All over the country, utility bills are skyrocketing. The cost of electricity, water and gas are higher than ever, and one bill that is above average has the power to break your budget. Keep the costs as low as possible with a few of these helpful tips:  

Invest in fluorescent lights. Yes, those cute little curly lights are more expensive than the incandescent you are used to buying, but they pay for themselves within a few months. The drop in your electric bill can be dramatic, and the lights last much longer than their old-fashioned counterparts.  

Keep your water heater warm! Purchase an insulating jacket to wrap around your hot water heater and keep the cold at bay. You will shave dollars off your electric or gas bill by doing this, and the money saved will pay for the insulating jacket by the end of the year.

Turn down the heat. Wear warm clothes and layers when it’s cold outside, and turn your thermostat down. The less heat you use, the lower your bill will be. During the summertime, open up your windows and invest in a few fans. Run your air conditioner on only the hottest days of the year, and you will see a major drop in your electricity usage.  

Wash your clothes in cold water. There are detergents on the market that work best in cold water, and your clothes come out clean and fresh. Not using hot water in your washing machine will save a bundle!  

Install a low-flow showerhead. You can cut down on the water used by almost fifty percent and you won’t notice the difference, thanks to the maintained water pressure that comes through the showerhead. You will see the difference on your water bill almost immediately.  

Do you leave items plugged in all the time? Those appliances are sucking a small amount of electricity all the time, and those little amounts can really add up. When you aren’t using something, unplug it from the wall. If you have several items in one area, such as a computer with an attached printer and modem, plug them all into a power strip – and then turn the strip off when you aren’t using the electronics. By simply unplugging items in your house, you can cut your electrical bill by an enormous amount every month. As an added bonus, unplugging your appliances helps cut the risk of electrical fires.  

Look around your home for other ways to cut your utility bills – and have more money at the end of the month to spend on other things you need.

Denise Bergeron writes articles for single moms in need of financial help and advice.  You can visit her site at www.singlemomfinancialhelp.com  for additional information on education, career and business issues, home matters, relationships and education.

If you have investments, whether they be stocks, bonds, or something else, you are probably wondering what will happen to them if the economy falls into a deep recession. Depending on the size of your investments and the amount of risk you took when you invested, you could stand to lose quite a bit of money.

One of the first things you need to do is build a “recession proof” portfolio. This begins with focusing your investments on the things people have to buy. For instance, no matter how difficult the financial markets get, people will have to buy food, pay to heat their homes, and buy basic toiletry necessities. The companies that provide these kinds of services or products are the ones you need to have in your portfolio. You can mix in some other more risky investments, but these “safe” stocks, known as “consumer staple stocks,” are the backbone of a recession proof portfolio.

Another trick to protecting your portfolio during difficult financial times is investing in companies that do not have much debt. Also, you need to keep your own personal finances as free from debt as possible. Companies and individuals who do not have tremendous amounts of debt can pull in and weather just about any financial storm.

If you fear a recession looming, make sure your portfolio and other investments are balanced. In other words, make sure that you invest in a variety of assets, including stocks, bonds, and mutual funds, but also non-traditional investments, such as gold or real estate. This means that you will still be afloat if one branch of your investments suffers.

One temptation to avoid is the temptation to bail on your investments. While a recession will make it appear that you are losing tremendous amounts of money, stick with your investments. Remember, the market may recover. Even after the Great Depression in the early 1900s, the market did, eventually, recover. Unless you are facing retirement very soon, keep your money in the markets, choose low-risk investments for a while, but avoid the temptation to sell everything and hold onto the cash. Cash cannot grow, so be patient and wait for the market to improve.

With these tips, you can build and manage a portfolio that can weather most financial storms. Remember, no investment is guaranteed, so build a diverse portfolio and stick with it in difficult times. You are likely to come out a winner if you do.

Denise Bergeron writes articles for single moms in need of financial help and advice.  You can visit her site at www.singlemomfinancialhelp.com  for additional information on education, career and business issues, home matters, relationships and education.

You need to work to pay the bills, and you need a car to get to work (among many other places). But affording a car can be really tough on a single mom with limited income. There’s the car itself, and then there’s car insurance, gas and maintenance, too. It’s enough to make your head spin. If you’re having trouble purchasing a vehicle, getting a loan, or securing reliable transportation, we have a few ideas to help you out.

