Dating For Single Parents

Single Parenting On A Budget: A little planning could save you money!

Parenting, although difficult and full of challenges, can be one of the most rewarding and exciting journeys in life. The United States Census Bureau claims that there are about 13 million households in America where this journey is being experienced by a single parent. It is possible to create a budget and, if you involve your children, they may even learn good spending habits in the process! Using a debt settlement savings account can be a good way for single parents to educate their children early and establish good spending habits and the process of saving money.
 
Take some time to focus on yourself.
 
If possible, discuss issues with family members and trusted friends. Remember, taking time for yourself doesn’t necessarily mean you are being selfish. Also, think about finding an inexpensive hobby that could help you relieve stress. Try to find something that you enjoy that inspires you. If you feel centered, you may make better financial decisions regarding you and your children.
 
Control Spending and have fun.
 
Consider creating a spending plan. If you aren’t sure how to start, enlist the help of someone who can offer you responsible advice about budgeting and finance. You may also want to talk to your children about the importance of a good budget. Go shopping at sales and clip coupons together. You could plan a ‘cheap date’ outing during which time all of you can take advantage of special events such as ‘Kids Eat Free’ meals or Family Days/Nights at local facilities. Your public library could offer access to free resources.
 
Do your children have health insurance?
 
If your income is limited, you may qualify for Medicaid. If you do not currently receive child support, Medicaid may also be able to refer you to your local office of Child Support Enforcement. The State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) may also be an option. Eligibility criteria vary by state. To explore SCHIP go to insurekidsnow.gov.
 
Be aware of tax breaks available to you.
 
You may be eligible for some tax breaks from the Internal Revenue Service depending on gross income, age of children and other factors. Go to irs.gov or call 800-829-1040. You may also be eligible for child tax credits, working tax credits or child care allowances that can be taken from pre-tax dollars.
 
Speaking of child care…
 
Consider the help of relatives, friends or other parents. Discuss if they would be willing to watch your children and try to come to an agreement about what you can afford to pay. If your child is a student, some schools offer inexpensive after-school programs.
 
Think about a new career.
 
Do you feel you need to update your job skills or foster new ones? Think about what you might like to do and contact an individual in that career field. Perhaps he/she would be willing to meet with you, discuss their career and serve as a mentor. You may also want to research online sites such as elearners.com/projectworkingmom which may offer help for single moms and dads.
 
Review financial documents.
 
If having life insurance is affordable for you, it could benefit your children during a time of need. Perhaps you could create a will, review your retirement accounts and update all beneficiary information where applicable in order to secure their future and give you peace of mind.
 
Don’t give up.
 
Continue your efforts to have an amicable relationship with your former spouse or partner. Being on good terms might make decisions easier and provide a good example to the children you share.
 
Frugal Food Ideas For Single Parents
 

Shop with cash.
This may take some planning but consider if it would work for you. Try taking a calculator along with you on grocery trips and add the cost of each item as you put it in your cart This may help you eliminate unnecessary items.
  Cook in larger quantities.
Think about investing in a large crock pot or pressure cooker. Try to purchase one at a thrift shop or garage sale. Crock pots allow you to cook larger batches of food at once and pressure cookers can cook delicious meals quickly, leaving you more time for your kids and yourself!
  Consider shopping once a week.
If you shop less, you may be less likely to impulse buy, and you might save gas and time as well. Make a list of seven dinners and create your list from these menus. You could also plan your shopping list around sale ads in the weekly papers.
  Plant a garden.
If you have absolutely no space available in your back yard for a garden, consider planting various veggies in containers which can be placed on your porch or in other small spaces.

Originally posted 2009-11-18 14:43:48. Republished by Old Post Promoter

Tags: Budget, could, little, Money, Parenting, planning, save, single

I Couldn’t Possible Meet Anyone on a Online Dating Site Could I?

 

“Meeting people online is becoming as regular as meeting people in bars or pub and so on. In the UK we have over 7 million singletons living alone and many of them just aren’t comfortable with going out to nightclubs to meet a partner.”

 

Those were the words of a good friend of mine Sarah Appleton who funnily enough had tried everything to meet her perfect partner, even appearing on a popular UK dating show called Blind Date, 12 years ago in search of a perfect partner. Forward the clock to 2008, she is now 36 and has only recently met her perfect man. How did she do it through online dating and a UK dating site for parents www.parentaldating.co.uk which is the becoming UK’s number 1 dating site for single mothers and fathers alike.

 

As a parent myself with the explosion of social networking sites I am no stranger to the “Internet and interacting with people online. However as someone who has always considered himself a bit of a traditionalist I couldn’t possible sign up to a specialist dating site could I….?

 

Having battled through every excuse not to I finally took the plunge and joined the site that Sarah recommended parentaldating.co.uk the site allows you to register for free and upload a profile onto their network. However if I wanted to take advantage of all the benefits I had to part with some money and become a full member. What the heck I thought I am only going to spend it down the pub on Friday after work in an attempt to impress colleagues or females I try to chat up after a bit of Dutch courage.

 

On joining I couldn’t bring myself to sending messages to any profiles of females I was interested in so I just added a few to my hotlist and called it a night.

 

That was around 2 years ago and after a bit of trial and error and meeting three females in person form that site. I am happy to announce what I never through would work worked and I am now happily recently married man and we are now expecting our first child together.

 

So for all the skeptics like myself who never take a plunge and are stuck in the early 1990s, I would recommend online dating to anyone. There are many different niches and sites to find your ideal partner so good luck everyone in their search for love.

 

Ps. I would like to thank the people at www.parentaldating.co.uk for making me a very happy man.

 

Tags: anyone, could, Couldn't, Dating, Meet, Online, possible, Site

How Single Parent Dating Could Enhance Your Life

Single parent dating was not wholly accepted a decade ago. Traditional values placed the single parent at home with the children, especially if the single parent was the mother. However, times have changed and now single parents are welcomed into the world of dating with open arms. However, up until just a few years ago, it was difficult for single parents to meet potential partners because there were no clubs or facilities available for them to meet likeminded people who want and need the same support and understanding. Single parent dating has changed though.

Today, single parent dating is wholly available via the Internet. There are a number of online dating sites that are designed specifically for or have categories to provide single parents with the access to dating that they need. There are many benefits for mothers and fathers that have little time or inclination to begin dating via the more conventional routes. After all, lone parents do not have the time to simply go out as and when they like in the hope of meeting people. The following benefits may give you an idea as to how single parent dating can enhance your life no end:

1. You can access it from your own home – There is no need to go out to meet people anymore. Instead, you can sit in your pajamas, looking awful and feeling tired and still meet people! That is the beauty of online single parent dating.

2. It is cost effective – You do not have to spend money going out only to have no luck with the opposite sex at all. All you have to pay is a small subscription fee so you have more money to spend on the kids and still meet people.

3. You can meet likeminded people - Everyone on <a target=”_new” onClick=”javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview(’/outgoing/article_exit_link’);” href=”http://www.datingtheuk.co.uk/”>Single Parent Dating</a> sites will fully understand exactly how you feel about dating and having children. They will understand and empathise so you have a ready-made potential bonding experience there as well as something to talk about already!

4. Dates know that you have children in advance – No awkward moments when you tell them. No running a mile when they find out. No insecurities for you!

5. You can make sure that you like an individual before he or she meets your children - Getting to know someone via single parent dating is easy, but you have plenty of chance to find out where it is going before introducing your new partner to your children. That way, you are also saving them from hurt and resentment.

Tags: could, Dating, Enhance, life, Parent, single