, money has many negative connotations. You don’t have it, there is not enough of it, and you don’t know where the next batch is coming from. We have a tendency to think that it is out of reach we struggle with it.

2. Money is simply a tool to get the things we need and want. Of course not having it and thinking about your lack will not make it come to you any faster.

3. When you change your thinking about money, see its true purpose, and realize it’s abundance you will have more of it.

4. Remember that there is more money available for you. Whenever I have to pay a bill, write a check, or spend money I keep this truth in mind. I will have more, not because I am doing anything special but because I just know that it will come again.

5. Let the money go to receive more. Sometimes we get so caught up in holding on to money with such tight fists that we fail to understand that a closed hand cannot receive more.

Single Mom Money Tips - Extra Money

The Single Mom Money Tips series continues. This blog is known for the side hustle series so some of this you may know but just for reminder sake here are a few more tips on making extra money.

1.    Find a way to make extra money from your skills and talents. I talk about this on my blog and now I am talking about it again.

2.    Have multiple streams of income; it is almost a sin if you don’t.

3.    Your extra income doesn’t have to be consistent at first but enough to give you extra money for the special thing you want to do or have.

4.    Do something you are passionate about or just be able to see what people need/want and fill it.

5.    Check out Rich Single Momma for side hustle ideas.

6.    Take a class on starting a business through the local Chamber of Commerce. You don’t have to have an MBA to run a business but you can take a class.

Single Mom Money Tips - Banking Basics

In the continuing series on Single Mom Money tips today I'll share a few banking basics.

1. Join a Credit Union to avoid outrageous bank fees.  Your money will earn interest over time.

2. Banks are notorious for nickel and diming people to death. There is a fee for everything from checks to account balances below a certain amount.

3. A credit union may be one available through your employer, your state, or your school. (look for credit union website)

Research, Research for Best Deals
4. Research products or services online for quality and price before purchasing. Before you go out and buy a product or hire someone to do a job for you please, please check online.

5. When you research prices and quality of service you can same much time, effort and possible frustration.

6. Places to go online are Google, Amazon.com, ePinions, Znet.com, Cnet.com and a few others.

7. Get the inside scoop on the quality of a product and to get a good idea about how much it will cost. You can never go wrong with good research.

Single Mom Money Tips - Rainy Day Funds

Here are a few more tips in the Single Mom Money Tips series. Establishing a rainy day fund is a key to successful money management.

1.    Have a savings plan to prepare for emergencies. It is hard to predict when an emergency will happen that requires a large chunk of cash.

2.    Putting away money for a rainy day is very empowering (I’m speaking to myself here).

3.    If you have money saved, that is specifically for these times, your stress level will go way down.

4.    A stash of cash can relieve feelings of desperation and resorting to uncharacteristic behaviors.

5.    It is recommended that you have $1k-3k in savings. If you can manage to save at least $500 that is better than nothing.

6.    Open up a separate account for your rainy day fund. Use your tax refund, raises, or other windfall of cash to fund this account.

Single Mom Money Tips - Your Kids & Money

The Single Mom Money Tips series continues with ways to involve your kids and teach them about money:

1. Involve your kids in creating and maintaining a budget. Because the older they get the more money they will want.

2. Kids should know how the money is spent so that they can be more sensitive to money limitations.

3. When kids know approximately how much money is coming in and how much has to go out to maintain a life they will be more sensitive to your role as provider.

4. Knowledge about financial obligations might encourage kids to find ways to earn money on their own.

Single Mom Money Tips - Control Spending

This is the first post in the Single Mom Money Tips series. You may already know about a few of these tips but there may be many you haven't heard of.

I hope as you read you will make a point to apply them to your life. You will see a great difference and can begin taking control of the money flowing in and out of your life. Enjoy!

1.    Develop a spending plan to avoid overspending.

2.    The word budget conjures up the feeling of restriction and lack; so I like the word spending plan.

3.    Realize that when you develop a plan you feel more in control and it’s easier to stop overspending.

4.    Think about and list everything you need, and then assign a dollar amount to each item.

5.    Look at past spending trends to get an accurate view of how much you spend for bills, food, clothing, car/ transportation, and entertainment.

