How many coins do you think you have lying around? This would include the coins at the bottom of the basket that you use to organize the odds and ends that accumulate in every room. Don’t forget the loose change that ends up between the furniture cushions when they escape from pockets. Vehicles are another area where scattered coins can be found.

The single mom’s purse can often be a source of a surprising amount of spare change. Get a weight off your shoulders by cleaning out your bag and rescuing all those pennies, dimes and nickels. Instead of getting a free ride, they can be put to work for you and strengthen your financial plan.

If you’re looking for a way to grow your savings account and can’t see any progress from the deposits you are sporadically adding to it, give the account balance a boost by gathering up that spare change and adding it to your fund.

Roll or Stay Loose?

Rolled coins may have different rules than loose change, and there may be a limit to the amount that they are willing to process for a single transaction.  Before you and your family start lugging in those weighty bags of money, call ahead and find out what the coin exchange policy is.

If you decide to roll your change, call on your kids to help you sort it. Then, just count out the amount of coins the individual wrapper holds and stack it up. You don’t have to count again, just make more matching stacks.

The paper coin wrappers can be found in most department or office supply stores, and they are inexpensive.

If you decide you don’t want to take the time to sort through all of those coins, you can’t opt to just put them in a container and take them in for exchange. It may save you time, but can cost you money.

• Financial Institutions

Some places charge a fee to sort and tally up the change, even banks. Make sure that if you take your change to your local bank you know the policy. Even if you are a customer of the financial institution and want to deposit the coins into your checking or savings account, some banks will charge a percentage for handling the coins. The guidelines differ from bank to bank, and sometimes from branch to branch of a single financial institution.

• Coin Exchange Machines

Be on the lookout for machines that will sort and count your coins for you. They are usually placed near the main entrances of businesses, in clear site of the checkout or customer service. All you have to do is dump your coins in the hopper and the machine will tally them up and spit out a receipt that you will take to the service counter for cash.

Some of the coin exchanges have no fees involved at all. Some business owners recognize that coin exchange is a service that people use often. In tough financial times they use them even more. They recognize that a convenient coin exchange opportunity will bring people into their establishment and by offering this free service they may attract new customers.

Other coin exchange machines have a handling fee involved. While the fees vary, some machines charge up to 9% of the transaction and the amount will automatically be deducted before the voucher is printed. Read the rules before you dump the contents of that piggy bank in.

What are you saving for? Do you have one account that will cover the kids’ college, possibly a vacation and probably any financial crisis that happens along the way? Do you plan on using the balance for your retirement, or is it a shorter term goal like saving enough for a down payment to buy a house.

The one positive thing is that you are saving money. Everyone needs an emergency fund. A problem may arise if you put all your savings into one account. You can only spend the money once, so if you dip into it to many times it will quickly dwindle and the balance for the long term expenses will be gone.

Open separate accounts for each goal. It’s really easy to feel you finally have enough to take your family on a nice vacation if the balance in a single savings account is enough to cover the great deal on a vacation spot you’ve always wanted to visit. Your first thought might be that this is what you’ve been saving for. In reality, it’s not. It’s only one of the things you have been saving for, but you’ve spent the money you’ve set aside for the college fund and to cover emergencies.

When planning your savings, make a list of your future goals, and then make regular deposits for each fund. Be realistic when you budget the amounts that you will deposit into each account on payday. Consistent deposits of small amounts of money will add up eventually. Once you get into the habit of skipping a savings deposit because there isn’t enough money, it will be hard to get back into the regular savings routine.

Use automatic deposits into the savings account when possible so that money is regularly set aside. Check with the payroll department at work to see if they are able to direct your paycheck directly into several accounts. If this isn’t possible where you work, check with your bank and have the money transferred from your checking account to savings accounts automatically.

Don’t feel that you have to make a deposit to each account every time you get paid. A small amount deposited every month will keep your accounts growing.

If you are lucky and your emergency fund account reaches a point where it can cover your expenses for six months, you can adjust the amount you regularly deposit and use it to bulk up other savings accounts.

With a savings account for each goal, you can use your savings on that long anticipated vacation because you know that that’s exactly why you’ve set the funds aside. You and your family can relax and have fun knowing you still have an intact emergency fund.

A single mom can do anything! Including, doing your own car maintenance. Doing your own maintenance can save money in the long run, and it gives you the added bonus of knowing your car even better – so when there is a problem, you will know it long before the engine gives out on you. But when you open the hood, what you see might be intimidating. Look at all the gadgets and wires and parts! Before you give up and take it downtown for that oil change, read on.

