Being a single parent family is a unique experience that can be challenging in all sorts of ways. Add financial worries into the mix and it can be a recipe for anxiety, as even the most reasonable of us tend to focus on the necessities, treats and experiences we feel unable to give our children. Over time, this can trigger feelings of guilt, shame and exhaustion.
Firstly, it’s important to know that you are not alone. Also, you’re doing the best you can and it is entirely possible to break free of this cycle. To your child, just giving them a loving home is enough.
If you do need a little help making your money go further, however, we have plenty of quick tips. As with many things in life, it’s all about being resourceful!
The basics
Let’s start with the basics. Make sure that you understand the financial support and benefits available to you and your family as a single parent. This might be a council tax or electricity discount, childcare support or money to help you with the cost of living.
Budgeting is also a fundamental basic. It’s a good idea to work out a realistic budget and make sure you stick to it like glue. Perhaps you could download an app that helps categorise your spending and lets you know how much you have leftover for certain things, such as supermarket spending and treats.