Consider whether you really need a car or not. If you live in a city, chances are you might not. Public transportation is great in cities and can usually get you everywhere you need to go. You’ll lose the convenience of having your own car, but it’s worth it when you see how much money you’re saving. If the kids are old enough, they can ride the bus to school or walk there if it’s close enough. You can always accompany them on a public bus if need be. Purchase a frequent-rider pass for reduced fares.

If you’ve decided that you need your own vehicle, you’ll probably want to avoid the dealerships and look for alternative places to purchase your car. Habitat for Humanity takes donated cars and sells them for reduced prices. You should also check the paper or CraigsList.com to look for used cars. You could also write a post on Craigslist.com explaining your situation and saying that you’re looking for an affordable, reliable automobile. You never know who will read it-maybe someone has a car they were going to sell but would rather it go somewhere it’s really needed. You could also check with car rental companies-they occasionally have rental cars for sale. Just be sure to have a mechanic inspect any used vehicle before you buy it.

Don’t forget to check with your local Social Services agency, credit union, or any related non-profits in the area. Many times credit unions will design loan programs that help single mothers purchase reliable transportation a credit union is a very good source for financial help . More often than not, a vehicle means the difference between a single mom receiving government aid and not because of her ability to get to work. Agencies know this and many will take extra steps to help you on your quest to find a car. Use the power of the internet to help you, too. Search for automobile grants and loans for single moms.

The goal of SingleMomFinancialHelp.com is to help women change the world through information and education. We are creating a support structure through which all women of the world can educate one another about where they have been, where they are right now and where they are going. With help from our site and the information and articles we distribute women will be more educated in finance, business, home matters, relationships, career and higher education.

Many single moms think they are doomed to renting due to their financial status. Most two-parent families are also two-income families, and this makes it much easier to get a mortgage, and, therefore, a home. Many single moms struggle to make ends meet financially. As they work to be both mother and breadwinner, many end up in the lower income brackets, making it seem impossible for them to get a home of their own.

The good news is that there are a few private and government first time home buyers program available for single moms to find help in getting a home, even with a poor financial situation. One of the most common ways for a single mom to get a home is through the Housing and Urban Development program, which is usually called HUD. HUD works with lenders to guarantee loans for people who would not normally qualify for a mortgage. This guarantee makes it possible for the lender to loan to someone who is considered a poor risk, because the government will pay a portion of the loan if the borrower defaults. Single moms who need a little help can apply for FHA assistance through HUD. If they are approved, the chance that they will be approved for a loan is increased quite a bit.

HUD has another program designed specifically for people who are in lower income brackets. This program is called the Housing Choice Vouchers Program. Under this program, low-income families with children, including those with just a mom, can get vouchers to help pay rent or mortgage payments. These are handled by state agencies that are overseen by the federal government, so the specific details may vary from state to state.

The HOME Program is a final option for single moms who have low incomes. This program is overseen by the Housing Finance Agency. It helps single moms and other low-income families by providing assistance with down payments on their homes, which is one hurdle that many single moms simply cannot overcome.

As you can see, there are a variety of programs available to help single moms who find themselves facing financial difficulties realize their dream of owning a home. If you are considering using one of these programs, take a close look at your budget to make sure that you can honestly afford the loan payment, even with help. If you can, get the help you need, and start shopping for your dream home.

The goal of SingleMomFinancialHelp.com is to help women change the world through information and education. We are creating a support structure through which all women of the world can educate one another about where they have been, where they are right now and where they are going. With help from our site and the information and articles we distribute women will be more educated in finance, business, home matters, relationships, career and higher education.