6.    Review your bank account online for a ready source for seeing where your money goes.

My Banking Horror Story: Lessons from a Wiser Single Mom

Last time I told you my banking horror story. I spent 30 minutes in what seemed like the worst bank account closeout customer service. I closed the account because of too many fees and the affect it had on my inactive account.

I ended up owing the bank money, which is precisely why they thrive off charging fees for every little thing. Here are my thoughts about banks and a few tips on how you can learn from my mistakes and make better choices.

Banks are evil!

This is a bold statement and is my personal opinion. When I say evil, I mean in the sense of being out for their own benefit and not for the little man (or woman). They typically attach fees to everything and for every reason, use bait and switch tactics, and overwhelm you with empty promises. Banks are about business only so larger customer accounts get the most benefits.

Bait and Switch

When I opened my account I was assured I would not have any fees because of my employer. About a year later I received a letter in the mail the account would be subject to a maintenance fee after the one year anniversary. This was not stipulated when I opened the account and when I asked if fees would apply at some time in the future I was assured I would never have fees.

I admit I should have called when I got the letter but I didn’t. Life got in the way and that was not a priority at the time. But as the saying goes, “money talks”. When my inactive account went into the negative because of fees I took action. I decided I did not want to do business with this bank or any other from now on.

Empty Promises

When I opened the account I was promised the free $75. I got it about three months later and I had to call and ask about it. After the call it was deposited into my account a few days later. If I hadn’t called it’s likely I would never have received the money promised.

Sub-Par Customer Service

The customer service was sub-par. The representatives or “bankers” as they are called seemed concerned only about being right. They didn’t seem to care about the customer. While I was waiting for a rep to become available a lady came into the bank from Czechoslovakia. She wanted to speak to someone who spoke her language and could help her with her question.

The woman standing at the front flatly told her there was no one who spoke her language in the branch. She said she spoke Russian instead. The lady needing help said she could speak Russian and after a short exchange the lady was told the information she needed was in English only.

Needless to say the lady left frustrated. It’s understandable if the branch may not have had what she wanted but the cold and aloof manner from the branch employee was unnecessary. The lady who closed my account was more concerned about proving how right she was and how wrong I was. I did not get a warm, fuzzy feeling from her at all. After that experience I will not do business with Bank of America again in any capacity. They do not care for people, only the money they gain from the fees.

Granted most banks have the same kind of fee structure as this is one of the ways they make money, however, commercial banks are not hurting for money and in this economic climate thriving while the rest of the country struggles to stay afloat.

Tips for a Better Experience

My advice when it comes to choosing a financial center to manage your money is to:

• Shop around and compare


• Look at reviews from current or past customers


• Insist on no fees and have it put in writing


• Be willing to bank online


• Don’t be suckered by promises of money or toasters if the banks reputation is questionable


• Close your account if you are dissatisfied


• Be sure they offer a rewards debit card if possible


• Use Credit Unions

My experience with this particular bank is not necessarily isolated. You may or may not have had a similar encounter with your local bank. As I continue on this journey of economic empowerment, I am learning that I have choices and the more educated I am the better choices I can make.

If you want to learn how to make good choices, not just about banking, but for your entire financial life, and you want to be empowered, click here to register for FREE basic Economic Empowerment lessons. It is never to late to learn or turn your financial life around.

Being empowered means you do not have to rely on another person or system to provide for you and your children. The result is less stress and more peace and calm in your life. Go ahead and enroll today.

My Banking Horror Story: Lessons from a Wiser Single Mom

Last time I told you my banking horror story. I spent 30 minutes in what seemed like the worst bank account closeout customer service. I closed the account because of too many fees and the affect it had on my inactive account.

I ended up owing the bank money, which is precisely why they thrive off charging fees for every little thing. Here are my thoughts about banks and a few tips on how you can learn from my mistakes and make better choices.

Banks are evil!

This is a bold statement and is my personal opinion. When I say evil, I mean in the sense of being out for their own benefit and not for the little man (or woman). They typically attach fees to everything and for every reason, use bait and switch tactics, and overwhelm you with empty promises. Banks are about business only so larger customer accounts get the most benefits.