Maintaining your car doesn’t involve doing everything a mechanic does. Instead, maintenance means taking care of the things that keep your vehicle running smoothly. Things like changing the oil, topping off the washer fluid, or replacing the fuses are simple things that anyone can do with a little knowledge and patience.

Start with your owner’s manual. If you don’t have one, go to your local auto parts store and ask if they can help you find it. You can also search online and can often download the owner’s manual in PDF format from the manufacturer. Read through it, preferably while you are sitting in the driveway with your car, so you can identify all the parts the manual mentions. Many manuals will tell you exactly how to change the oil, what kind of oil to use, and what to look for that could indicate a problem. Owner’s manuals are your best friend and will definitely help you save money on your car repairs!

Always use the proper fluids in your vehicle. Brake fluid, power steering fluid, and even window-washer fluid are often specifically designed for your make and model of car. Not only should you make certain to have the proper fluids, make sure to put them in the proper places! Take the time to get to know your car and where every reservoir is, so you can find what you need, even in the middle of the night when you only have a flashlight as your guide.

You can change your own air filters, your own battery, and many other things on the car, perhaps even the spark plugs! If you’re not sure about doing it the first time, take it to a shop and hang around to watch what they’re doing. Explain that you’re a single mother who might not be able to afford to do this again, and the mechanic is bound to start teaching you several things. Learn as much as you can.

Finally, a single mom isn’t afraid of anything, so don’t be afraid of your car! It might seem daunting, but it’s really only a collection of parts, put together a certain way, and it needs certain fluids to keep going. Over time, you will understand that vehicle, save money, and you’ll be proud of yourself for doing your own maintenance!

Everyone is looking for ways to save money on their groceries. After all, with more and more of our budgets going in the gas tank, less and less is left over to pay for food, while the cost of groceries continues to increase. One way to save money is to use printable online coupons whenever possible.

Now, before you start arguing that it is too time consuming to use coupons, you should know that there are new options for you to consider. For instance, you can now printable online coupons, so you do not have to worry about clipping them from the paper. However, to make the most out of coupons, here is what you need to do.

First, when you get coupons, sort them immediately. If you see coupons for items you absolutely never buy, throw them out. There is no reason to hang on to them.

Next, create a simple and quick organization system. A large box with file tab cards would work. Sort your coupons by category, because when you are ready to go shopping you do not want to be digging through a huge pile of coupons. Make the categories something easy for you, such as dairy, household products, meat, or whatever other categories come to mind.

Clip the coupons you anticipate using, and put them into their appropriate categories. However, as you are clipping coupons, try to look for those that have a big discount. Remember, saving just 10 cents or so is not worth your time. You are busy as a single mom, after all.

Next, see if you can find stores that double their coupons. This is a great way to instantly increase your savings. Many grocery stores have a policy that allows you to get double value for coupons up to a certain face value. Some have this offer all of the time, while others will offer double or triple coupons once in a while.

Finally, try to match coupons to sale items. If you notice that a particular brand of sandwich baggies is on sale, and you have a coupon for that item, use it while they are on sale. This is the best way to maximize your savings!

Finally, go through your coupon box once a month to discard any expired coupons. This will help you un-clutter your box, making it easier to find the coupons you need when you make your next grocery list. Remember, you can save quite a bit if you use your coupons strategically, and all it takes is a little bit of time to clip and store them!

As a single mom you’ve been searching everywhere for tips on how to save money. By now you have plenty of tips on how to save money, and you might have already started counting those pennies and stockpiling that extra cash. But if you still need a little push in the right savings direction, these additional tips will help. Remember: Start out with one or two of them, get comfortable with the way it feels, and then strive to do more. Saving money can be a major lifestyle change, and as with any big change, it takes time to grow accustomed to it.