With the rising prices of attending colleges, many single mothers are looking towards community colleges to help defray some of the costs. More and more students are recognizing the many benefits of community colleges, and are choosing to spend the first year or two of their studies at institutions like these. Some of the many benefits of community colleges include:

• Close to home. Many communities have local colleges, which means that students do not have to travel far to find high quality education. And since single moms and their families will not be spending exorbitant amounts of money on tuition, they often do not have to borrow money through student loan programs. Studying close to home also means that moms can still live with their children, thereby saving on room, board, and travel expenses.
• Small class sizes. Classes in community colleges are usually relatively small, so students get more individualized attention from their instructors. This interaction can often mean that students get a firmer grasp of the course’s content, making them well-prepared for advanced classes.
• Low tuition costs. The costs for courses at a local community college are often much less than universities or four year colleges, making higher education accessible to everyone. Mothers who would struggle financially to put themselves through a university are usually much more able to pay for courses at a community college. Students can often also work part-time and pay for the coursework themselves.
• Quality of education. Whether the students at community colleges intend to end their education with their associate’s degree, or they plan on transferring their coursework credit to a university, the quality of education at community colleges is usually more than sufficient. Instructors usually have a strong commitment to their students, and work hard to make their courses meaningful.

If you are interested in attending a community college, look around to the choices in your area, paying attention to both the programs they offer as well as their quality of instructors. You will usually be able to find several colleges in your area that offer your intended program; so your choice comes down to how impressed you are with the instructors, as well as how transferable the coursework is. Ask the college’s registrar to give you a list of which universities accept credits from them, to make sure that you can use the credits you earn later on, if you desire.

The goal of SingleMomFinancialHelp.com is to help women change the world through information and education. We are creating a support structure through which all women of the world can educate one another about where they have been, where they are right now and where they are going. With help from our site and the information and articles we distribute women will be more educated in finance, business, home matters, relationships, career and higher education.

Economics is not a complicated topic when viewed in a broad sense. The economy can either do well or do poorly. When it does well, prosperity lasts for a while, but it almost always slows down and starts to do poorly again in the future. Then, it will swing back up again. Those times of economic slow down are called “recessions.”

Recessions are inevitable, so it is only sound financial advice to tell you to plan ahead for them, even if you are currently experiencing a time of economic prosperity. If you are in a recession, there are steps you can take to keep it from impacting you too much.

The most dangerous thing that happens in a recession is job loss. As the economy slows down, people slow down their spending, and businesses suffer. This forces them to lay off workers, and those workers are the ones that suffer the most during a recession and most likely need financial help.

The best way to protect yourself from this possibility is to lay up some cash reserves. Economists recommend having three to six months worth of living expenses saved. This takes time, but you need to start working towards this goal in your financial planning.

Another danger of a recession is price increases. As companies try to make up for the lack of sales, they are often forced to raise prices. You can combat this by learning to cut coupons, shop sales, and stock up on your necessities when they are at a good price. Also, make sure you are only buying what you need. Save the “extras” for an occasional treat, but learn to tone down your spending habits. A recession is not the time to buy a lot of “extras.”

Finally, whether the economy is good or bad, make sure you do not take on too much debt. Your non-mortgage debt should be as close to zero as possible. If possible, keep your monthly payments that are going towards debt, including your mortgage payment, around 30 percent of your total monthly income. Anything more than this is dangerous, particularly during a recession. Learn to live without using your credit cards, as this is one of the most expensive and dangerous forms of debt.

Getting good financial help and planning through a recession is not as difficult as it might seem. Make sure you are saving your money, and limit your credit spending. Soon you will see the economy swing back toward the positive side, as it always does.

The goal of SingleMomFinancialHelp.com is to help women change the world through information and education. We are creating a support structure through which all women of the world can educate one another about where they have been, where they are right now and where they are going. With help from our site and the information and articles we distribute women will be more educated in finance, business, home matters, relationships, career and higher education.

Being a single mom and still providing for yourself or your children can be a very stressful and frustrating experience. There are many problems in finances for single moms and loans for single moms but getting help isn’t always easy so there are some services you should be aware of.

Education loans can be very tough to pay back, should you have debts remaining on your student loans. This may force many moms to consolidate their payments, which will put them into debt for 10-30 years, but allow them to keep out of bankruptcy longer. If you have children who wish to obtain student loans, and you are a single mother, it is harder to get such loans for a few reasons. First, women usually make less money than men. If you are a single mom, you don’t have a partner’s help with income, and also learn less than a man would. You are also less likely to have enough collateral to prove that you can pay the loans back, and you are more likely to have previous debts to pay. Education loans and single moms obviously do not mix well together, as you can see.