Bait and Switch

When I opened my account I was assured I would not have any fees because of my employer. About a year later I received a letter in the mail the account would be subject to a maintenance fee after the one year anniversary. This was not stipulated when I opened the account and when I asked if fees would apply at some time in the future I was assured I would never have fees.

I admit I should have called when I got the letter but I didn’t. Life got in the way and that was not a priority at the time. But as the saying goes, “money talks”. When my inactive account went into the negative because of fees I took action. I decided I did not want to do business with this bank or any other from now on.

Empty Promises

When I opened the account I was promised the free $75. I got it about three months later and I had to call and ask about it. After the call it was deposited into my account a few days later. If I hadn’t called it’s likely I would never have received the money promised.

Sub-Par Customer Service

The customer service was sub-par. The representatives or “bankers” as they are called seemed concerned only about being right. They didn’t seem to care about the customer. While I was waiting for a rep to become available a lady came into the bank from Czechoslovakia. She wanted to speak to someone who spoke her language and could help her with her question.

The woman standing at the front flatly told her there was no one who spoke her language in the branch. She said she spoke Russian instead. The lady needing help said she could speak Russian and after a short exchange the lady was told the information she needed was in English only.

Needless to say the lady left frustrated. It’s understandable if the branch may not have had what she wanted but the cold and aloof manner from the branch employee was unnecessary. The lady who closed my account was more concerned about proving how right she was and how wrong I was. I did not get a warm, fuzzy feeling from her at all. After that experience I will not do business with Bank of America again in any capacity. They do not care for people, only the money they gain from the fees.

Granted most banks have the same kind of fee structure as this is one of the ways they make money, however, commercial banks are not hurting for money and in this economic climate thriving while the rest of the country struggles to stay afloat.

Tips for a Better Experience

My advice when it comes to choosing a financial center to manage your money is to:

• Shop around and compare


• Look at reviews from current or past customers


• Insist on no fees and have it put in writing


• Be willing to bank online


• Don’t be suckered by promises of money or toasters if the banks reputation is questionable


• Close your account if you are dissatisfied


• Be sure they offer a rewards debit card if possible


• Use Credit Unions

My experience with this particular bank is not necessarily isolated. You may or may not have had a similar encounter with your local bank. As I continue on this journey of economic empowerment, I am learning that I have choices and the more educated I am the better choices I can make.

If you want to learn how to make good choices, not just about banking, but for your entire financial life, and you want to be empowered, click here to register for FREE basic Economic Empowerment lessons. It is never to late to learn or turn your financial life around.

Being empowered means you do not have to rely on another person or system to provide for you and your children. The result is less stress and more peace and calm in your life. Go ahead and enroll today.

December Book Giveaway: 4 Chances to Win a Print Copy of 100 Secrets of Successful Single Motherhood!

This month I'm giving away four (4) print copies of my book, 100 Secrets of Successful Single Motherhood. Since it's the season of giving I want to let my readers know how much I appreciate them.

To throw your name in the hat all you need to do is join the Rich Single Momma Community Here. There are benefits to joining, including access to free economic empowerment lessons, games, calculators, and videos. After you join come back and leave a comment. That's it! Pretty simple, huh?

There will be one winner per week so look for the newest post. But you might be thinking, "I can't join the community more than one time!" I've taken that into consideration. For the next three weeks you can enter the giveaway when you invite other single moms or married single moms to join the community. Ask them to enter your name in the comment section for that week's giveaway post as the person who referred them. So you have four chances to win.

Everybody Wins
If your name isn't a winner for the print version of the book, you will still get the ebook version absolutely free! Anyone who joins the Rich Single Momma Community will receive the ebook version of 100 Secrets of Successful Single Motherhood!

Winner of the print book version will be chosen by random number generation. The winner will be announced each Friday at noon. The name lucky lady's name will be posted in an update of this post and she will receive an email congratulating her. At that time she wil need to give me her mailing address.

This week's entry deadline is Friday, December 4 at 10:30 am. (e.s.t.)

December Book Giveaway: 4 Chances to Win a Print Copy of 100 Secrets of Successful Single Motherhood!

This month I'm giving away four (4) print copies of my book, 100 Secrets of Successful Single Motherhood. Since it's the season of giving I want to let my readers know how much I appreciate them.

