Solutions to Single Mothers in Debt

As a single mother, lets admit it, times get tough. You are fortunate enough to have your children that mean the world to you, but it doesn't come cheap. Of course you'd do anything to keep them safe, even if that means struggling financially to support their well being. Debt can get out of hand fast and with only one income it's hard to pay monthly rent, mortgages, utilities, and food expenses on top of credit card bills. This leads to unwanted stress but can be prevented if you get help.

If your monthly debt payments, not including mortgage or rent, surpass 20% of your income, your debts are a serious problem and they need to be addressed as soon as possible.

Solutions for a Single Mother in Getting Out of Debt:

Do it Yourself Approach

If you feel you have little debt but are starting to get concerned about being able to pay it off, consider setting up on a budget if you don't have one already or reevaluate your current one. A budget is a way to view your personal cash flow, which is your money that comes in each month, and your money that goes out each month. You'll need to keep track of all your spending for one month to establish an accurate budget. Keep a record of your monthly income and all your monthly bills and other receipts even if you are paying with cash.

Once you see what you are spending, you should be able to cut back on certain items especially on impulse buys like candy bars or everyday items you don't think add up to a lot but do in the long run, like morning coffee at your favorite coffee shop. Make goals for your self to set aside a certain amount of money each month to put into a savings account or to put towards paying off other debt.

After you create a budget you can choose to eliminate your debt on your own by ripping up your credit cards, dealing with your creditors, and still making all your payments on time. However if you tend to be late on monthly payments it's recommended that you consider the next option for debt relief.

Credit Counseling and Debt Management Programs

If your debt is severe it's recommended that you get help and fast. This is where most people's embarrassments sets in and are afraid to get help. However credit counseling is a great option to help you eliminate your debt. You can find companies that do it for free, and all your information is kept confidential. A credit counselor will evaluate your current situation and then recommend the best solution for you.

A credit counselor may suggest a debt management program in which the counselor would work directly with your creditors as well as provide you with additional education, guidance, and motivation to make sure you get through the plan and pay off your debt. This simply includes sending a single payment each month to the agency, which is then dispersed to the creditors that you owe money to.

Debt Consolidation

Another debt relief solution is debt consolidation, where existing debts and mortgage payment are compiled into one. You would take out a loan, often times using your home as collateral. Most mortgage-backed consolidations pay the creditor direct to ensure pay off. However if you fall behind you put losing your house at a serious risk.

Bankruptcy

An absolute last resort and not recommended for everyone is filing for bankruptcy. With the new bankruptcy legislation you may want to review it's recent changes and restrictions before considering declaring bankruptcy. Bankruptcy is a court action that can absolve part of an individual's debt.

However, it comes with a high price. Bankruptcy can destroy credit worthiness up to 10 years after the discharge rate and it can even restrict you from certain types of employment.

Kelly K specializes in advising young mums on grant and scholarships for single mothers and has long authored educational and support pieces for women and single mothers. Kelly is a contributing author and editor to a variety of international and domestic web sites, and free newsletters.

More Resources

Unable to open RSS Feed $XMLfilename with error HTTP ERROR: 404, exiting

More Debt Relief Information:

Related Articles

What You Should Know About Bankruptcy
Filing bankruptcy is not only a last resort legal action; it is also a very complicated legal action that definitely needs the expertise of a lawyer. When thinking about bankruptcy, you first need to decide if bankruptcy is right for you.
The Human Side - Debt Stress
In all the technical discussion you hear about credit card debt, the best ways to manage it and pay it off and all the rest, one thing goes largely ignored. Credit card debt is extremely stressful, and can have a very negative effect on your life, if you let it.
How to Get Money When You Are Broke
(Money You Don't Have to Pay Back) 1. One way to get money is to have a yard sale and sell itemsthat you are getting ready to toss away because you don't wantthem any longer.
Debt Settlement
What is debt settlement?Debt Settlement is a process to settle your debts with the creditors. With debt settlement, a third party or you yourself negotiate with your creditors to come up with a reduced debt that you agree to pay.
Turning Bad Debts into Good Debts through Investing Fundamentals
If you've ever earned enough money to put some aside, like most people you've probably invested it with an eye toward security - since, perhaps, you can't imagine yourself ever getting rich."Most people dream of becoming rich, but it isn't their first choice," Rich Dad said.
Secrets to Why Debt Reduction is So Vital for Your Financial Health
Living with debt is never a good idea if you want to make long-term financial plans. Every cent you use to service debt is money that could have been invested in your future.
The Bankruptcy Code Acknowledges the Validity of the Homestead Exemption
Many times the subject of bankruptcy seems baffling in its complexity. Actually the basic principals of bankruptcy are fairly simple even though the federal statuses on bankruptcy are extensive.
New Bankruptcy Law - Five Essential Things to Know
Last April, Congress passed the Bankruptcy Abuse and Consumer Protection Act, the most sweeping reform of our nation's bankruptcy laws in more than twenty-five years. Proponents of the bill argue that most consumers who file for bankruptcy do so simply because they do not wish to pay their bills.
Your Ticket Out of Debt Relief
If you are in debt over your head and wondering if you will ever find a way out, the answer is yes! Serious financial problems can make life miserable and cause a great deal of stress and worry. Many people have found themselves in the situation of avoiding calls from creditors and wondering how they will ever get out of debt.
Why You Should Get Out of Debt Today?
The main reason for getting out of debt today, is because people with little or not debt have more control over their future:1. They have more discretionary income, meaning that you won't be living pay check after pay check as you probably are right now.
Home Equity - Foreclosure Often Not Necessary in Current Market
While driving around your community, you may have seen signs posted on telephone poles that offer "foreclosure help." These seemingly generous offers to help financially troubled homeowners who are in danger of losing their homes to foreclosure are actually scams.
Bad Credit Home Loan To Get You Out Of Debt
A "bad credit home loan" can help you climb your way out of debt and get you started back on the road to upstanding, good credit. There are many lenders who are willing to make bad credit home loans to you - a loan based on your equity in your home even if your credit has slipped or isn't as perfect as it could be.
How to Deal with Bill Collectors
So you've screwed up. You're drowning in debt.
Repair Bad Credit Yourself
In March 2005, the U.S.
Going Bankrupt in the World
It all starts by defaulting on an obligation: Money owed to creditors or to suppliers is not paid on time, interest payments due on bank loans or on corporate bonds issued to the public are withheld. It may be a temporary problem - or a permanent one.
Free Quick and Easy Money Saving Tips - Part 2
Although many consumers would argue differently saving money doesn't have to be difficult. In fact by making just a few changes in your normal lifestyle you can find ways to free up extra cash that can be put to better use in a savings account or an investment account.
Ten Ways to Get Out of Debt
1) Use your AssetsIf you have assets with some significant equity, such as a home or a car you may be able to use these to get control of your debt. For example, you could get a loan on your home sufficient to pay off your debts.
Pay Off Your Student Loans and Reduce Your Debts
Financing a college education is one of the more expensive debts you may incur. Student loans can take years or even decades to pay off.
Debt Collectors: Men or Mice?
Who are these people anyway? They viciously harass you and call you bad names. They embarrass you beyond belief by leaving detailed messages with your neighbors and at your workplace.
Fast Track Out of Debt
You go to the mail box and scan - a couple fliers (nah), your magazine subscription (yes!) and bills (groan). Every month the bills show up and as you sigh and take out your check book you wonder if you will ever be free.