Like education loans, automobile and home loans operate in the same manner. You are more likely to be rejected for a house rather than an apartment, since houses on average cost much more. Automobiles also put single moms at a disadvantage- since automobiles often break down, requiring more money be spent. This makes the odds that a single mother can pay back a loan less likely, as maintenance can eat up much of a single mother’s income.

Business loans are another subject that may cause single mothers to have trouble obtaining loans. This is increasingly harder than other loans, since businesses are extremely risky operations. The odds of maintaining a successful business is usually quite low for small business owners. Having sufficient collateral is again a problem with single mothers, forcing many to not get the needed business loans to start their own business. Single mothers usually have a lower credit score, since they incur more debts than other couples or single men on average. This will also lead to a lesser chance of getting approved by credit card companies, making the buying power of single mothers even more burdensome.

However, there are ways to influence or take advantage of situations in favor of single mothers. You may speak with the Department of Social Services for things such as welfare, food stamps, child support, medical programs, and child care assistance. These programs can be found in phone books, government agencies or on this website. There is a lot of paperwork to apply, and the waiting time can be very long. The wait is often worth it, since single moms need all the help they can get.

School lunch and breakfast programs should be taken advantage of. This is a federal program that gives reduced prices or even free lunches and breakfast to kids who attend school, and eat at the school. Other grants can help you in funding for food or even gas and heating bills. Churches often have programs to help as well, and you should explore all of these options for a better life for children a single mom may have. Reduced prescriptions and free counseling are also available to those who apply- so make sure you take advantage of such offers to the fullest.

When looking to improve your credit score, you should have family members or roommates split bills, and put some bills in your name. This will improve your dependability and credit rating. Also make sure that you stay away from penalties such as bounced checks, which can effectively ruin your credit. Doing this will eventually raise your credit score enough to gain some respect among loan specialists, which can bring you to a new step above where you previously were.

When you have better access to loans, you can get lower rates. You can better obtain a business loan, for example, with your improved credit rating. You may also co-sign loans with family members to add credit to your score- and regular payments will again boost it. In case you can not make a payment, the money is then billed to your family member- so either way the bank will most likely get its money. This is the best way to obtain a loan if you are not qualified enough, and doing so is one of the best ways to improve your credit.

Over all, single moms are at a disadvantage. Statistically, they will make less money and not qualify for loans. They will also have more poor living experiences, and will have less buying power. Following the previous steps will allow single moms to achieve a better way of life for them or their children, regardless of their standing in society’s hierarchy.

The goal of SingleMomFinancialHelp.com is to help women change the world through information and education. We are creating a support structure through which all women of the world can educate one another about where they have been, where they are right now and where they are going. With help from our site and the information and articles we distribute women will be more educated in finance, business, home matters, relationships, career and higher education.

Here are three great tips for single moms in need of some financial help. I use these financial tips to help cut costs where needed. Instead of going to the store to buy products you need. I explain in the tips below how to use household items to do the same thing. This way you can save money and reduce, reuse and recycle all at the same time. I wrote these tips for single moms but they will work with anyone.

Kitchen Tip: Are you a coffee drinker? Here is a great tip to use up those used coffee grinds. If you have a bad odor coming from your refrigerator; place your used coffee grinds in an open container inside the fridge and you will find that this will eliminate odor better than baking soda! You will just need to remember to replace them once they have dried up.

Laundry Tip: It’s true what your mother told you. When washing your clothes if you turn them inside out you will avoid the extra fading caused by the agitation of the washer. Clothes get just as clean when doing this, so why not give it a try!

Pet Tip: Company is coming over and you have cat hair all over your furniture. Here is a great way to remove most of that embarrassing eye catcher. Wear a pair of latex gloves, wipe over your furniture in one direction and you will see a majority of it ball up for easy removal.

There are many other great tips like this all around. If you just keep your eyes and mind open you will start to see more and more of them every day.

Denise Bergeron

The goal of SingleMomFinancialHelp.com is to help women change the world through information and education. We are creating a support structure through which all women of the world can educate one another about where they have been, where they are right now and where they are going. With help from our site and the information and articles we distribute women will be more educated in finance, business, home matters, relationships, career and higher education.