Money Recommendations To Buy A Home As A Single Parent

Single parenting is challenging, specifically when it comes to managing finances. You may struggle to pay the bills and stay afloat with a single income. Even moms getting alimony and child support may encounter financial glitches more than once. But buying a home can save you a lot of trouble by bringing stability and curbing the stress of a rental lifestyle. You need not worry about the ever-rising rental trends or lease deadlines. Moreover, a home is a long-term investment that secures your family. But you must have a robust financial plan to make a massive real estate purchase. Let us share a few valuable money recommendations for buying a home as a single parent. 

Figure out your finances

The first step is to figure out your finances as a single parent. Pay attention to details like your monthly income, expenses, and savings. Your savings are perhaps the most significant number because they help you decide the amount you can afford for a down payment for your home. Likewise, check your income, whether you have a full-time job, a business, or alimony and child support. It helps you determine the amount you can pay for the monthly mortgage. Remember to consider changes in income and expenses to plan for the long haul. You can rely on these calculations to decode a comfortable budget for home buying.

Estimate the cost of home buying

Home buying is more than the upfront price of the property. Single parents often do their math wrong and end up with a deal that burns a hole in their wallets. You must understand the extra elements of the purchase to estimate a realistic cost and prepare your finances accordingly. Typically, these include realtors’ commissions, property taxes, title fees, and moving expenses. You may also want renovation or customization for the house, which can add a significant amount to your home’s cost. 

Sort out your credit

Credit scores are an integral part of the home-buying process, and they are even more crucial for single parents. You must have a clean track record and a healthy credit score to procure a loan at an optimal interest rate. Lenders may already have some qualms about financing single parents. But a good credit score can make a difference, so check it before embarking on a buying spree. In fact, you must embrace habits like avoiding unnecessary expenses and paying your bills on time to maintain a healthy score.

Find an ideal home loan

Finding an ideal home loan is as crucial as searching for a dream home. You must go the extra mile to shop and compare home loan rates as a single mom and dad. The extra effort can get you a loan at a lower interest rate. Moreover, you can look for favorable terms and conditions. It is worthwhile because even a marginal difference in loan rates helps you save a hefty sum in the long run. The best part is that comparing loans is easy, as you can find a reliable website that lets you do it in a few clicks. 

Create a checklist

Another money recommendation that single parents can follow while buying a home is to create a checklist of things they need in a house. It enables you to shortlist properties within your budget and expectations without much hard work. For example, you can look for a home with child-proof features if you have little ones. Features like a school or daycare nearby, proximity to shopping malls, and an outdoor play area are ideal for young families. Also, check the location because you will surely want the house to be in a safe neighborhood. 

Think long-term

Money-savvy home buyers think long-term when it comes to real estate ROI. Single parents must dig even deeper to understand the potential of their investment. Consider the demand and pricing trend in the local market to learn about the rental and resale potential of the property. You may want to downsize once the kids leave for college, so the resale value is a crucial factor. Buying a big house makes sense if you can afford one because you can sell it at a premium. Moreover, it will be a great option when your kids plan to live together as one big family.

Buying a house as a single parent need not be as tricky as it sounds. A little financial planning and wise choices can help you make it a breeze. Follow these tips to buy a perfect place for raising your kids. 

 

Our Summer Bucket List

Summer is here and we are in full vacation mode! Having the kids and my husband home for 3 months leaves us a lot of time for fun and games; adventures and experiences and making a lot of memories!

This year we have a bucket list that involves something for all 4 of us! I can't wait to share these summer goals with you and hear what your family is going to get into this summer!

1) Camping

We took our first family camping trip last year. Somehow we had never done this with the kids, despite the reality that Adam and I were camping a ton before they were born. We are going to spend a few nights in the woods of the Hocking Hills, and a few nights by the Mohican River in Loudonville Ohio. We knew camping was a great goal because we can take our dog along with us, and he LOVES to go along on an adventure anytime!

2) Speaking of Dogs

We recently lost one of our dogs after an very brief illness. While the pain is still fresh, my heart won't allow me to stop loving dogs. Before the end of the summer we are going to adopt a shelter dog in honor of our beloved Fritzy. We couldn't save him, but in his memory we can give a dog another chance at a happy life with a loving family.

3) Make Life Better

My husband and I are going to donate blood together, to save a few lives and set a good example to our kids about ways you can make a difference in your community. My husband will volunteer at the food bank and the kids and I will be out picking up trash in our neighborhood when we walk our dog. We are also collecting purses, socks and puzzles to donate to an assisted living facility. When life is better for the people in our community, life feels better in our own home.