• Get inspired! Wander around the web and find instances of families cutting corners, saving pennies, and making a savings out of what seems to be nothing. Look for sites that offer cheap recipes, homemade solutions, and inspirational tidbits to start counting your dimes!
• Team up with friends. Don’t hit that bistro for lunch and then worry about the prices. Pack sack lunches and go on a bike ride instead. Plan on a leisurely walk around the neighborhood, and don’t bring along the checkbook — there’s too much temptation afoot! When museums or zoos have freebie days, get together with your kids and take them. Have a blast for free and save the money you would have spent.
• Use direct deposit. Out of sight, out of mind. Have a small amount of cash taken out of your paycheck and sent to your savings account before the money ever touches your hand. That way, you know you will be saving money, and you will work with what you have.
• Rid your home of temptation. Magazines, shopping on the television or the internet, and other money-grabbers have to go. Throw the magazines in the trash, block the television channels that try to sell you something, and avoid sites on the internet that suck your time and money.
• Got a raise? An extra check here or there? Save it. The smallest amounts really do add up over time. That five dollar rebate check or that tiny refund you weren’t expecting will look nice in your savings account.
• Actually get that savings account. Many people will decide that getting a savings account is a hassle, or they worry about bad credit, and so avoid the savings account altogether. But this makes it very easy to spend the money you do save. If you absolutely cannot open up a savings account, spring for a safe deposit box or some other option that will keep the money safe, but out of your immediate reach. This will alleviate those tempting “gotta have it now” moments of impulsive purchasing.

Single moms often have to deal with financial hardships. Sometimes you might see that gorgeous dress or that perfect item you know your kids need, but you simply can’t afford the price on the tag. That’s when you make a decision: Do you walk away from it? Or do you learn to haggle the price?

Not everyone feels comfortable with haggling the price. But everything is for sale, as the old saying goes, and everything does have its price — but does it have to be that high? You might be surprised at what you can haggle down. It’s expected at yard sales and flea markets, and you might be good at doing it there, so why not expand your creativity to include things you might not expect?

Here are a few tips to help single moms get started:

Shop around. Don’t jump at the first thing you see, no matter how badly you want it right then. Go home and look online. See if you can find anything similar to the item on eBay or other online stores. A single mom is the best at looking for discounts and coupons, so make sure to find them. You might find something much cheaper than you expected.

If you do find something similar but it costs about the same, then you have room to haggle. Go back to the first place and tell them where you found it – can they offer a discount to earn your business? You might be surprised at how well that works, especially with clothing stores in competition with each other.

Stay true to your word. If you offered them your business for a discount and then you get it, go back and patronize that store as often as you can. The more they see you, the more they will realize your loyalty, and the better your chances of haggling something down in the future.

Comparison shop. If you need to have something done to your home, for instance, talk to the professionals and get quotes. The more quotes you get, the more likely you can haggle the price down. Call your first choice and tell them how much lower their competition bid — can they match the price?

Pay cash. Always pay cash when you haggle the price down, and be prepared to pay it right then. When a seller sees cash in your hand, they are much more likely to bring the price down, because they know you are serious — and they will get their money right away instead of waiting for your bank or credit card company to come through.

How many times have you heard about the need for an emergency fund? It’s been mentioned several times on this blog, and you’ve probably heard a snippet of the same advice from every financial guru you have ever seen on television. It’s a fact that a savings account is a necessity for a rainy day — but how can you start one if you are living paycheck-to-paycheck?

When there is not enough money to go around, having a savings account is important. When you find yourself in a financial bind, sometimes you just can’t wait until that next paycheck — and then you find yourself dealing with a loan shark that charges impossible interest, or relying on the kindness of family and friends.

So start saving now, even if you think you can’t. Here are a few ways to put pennies into the bank until it adds up to a nice nest egg:

Compare before you decide. Are your kids dying to see that new movie? Compromise with a movie rental, and make your own popcorn at home. The cost of going to see a movie in a theater can run 40 or 50 dollars. The cost of a rental can be as little at 1.99, and the popcorn cost is about the same. You can save 30 bucks just by comparing your prices and making the wise choice. Then take that 30 dollars and put it in the bank!

Make your own. Do you normally go out to eat once a week? Put that money in a savings account instead and make a special meal at home. You can also purchase items at the store in bulk, and save more money in the long run. Choose to cook your meals at home from scratch and avoid convenience foods in order to save even more cash.

Ask for monetary gifts. When your birthday or Christmas rolls around, ask your friends and family to deposit money into your savings account instead of giving you a gift. Even if it’s five dollars, it eventually adds up, and they will be contributing to your peace of mind. As any single mom knows, that is a gift well spent!

Barter instead of buy. Join groups like Freecycle to give away or barter the things you no longer need. You can find furniture, books, kitchen necessities, and more if you take the time to look, and the money saved can go into the bank.

