Mar

25

Single Moms and the Recession

Posted by singlemom

March 25, 2009 |

A lot of single mothers will be used to living in the way that this article points to. They are used to not having a lot of money to work with, so the sacrifices they need to make now that we are in a recession do not bother them so much.

However, there are single mothers who will be doing these things for the first time. Maybe they thought that they were bringing in plenty of money, until the recession hit. Only they will know.

I want to simply offer up some tips to help you to get through this recession. I have heard that they recession cannot end until we have a full blown depressions. Other disagree. Either way, I feel it necessary to be prepared.

These are some steps that we can take to prepare ourselves for what may come:

  • For those who are making car payments, is there any way that you can trade your car in and make smaller payments? This may help you to be able to keep your car if we do have a full-blown recession.
  • Wear and tear on your car, and gas use: Walk whenever possible, or bike. Do not make extra trips, run errands on the way home from work.
  • Are you in the most affordable housing that you can be in? Maybe there are similar places that are a little cheaper to rent.
  • Where are you buying your clothing and other necessities? We do a lot of our shopping at yard sales, flea markets, dollar stores, thrift shops and while things in stores are on sale/clearance.
  • Learn to cook/bake simple meals, and to cook from scratch.
  • Children do not need brand new clothes every school year. A few weeks before school, go through all of their clothes, etc., and see what can pass as suitable. Yard sale and use thrift shops for the rest.
  • Stock a pantry. Not just with food, but with cleaners and personal hygiene items, as well as paper and plastic products.
  • Decide what is necessary: What personal hygiene products are necessities? How can you make your own cleaning products? What paper and plastic products do you need, and what can you find alternatives for?
  • Stock up on other necessities as well. For instance, I know that I go through at least two pairs of sneakers a year (because I walk so much), so I can get these while on sale so I don’t have to pay so much later. I can do the same with socks and under clothes.
  • Start using less water, oil/gas and electricity now. You will be used to it when the steps become necessary.
  • Learn to garden, and compost. Even if you can’t dig, you can use containers. You will need to learn to grow at least some of your own food.
  • Lower your phone and other bills as far as you can now, so you won’t feel the pinch so badly later on.
  • Get your children used to not getting everything that they want. For instance, one gift of $20.00 or less at their birthday with a homemade cake. How cheaply can you fill a Christmas stocking? How much can you get for Christmas gifts with only $40.00 or $50.00 per child? No, you can’t give them money for the mall, to go out to eat, or for the movies. Can they earn the money on their own?
  • Begin any home improvements in the most affordable way possible.
  • Shop back-to-school sales for gifts and to stock up for a year or two. Maybe three.
  • Shop clearance sales for next year, and the year after if you can guage the sizes, etc.

These are just some ideas to get you started. You can post your own ideas in the comments so that we can all glean off everyone else’s ideas.

Thank you,

Shannon


Comments

Name (required)

Email (required)

Website

Speak your mind

<< Post Navigation >>

« « Great Activities for Mothers and Their Adult Children | As a Single Mother, I am Learning to Let Go » »