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Single Mom Money Savers
Making Ends Meet Without Feeling Deprived
By Shannon McKelden
"The best way to save is through an automatic deduction from your bank account every month," says Allyson Lewis, a certified financial planner practitioner from Jonesboro, Ark. "Even if you can only save $10 per paycheck, do what you can."
Something else Thompson did, aside from cutting corners, was to buy a Gerber life insurance policy for her son. "They are not expensive and are designed so the child can borrow against them for college," she says.
Several moms suggested using the library for videos and DVDs instead of renting them. "[Libraries] advertise free events for kids and summer reading programs where kids can earn gift certificates to local zoos as well as restaurants," says Toni Salinas of Puyallup, Wash., former single mom of two small boys. She also recommends checking museums for "free days."
"If you are in a town with a university, look at their calendar of events to see what free programs they offer," suggests Lewis.
Searching the Internet with the terms "events calendar," "children" and the name of the area in which you live turns up dozens of ideas for free or low-cost things to do. Alternatively, sites like GoCityKids allow you to search by type of entertainment as well as your child's age to find just the kind of activity you're looking for.
"Money is like everything else we struggle with – weight, getting in shape, being organized and spending enough time with our children," says Lewis. "Getting control over your money is all about choices."
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