4) Go to the Casino Without the Kids

We need a night out, just the two of us, and I feel lucky! Adam and I think getting dressed up, going out to dinner and playing some slot machines sounds like a perfect kid free way to reconnect with each other! If you could use a date night without the kids check out https://www.spinit.com/en-eu/online-slots to get your game on!

5) Get Wet

Lake Erie is just a short drive away, and a couple of days on the lake would erase all tension and stress that adult life often has as. My son and I have always loved taking short trips to Kelley's Island and this year we are going to take the rest of the family along on our adventure. 

What is on your bucket list this year? I would love to hear about your summer adventures and plans in a comment! 

4 Ways You Can Save When Moving To Your New House

Moving into your new house is both exciting and stressful process. It can be a costly process as well,
which should make you consider cost savings as well. Moving into a new apartment, office or a house
can indeed be expensive, therefore you need to watch yourself. You might have already spent your life
savings on a new place and you would not want your bank account to bleed more than necessary.
There is no doubt that the process of moving house can be tiring as well, but allow us to share some
tips to save up some money while moving.

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1. Planning

The first most important thing for you to do is plan. Planning your every move is not only going to give
you a clear direction but also organize everything and bring it within the budget. Considering all
expenses, costs and fees including that of removal companies will not leave you with a surprise at the
end of the day. The best way to ensure such things is to make a checklist. A checklist will remind you of
anything that is being forgotten or missing. After you have made sure, you can simply cancel out the item

or task on the list.

2. Think About What You Really Need

Thinking about what you really need is going to help you a lot with the moving process and also in saving
costs. Instead of thinking on the day of moving, think at least a month before about what you want to
keep and what you want to move. Furniture in this case needs to be considered carefully as you would
not want to end up realizing that the furniture does not fit in your new place. If you want to relieve
yourself off some furniture, the best option will be to put it on sale. Consider rent trends in Houston when

budgeting.

3. Search Sites for Deals

If you need movers, painters and house cleaners etc. you can sign up for emails that will inform you of
daily deals. In some cases, if your luck is working, you might end up getting a 50% discount. Before you
proceed with finalizing a deal, scour the internet to find reviews about the company. If you happen to
overlook that, expect some unprofessionalism and rescheduling at the last minute.

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4. Move Some Things by Yourself 

Moving companies will charge you based on how much furniture you have. If possible, try moving
some things by yourself to lower the quote. You can also ask a relative and a friend to refer some
company they have used and that way you can end up with a discount as well. In addition to that, you
will have to make sure that the company has insurance. You will also have to be careful about what
type of insurance is covered, as in many cases, insurance will cover only a certain value. Things that are smaller in size and fragile such as lamps, pictures and crockery can be moved
easily by yourself so that you are less stressed about valuable and fragile things during the process.

The best advice for moving is to use the help of a cheap man with a van service. They charge less and

perform the moving quite swiftly. Wridgways international removalist is another great resource for how to move your belongings to your new house.

Busy Moms' Guide to Easy, Delicious Dinners

 Culinary success can be a daunting task for busy moms. With the chaos of everyday life, it's easy to forget about meal planning and preparation. But a tasty dinner doesn't have to take hours in the kitchen or require expensive ingredients. Here are some tips to help busy moms get delicious dinners on the table without breaking a sweat!

Via Pexels

Meal Plan:

Meal planning is essential for busy moms looking to save time and energy in the kitchen. Not only does it help organize meals ahead of time, but it can also help save money by avoiding multiple trips to the grocery store.

Meal planning doesn't have to be complicated or take a lot of time; even committing 10-15 minutes a week can make a big difference in how quickly dinner can be on the table. Moms can create a list of favorite meals and plan their weekly dinners around ingredients that are already in the pantry and fridge.

Planning ahead also helps keep food waste at bay and prevents last-minute decisions that often lead to unhealthy options. Also, meal planning allows moms to get creative with their cooking and explore new recipes without risking wasting precious ingredients if they don't turn out as expected.

Keep it Simple:

When it comes to dinner time, simple is always better. Eating a meal doesn't have to be an elaborate or complicated affair; some of the best dishes are made with just a few ingredients. For example, this easy recipe for instant pot chicken and rice requires only a few ingredients and is ready in just 30 minutes.

Simple meals can also be healthier; relying on fresh produce and wholesome ingredients often creates much more nutritious meals than ones that rely heavily on processed foods. Minimizing the number of ingredients in a dish also cuts down on costs since fewer groceries have to be purchased.

Easy dinners don't have to mean sacrificing flavor, either! There are plenty of ways to make basic dishes exciting, such as adding spices, herbs, marinades, or sauces to inject new flavors into familiar recipes. Combined with some simple sides such as roasted vegetables or a green salad, any busy mom can whip up a tasty dinner that her family will love!

