How can dads and moms deal with finances, child-rearing, jobs, daily chores, and all the other life responsibilities that are part of the modern world? It’s not easy. But single parents always seem to find a way to make it work. Besides getting excellent professional advice, they employ tactics like cosigning for a child’s college loan, spending time on their careers, making sure their homes are safe, and taking care of themselves amid all the hoopla. Consider the following details about each of the most effective tactics single mothers and fathers use to deal with everyday life.
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Get Professional Financial Advice
It can be challenging saving money as a parent, and even more so if you are a single parent. One of the most cost-effective resources available to parents is a financial advisor. Most professionals in the industry offer reasonable rates for one-hour consultations. Expect to use two or three sessions to work through your monthly budget and long-term savings plans with an expert.
Be a College Loan Cosigner
Every year, large numbers of college-bound youngsters start making plans to attend the college or university of their choice. In most cases, they need financial help to get the ball rolling. It’s quite common for them to reach the annual financial cap on federal loan programs before all the bills are paid. What can they do when they need more than the $5,500 that the feds allow for the initial year of college?
They usually ask parents to cosign on private loan applications because, without an established credit history, lenders usually say no to applicants. It’s a fact of modern life that college students are rarely able to get a private loan unless they have a cosigner. Single dads and moms who have decent credit can append their names to their child’s private loan app and vastly increase the chances for quick approval with reasonable interest rates. All parents who are thinking about cosigning should review a commonsense guide that walks through all the essential facts about cosigning for a daughter, son, or other relative.
Build a Career as a Single Parent
Individuals who raise children alone can help themselves by focusing on a long-term career path. It doesn’t matter what industry you’re in; there’s always a path to the top. For those who want to find out how to move ahead, it’s worth joining an online career discussion forum for free advice and tips. Whenever large numbers of adults come together with a common purpose, good things happen. Explore the many no-cost webinars and chat rooms that deal with the subject of career building and job enrichment. From there, you might discover that it’s worthwhile to consult a vocational counselor or someone who specializes in giving employment advice to working adults. Single moms and dads can find realistic ways to boost their income potential.
When you explore your options you are likely to find courses that interest you. For example, you may find that an mha degree is what you would like to pursue. By seeking advice you will gain clarity, by taking everything you are hearing into consideration you are going find it easier to decide if you need higher education.
Make Self-Care a Priority
There’s a famous saying about charity beginning at home. When it comes to self-care, the concept is an appropriate one. It’s impossible to assist others unless you have the physical and emotional wherewithal to do so. But what is self-care, and how can a parent make sure to set aside enough time to create a self care routine and manage the task? For most, the effort encompasses several components, like getting enough rest each night, exercising regularly, taking stress-relief breaks throughout the workday, and more.
One technique that can bring measurable results is meditation. It’s up to you whether to connect the practice to a faith-based system or not. Millions of individuals sit in a chair or on a cushion for between 10 and 60 minutes per day, allowing their minds to settle down. On the physical side, brief meditation sessions can allow the body to reach a state of complete relaxation. If the technique appeals to you, experiment with various postures, session lengths, and forms of contemplation.
For more on this topic, check out the full Work Life Balance collection