To throw your name in the hat all you need to do is join the Rich Single Momma Community Here. There are benefits to joining, including access to free economic empowerment lessons, games, calculators, and videos. After you join come back and leave a comment. That's it! Pretty simple, huh?

There will be one winner per week so look for the newest post. But you might be thinking, "I can't join the community more than one time!" I've taken that into consideration. For the next three weeks you can enter the giveaway when you invite other single moms or married single moms to join the community. Ask them to enter your name in the comment section for that week's giveaway post as the person who referred them. So you have four chances to win.

Everybody Wins
If your name isn't a winner for the print version of the book, you will still get the ebook version absolutely free! Anyone who joins the Rich Single Momma Community will receive the ebook version of 100 Secrets of Successful Single Motherhood!

Winner of the print book version will be chosen by random number generation. The winner will be announced each Friday at noon. The name lucky lady's name will be posted in an update of this post and she will receive an email congratulating her. At that time she wil need to give me her mailing address.

This week's entry deadline is Friday, December 4 at 10:30 am. (e.s.t.)

Single Moms Radio

Did you know that there are several radio stations with single moms as the subject matter? The other day I was browsing around Blog Talk Radio after a friend told me about her radio station.

My friend is Lisa Marie Carroll (Single Mom and More), another single mom, who has partnered with my newest friend Montina Fortune (SPARK Wisdom). They created a radio show to discuss the many issues single moms face. I’m glad to say that it’s not all about the problems, because anyone can talk about problems, but about solutions. The discussion is lively and you can call in and be a part of the discussion.

The show airs every Saturday morning at 8 a.m. (est). If you can’t listen in to the live show you can subscribe to the station via RSS feed or iTunes where you can listen anytime. There are other stations that focus on single mom issues too. You can listen to Lisa, Montina and the rest by clicking the Single Mom Radio button on the left.

Single Moms Radio

Did you know that there are several radio stations with single moms as the subject matter? The other day I was browsing around Blog Talk Radio after a friend told me about her radio station.

My friend is Lisa Marie Carroll (Single Mom and More), another single mom, who has partnered with my newest friend Montina Fortune (SPARK Wisdom). They created a radio show to discuss the many issues single moms face. I’m glad to say that it’s not all about the problems, because anyone can talk about problems, but about solutions. The discussion is lively and you can call in and be a part of the discussion.

The show airs every Saturday morning at 8 a.m. (est). If you can’t listen in to the live show you can subscribe to the station via RSS feed or iTunes where you can listen anytime. There are other stations that focus on single mom issues too. You can listen to Lisa, Montina and the rest by clicking the Single Mom Radio button on the left.

Wednesday Weekly Round-up - Single Dad Blogs

Occasionally I take a peek at what’s going on in single dad world. After all they are pretty much in the same boat as we are. Okay it may be a different type. They like fast things so maybe they are in a speed boat in contrast to the ladies who like a slower pace. So maybe the ladies are in a pontoon boat. But I digress….

So I’ve been visiting a few single dad blogs and here’s what I’ve been hearing (or seeing)…

Wednesday Weekly Round-up - Single Dad Blogs

Occasionally I take a peek at what’s going on in single dad world. After all they are pretty much in the same boat as we are. Okay it may be a different type. They like fast things so maybe they are in a speed boat in contrast to the ladies who like a slower pace. So maybe the ladies are in a pontoon boat. But I digress….

So I’ve been visiting a few single dad blogs and here’s what I’ve been hearing (or seeing)…

Design Your Destiny

It’s the end of the year and like many people I am doing a lot of reflection on my life. It’s nothing depressing or anything like that because I have had an incredible year. This time of reflection is meant to help me decide what direction I want my life to take in 2009. What will I do that is life changing; will I go some place that I’ve never been before, who will I meet? The cool thing is that I get to choose the direction I want my life to take.

Design Your Destiny

It’s the end of the year and like many people I am doing a lot of reflection on my life. It’s nothing depressing or anything like that because I have had an incredible year. This time of reflection is meant to help me decide what direction I want my life to take in 2009. What will I do that is life changing; will I go some place that I’ve never been before, who will I meet? The cool thing is that I get to choose the direction I want my life to take.