Don't be Afraid of Frozen Food:

Frozen food gets a bad rap, but it can actually be a busy mom's best friend. Frozen food can be just as nutritious as fresh, and it often lasts much longer in the freezer. In fact, many frozen fruits and vegetables are flash-frozen at their peak of ripeness, meaning they maintain more nutrients than produce that has been sitting on a store shelf for days or weeks.

Frozen ingredients also take out all of the hassles of preparation; there's no need to chop or peel anything! This makes putting together dinner lightning quick; just dump some frozen veggies into a skillet, and dinner is good to go. For an even faster meal, look for pre-packaged frozen meals that can be heated up in minutes.

By following these tips, busy moms can whip up tasty dinners without spending hours in the kitchen. From meal planning to using frozen food, there are many ways to make dinner time simple and stress-free. With a little bit of planning and preparation, busy moms everywhere can enjoy delicious meals that are sure to please even the pickiest eaters!​

15+ Paper Plate Crafts for Kids

If you are looking for easy ways to keep the kids entertained on a cold winter day; this is the place for you! I have found some really fun paper plate craft ideas for kids that are perfect boredom busters! These are all fairly easy, and kids of all ages will have fun with these ideas! Be sure to click thru the links for the tutorials.

BB8 Paper Plate Craft by Attachment Mummy

This paper plate craft is perfect for Star Wars fans! It comes together with basic supplies and includes

a free printable template to make it easy for all skill levels.

Paper Plate Fruit Fans by Family Focus Blog

These fruity fans are the perfect way to beat the summer heat with a craft that kids of all ages can enjoy! 

Alien Spaceship Craft by Easy Crafts for Kids

This craft is so cute it is practically out of this world! It all starts with a little imagination and a paper plate.

Mermaid Twirlers by Red Ted Art

These cute little mermaid twirlers are nothing short of adorable and they are bound to make a splash

during craft time!

Yellow Submarine by Lil Tigers

This craft is so creative and gives kids an ocean view like they were diving in a submarine! 

Paper Plate Sunshine Craft by The Soccer Mom

This is the perfect craft for a rainy day! It is bright, colorful and spreads cheer to all who see it!

Space Themed Plates by Glitter on a Dime

Kids who love outer space will be over the moon for this easy paper plate craft that proves that the sky's

the limit to their creativity!

Rainbow Fish Craft by Two Pink Peonies

Pair storytime with a colorful and engaging craft! This rainbow fish craft is perfect for preschoolers!

Paper Plate Woven Bowls by Craftsy Hacksy

This introduction to weaving makes for a great paper plate craft! This is a great craft to make and share

with someone special!

Paper Plate Monkey by Mom Wife Busy Life

This paper plate craft is so cute you might go bananas for it! Kids of all ages will love to make their own

monkeys!

Rainbow Mickey Mouse Craft by Grace Giggles and Naptime

This Mickey Mouse craft is so colorful and cute! Kids are sure to be all cheers for this craft with Mickey

Ears!

Paper Plate Snakes by Mom Brite

This cute and easy craft will slither into your heart! Kids will love making these paper plate snakes!

Paper Plate Animal Masks by Crafts for Toddlers

These masks are so much fun for little kids! They can make a craft then engage in dramatic play for a

really great afternoon!

Snow Globes by Ottawa Mommy Club

These are perfect for kids! A snow globe they can handle with no feat of breaking it, and they are adorable

too!

Eric Carle Inspired Cats by Moms Who Save

This is a visually stunning craft that is perfectly paired with an Eric Carle story! Save this idea for a rainy

day activity for kids of all ages.

You can find more fun paper plate crafts here:

Paper Plate Lions

Paper Plate Witch

Paper Plate Crowns

How We Afford the Holidays Without Credit Card Debit

When I talk to my friends and family about the holidays, the subject of budgeting and credit card debit comes up. No one can ever believe me when I tell them we accumulate $0 credit card debit for holidays and I never spend more than $50 on gifts.

I have had people say things like "That is a flat out lie Sara. The gift you gave us last year cost at least $30!"
They always want to know how I can decorate, gift and give without spending more than $50 out of my own pocket. Today I am going to share the low down with you too.

First, being a family that lives on a budget, events such as back to school, Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and birthdays are always on my mind! Creative ways to accumulate funds or gifts is a year round project.

I do a variety of things online to add to my kitty.

If I see a great item on clearance I will buy it, but only if I have the extra cash on hand. I don't buy on my debit card or credit card.

At the end of each season I buy the goods I need next year on clearance. I use my stash of gift cards to do this. I buy wrapping paper when it is down to 50 cents a roll or less. Instead of going out and buying decorations, I usually make my own using items that I already have at home. For example, I use Christmas ribbon to decorate not only the tree, but to also add finishing touches to garlands, wreaths, and wrapped gifts. Same with bows, gift tags, bags  etc. Seasonal trinkets are also great to get when they get marked down to 80-90% off. I get stocking stuffers for 20 cents and stash them for the next year. Or I might buy Easter coloring books for 10 cents and stash them too.

