Solo Mother

Day six of underemployment. Thrifty ideas for single mothers

by christina on December 11th, 2006

I’m not going to panic. I’m not going to get obsessed by the fact that I haven’t got an assignment for this week, and the magic 8 ball is saying ‘outlook not so good’. If you’re like me, you’re looking for ways to make your budget stretch this holiday season. Let me count the ways…

• Soup. Soup is inexpensive, easy to make, healthy, and comforting. We always have a big pot of soup in the fridge, or frozen into heat and serve portions. Some of our favorites are actually sneaky ways to get more vegetables in our diets. Add a grilled cheese sandwich or a nice hunk of bread and butter, and you’ve got a rich, satisfying meal that didn’t break your bank.
• Walk. Combine excersise and fuel economy. Bundle up if it’s cold where you live right now, and get outside. You’d be surprised how far two feet and a grocery cart will take you.
• Wear it again. Does it really need to be washed, or is it easier to throw it in the hamper than it is to hang it in the closet? You’d be surprised how much laundry we do without needing to. Do you dry clean your suits after one wear? I don’t know anyone who does. So unless you’re baking your Christmas cookies, doing yard work, or otherwise getting filthy, think about it before you throw your clothes in the dirty clothes pile.
• Home made gifts. Christmas really shouldn’t be about getting. It’s not really even about giving. What you remember best about the holidays are the times spent together, not the loot. I usually make Christmas ornaments for friends and family every year. You can use anything: salt dough, air dried clay rolled and cut with cookie cutters, fabric, wood, acorns, you name it. Yes. I said acorns. One year, my mother and I painted silly little faces on acorns that still had their hats, glued a bead and some ribbon to their tops, and voila! Ornaments. I’ll do a separate post for handmade ornament ideas. Do you knit? Scrapbook? Encourage your kids to make something special for their family. Some of my art and craft is still proudly displayed in my family’s homes.
• Swap. Got a day off? Take a friend’s kids to the park, and then drop yours off on another day. Saves on daycare/babysitting. Join a babysitting co-op and trade time with other families, not money.
• Free stuff. I am fortunate to live in a city where the majority of the museums are free to all; but I would hope there might be some free events around your home town, too, especially with the festivities this month. Scout your local newspaper for good ideas.

props and thanks to Orbitcast.com for the image of the 8 Ball.

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