Count your change. Fifty cents here and there might not seem like much, but it does add up. Put your spare change into a jar and hide it away in the closet. When the jar is full, take it to the bank and let them count it for you. Then put the money into your account, and start keeping the jar all over again. You can accumulate a surprising amount of money this way.

Don’t give up! If it seems like you can’t put any money into the savings account, try to think of creative ways to make it work. You will soon have that emergency fund you need, and you will rest much easier at night, knowing that if something happens and you need the money, it’s right there waiting for you.

As a single mom, you have a lot of pressure on your shoulders. Not only do those precious little ones look to you for all their needs, there are plenty of other obligations. For those times when obligations turn into full-blown emergencies, you need a savings account to help you through the crisis. But why can’t you seem to save a single dime of your take-home pay?

Emotional spending undermines even the best financial plan. When you’ve had a bad day or you’re worried about what comes around the corner, plunking down your credit card for that gorgeous sweater is enough to make you feel better for a little while. Almost everyone has indulged in emotional spending at some point in their lives, and many people do it over and over again, trying to capture that rush of doing something sweet for themselves.

But if you want to save money, avoid writing those emotional checks! Here are a few tips to keep you on the straight and narrow:

Recognize when you feel like shopping – and ask yourself why. Do you really need those new pumps? What happened today to trigger this need to shop? Are you trying to cover up an emotional issue by letting your credit card do the talking?

Just because it’s “not much” doesn’t mean it’s a good idea. That great deal on clearance that you just have to have might be a great option – as long as you don’t have a dozen in your closet just like it already. Seeing things on clearance or on a major sale doesn’t give you a free lease to shop. When you look at your bank account later, you’ll cringe to see how quickly those few dollars here and there add up.

Choose your money limits wisely. Don’t tell yourself that you can’t buy anything at all – like going on a very strict diet, you’re setting yourself up for failure by denying yourself all the fun. Choose a certain dollar amount that you can spend each week or each month, and stick to it! You’ll think long and hard before you spend that money on something you really don’t need – but when you see that gorgeous dress at seventy-five percent off, you’ll know you can have it without guilt.

Avoid the temptations. Don’t go into stores with clearance signs plastered everywhere. Don’t carry a great deal of money in your wallet. Write out your monthly expenses and pay them first – before you do anything else with the cash. If you’re tempted to dip into your savings account, set it up with your bank so you have to actually go into the building and sign for the money. That will nip some temptations rather quickly!

It will be hard at first, but saving money can become your new obsession. Give it a shot and see how good it feels to have all that money in your bank account – it feels much better than having all those new fashions in the closet!

Almost everyone has a cell phone these days, and it’s hard to imagine what we all did before those handy little gadgets came along. Now we can stay connected at any time, and if we happen to be out of the house for some reason, the schools and daycare can reach us if there is an emergency – so a cell phone is a “must-have” accessory for single mothers.

But your cell phone bill can suck all the extra pennies out of your bank account if you aren’t careful. Here are some tips to bring down the cost of that cell phone bill:

Understand exactly what you need. Do you really require text messaging? Do you need a camera on your phone? Do you require internet access on your phone or can you do without it? Decide on what you need and how you use the options on your phone to help you choose the proper plan.

How many minutes do you need? Look at your cell phone history and pay attention to the minutes you actually used. How many did you pay for? Did you use all of them? Did your minutes roll over to the next month, or did you simply lose that extra money? If you don’t use all of your minutes, you’re in good shape. But if you have a significant amount of minutes that roll over every month, you can probably drop to a lower plan and save a few dollars. If you use a few minutes during one month but use many minutes during another, a roll over plan might be your best bet.

If the person you call the most is a family member, consider the family network plans. That allows you to call your family member’s cell phone for free, with unlimited talk time, but you have to pay for minutes to other people. These group plans work out very well if you have only a few people you call regularly, and adding a small package of extra minutes would cover those unexpected but necessary phone calls (for instance, a call to the doctor’s office or pharmacy), and it would all equal out to less than buying a big monthly package.

Another option is to forgo the traditional plans altogether and opt for “pay as you go” plans. These require no credit check, no deposits and no commitments. You simply buy the minutes as you go and when they are used up, you can buy more. If you are really watching your pennies and trying to limit your use as much as possible, this might be the best option for you.

Whatever your choice, be sure to look over your bill every month to make sure there are no hidden charges or unauthorized fees. A little bit of diligence goes a long way in saving on that cell phone bill!