Inbox Dollars I spend about 25 minutes a week reading emails, playing games, watching videos and more. I have cashed out several times. It is pretty easy money and you get a $5 sign up just for joining!

I shop Zuilly. I shop here because it is easy to earn credits and they have such super deals. I get really low priced deals here through out the year and add to my "Gift Box".

I use the WalMart Savings Catcher App. I scan each receipt I get from WalMart and accumulate savings on products. I wait to 'cash out' until there is something I need to buy for a holiday.

I have the Shutterfly app, so I watch out for special offers, free prints and more. Photo gifts are always a hit. If you are not using Shutterfly sign up here for FREE Prints!!

I of course watch amazon for deals. I save money on everything! I do tasks on m turk to earn money too. I don't have much time for this, but I would estimate I spend about 30 minutes a week turking and making some spare change on easy tasks.

As a blogger, if I participate in a campaign that pays via a gift card, I save it.

That is how I can afford to celebrate all of the major holidays without dipping into our budget for any extra expenses. I limit us to about $50 for last minute things like batteries.

 How does your family afford the holidays?

Know Your Mattress to Get What Suits You Best

Know Your Mattress to Get What Suits You Best 

It is necessary to get good quality sleep of 7-8 hours for healthy functioning of mind and body. You simply cannot compromise with your sleep, as even a minor deprivation could have a serious impact on your health. The quality of your sleep depends on the type, material, and comfort of your mattress and bed. It is good to invest some time in knowing about the mattress and money so that you could get good sleep.   

Your sleep is very important, so don’t compromise with quality just to save the few dollars. It is simple math.

Signs to Change Your Matters 

If you notice the factors mentioned below, it is time to change your mattress. 

Stiffness and tiredness in the morning. 

Do other beds give you more comfort compared to own bed? 

Is there springs, lumps, or sagging in your mattress. 

Is your mobility on the mattress is restricted to one area or you find a particular place more comfortable than the other. 

Mattress started making sounds 

If you notice any of the above, it means it is time for you to go for a change and search top-rated mattresses 2019. Before you reach your decision to buy a suitable mattress for your beautiful wooden bed, spend some time to know about the type of mattress so that you could get better. 

Different Tуре of Mattresses

It is very natural to get confused by the sheer number of options, not just of quality, but material, brands, technology and most importantly the price. Let us understand the type of mattresses and its pros and cons.

  

Spring Mаttrеѕѕ

It is the most common and popular mattresses. As the name suggests, this mattress is all about the use of a different type of steel springs in the making of a single or multilayer structure to support the body. The cost of spring mattress varies depending on the coil type, layer of coils, coil units and several coils. If your goal is to get maximum comfort, you should look for more coils. 

Among all types of mattresses, this is the least expensive. 

Pocket Sрrіng Mаttrеѕѕ

If you are for an alternative of a spring mattress, then pocket spring mattress could be the best choice in a reasonable price range. Since the coils are housed in individual pockets and stay connected it gives better stability and adjustments. Different type of springs is used in different areas to make it more responsive to body weight. You can get the pocket mattress in all price ranges. It has an average lifespan of 6-8 years.  

Memory Foam Mattress

This mattress is known for its amazing comforts as it supports all types of body and sleep style. The firm foundation of роlуurеthаnе foam with multiple layers of visco-elastic foam gives the body more stability. Since there isn’t any room so there is less scope of allergic substance and dust mites. It is stable so you get better sleep without bouncy disturbances. It distributes body weight evenly, making it good for back and spine. Well, it is a little expensive as compared to spring options, but it has an almost double life span in the range of 10-12 years. This is a perfect fit for your beautiful wooden beds.   

Hуbrіd Mаttrеѕѕ

As the name suggests, it is made of several materials, including memory, latex, and othеr роlуurеthаnе fоаmѕ and pocket соіlѕ. The comfortable memory foam is placed on top of the foundation of росkеt ѕрrіng. This makes it best suited to give you the traditional bouncy feeling along with better stability. It is less expensive than memory foam mattresses with 8-10 year of life. 

Lаtеx Mаttrеѕѕ

If you are looking for a natural eco-friendly substitute of memory foam, then lаtеx fоаm mattress is the thing you could try. It is the most expensive among all the mattresses, but if you consider the durability and comfort, then it is a smart buy.  

If you want to buy wooden beds at the urban ladder, do inquire about combo mattress offers. You can save a good amount of money on your mattress. Keep sleep on priority, as any compromise could have a serious effect on your health. Eat healthily and sleep freely!