I'm a single mum to one child. There has never been a father involved. I don't get child support or anything so financially it's just me.
I'm worried about the future. Not only my financial situation when I retire. But what happens when my daughter becomes a teen and wants all the latest gadgets. Wants the latest iPhone or iPad, all the clothes others are wearing. I'm not sure I can afford it. I just bought my self a phone because I needed one for $220 and that was a push.
Is any one else in this position or what do you do to try and make your little ones happy.
Financially on my own
Financially on my own
Posted in:
Money
11 Replies
I'm a broke mum of teens too and quite frankly, they go without. They don't need all of that stuff and most kids understand that families are different, some kids have everything they want and more and other kids don't. She definitely won't be the only kid without the latest iPhone and expensive clothes. My daughter loves op shopping and my boys don't even care about brand names only the style of clothing. Phones were always Christmas presents but they are starting to buy their own now that they are working.
I have little ones and I afford it ok. When they're teens they'll work if they want more than I can afford. I'll be able to afford essentials, and Im saving as well and I studied to work a better paying job as I'm sure it will cost a small fortune in food, schooling and clothing and daily expenses, but at the end of the day all you can do is do your best to prepare and balance the budget you have to work with. You won't be the only one in the boat that's for sure. And there's no benefit to worrying too much over something so far away, so out of your control, and that you don't know will ever happen. You could well be partnered by then.
I worked more as my son hit the teenage years. But just because a teenager wants something doesn’t mean you should give it.
Somethings my saved for, got a newspaper round for, something’s I saved for, something’s he went without.
I’d only worry about the device your child will most likely need for school. But even then there are payment plans etc.
PS keeping enough food in the house was more of the issue, teenagers EAT. We could afford the food, but it felt like I never bought enough
My boys go without or they have to save to buy it themselves (I’ve budgeted for money to go into their accounts each fortnight). They know I will never buy them an iPhone. I can’t justify that amount of money for a phone for myself, so there is no way I’ll be buying one for either of my boys. They both have an iPad because they need it for school, but I had to save for several months to get them. A couple of years ago I showed one of my boys the fortnightly budget because he was complaining I wouldn’t buy something he wanted. I had it all set out, what comes in each fortnight, what bills and the amounts that get paid fortnightly, and the amount that is left over once everything is paid (or moved to a separate account if it couldn’t be paid fortnightly). I also explained what the leftover money would go towards.
I’ve been a single mum of two for ten years. No input from dad. My two both have braces, private schooling and look like they don’t go without but we do in other ways.
We don’t own a home, have a fancy car or take holidays far away.
They don’t ask for or expect the latest gadgets or fancy clothes. They have seen how hard I’ve worked their whole lives and they are aware that money doesn’t stretch far. And it’s made them extremely grateful and easily pleased teens.
You will be ok but you need to work hard and be clever with money.
Ps I’m a cleaner- no fancy job or big income
Singe mum here. I work as a teacher aide. My kids have phones (no, not the latest ones), go to private school and have everything they need. You have to be smart with money. Downsize your house is you have to. I have 2 kids and had a 4 bedroom house..one of the rooms was barely getting used! There was no reason to have a house that big, it was wasting money. Get food hampers!! Trust me, your local food hamper company will thank you for it. If you have several stream services cut down to one, or none if you barely watch it. Pay off bills weekly instead of all at once if you're not doing that already.
I'm not single but we're a low income family with 3 kids (one of whom is a teen).
Quite simply, they just don't get everything they want, they aren't always happy about that (like typical kids) but it's not my job to indulge their every whim.
Sure, they'd love to walk around with the all the latest brand name threads, an iPhone 11 or an iPad each but that's just not a realistic lifestyle for us. For the most part, they're understanding and accepting of that, if anything it actually makes them more appreciative and humble because they've had to either wait or work hard for things the things they do have.
We've always tried to keep our kids grounded as well, they understand the value of money, they understand that stuff doesn't always make you happy and they'll all be encouraged to get a part time job as soon as they're old enough.
That's not to say they have nothing though.
We have a family laptop and internet access that they can all use for homework etc.
They might get the odd piece of brand name clothing for Christmas or birthdays and other things they really want (within reason) they generally get for xmas/birthdays.
I'm quite a good bargain hunter which helps too.
My teen has a $150 prepaid smartphone which he's very happy with because I do feel phones are essential (to a point) for teens these days. However, that's the only one I'll be buying him, he can buy himself a fancy iPhone if he wants when he's earning his own money.
His credit costs $10 a month and he has chores to earn that.
He also has a gaming console, that was a combined birthday/christmas gift. That and some games was literally all he got though.
So, there is a compromise here.
Financially, you just make it work. In many ways teens are less expensive than small children. You don't have child care/after school care fees, you can work more, they don't grow out of their clothes as quickly - you catch my drift.
How old is your child now? Time to plan ahead? Can you study to get a better paid job? Save?
I’m saving so that once my kids hit high school I won’t ever have to say no to camps etc. I’ve been the poor kid and it’s awful. My kids won’t necessarily have the latest iPhone etc, but I’m saving now to ensure the won’t miss out
My son was 14 before he wanted all the gadgets. He knew I wasn’t abled to buy them so I encouraged a job and he can buy Wjat he likes. He worked 3 afternoons after scjool and was gadget up within months. I was happy I wasn’t more broke and he was happy he was gadgeted up. But in all honestly if you have a good relationship with her she will most prob not want much.
My son was 14 before he wanted all the gadgets. He knew I wasn’t abled to buy them so I encouraged a job and he can buy Wjat he likes. He worked 3 afternoons after scjool and was gadget up within months. I was happy I wasn’t more broke and he was happy he was gadgeted up. But in all honestly if you have a good relationship with her she will most prob not want much.
I grew up not having the latest!
Honestly it never fazed me or my brothers and sisters. We have so many memories with our parents and we’d prefer them over the latest gadget. We weren’t allowed phones unless we paid for them ourselves. That went for movies, dinners with friends EVERYTHING!
Honestly don’t stress over these things. Your kids will love and appreciate everything you’ve DONE for them and being there.
Your doing great! You got this.