Category: Working Parents

Do you feel like you’re always stressed out? Unable to perform at the level you’d like at work? Guilty about being away from your kids at home?

You’re not alone! It’s a difficult time for being a parent. The tricky art between balancing work and family can be challenging for mothers with the best intentions.

However, there are a few strategies that can make restoring the balance simpler. Let’s get into what all mothers need to know.

Stay Organized With A Schedule

Whether it’s digitalized or on paper, keeping a schedule is one of the easiest ways to stay sane in managing your work-life balance. Relying on memory alone is a surefire way to forget something important.

Today, there is no excuse not to stay organized. In fact, many tools and apps allow parents to seamlessly and quickly add, delete, and modify daily schedules.

Each week, take a moment to gloss over your to-do list. When you get up in the morning, take another moment to scan over the responsibilities for the day. Highlight the ones that are most important.

Remember this: your schedule is only beneficial if you actually follow it! Make sure it’s in a visible place for everyone who needs to see it.

Hone Down Your Priorities

Even if you’re the world’s most flexible mother, you’re not going to get everything done in one day. That’s okay! You’re only human, right?

It’s essential to master the art of identifying and implementing your priorities. Fortunately, this is an easy practice to learn.

Commit to starting each day by looking over your schedule. Identify the things that must get done (as in, there will be consequences if you don’t do them), the things you’d like to get done (these are secondary to the musts), and the things that can wait for another day.

Aim to tackle the hardest tasks first. That’s when you have the most energy and motivation. After charging through those, you’ll have a sense of accomplishment and the rest will feel like a breeze.

Delegate Tasks Whenever Possible

Even if you feel like you can do it all, there’s no reason you should. That’s not healthy for you or anyone in your family.

Sit down with your partner and delegate an appropriate division of tasks and chores. It doesn’t have to be completely split down the middle (as that may not be realistic), but having a clear understanding for what each of you is responsible for makes it easier on everyone.

And don’t forget to get your kids involved! Most children want to help around the house, and you’ll be teaching them responsibility later in life by giving them assignments and tasks now.

Streamline Your Chores and Errands

Most mothers are masters at multitasking, and for a good reason. As a mom, you need to be able to juggle several tasks at one time- without getting flustered.

Think of how you can take advantage of multitasking while doing your ordinary chores or errands. For example, can you cluster all your errands into one shopping trip? Can you do the dishes while running a load of laundry?

Stay consistent with your chores and errands. Assign them with a specific date and time. The more consistently you can follow this structure, the faster you’ll get at executing them.

Streamline Night-Before Tasks

Before you get into bed every night, get as much done as you possibly can to prepare for the next day.

That means making lunches and breakfasts, running that load of laundry, picking out a clean outfit for the next day, signing permission slips, etc. Starting your day on a frantic note is a recipe for anxiety.

If you can transition into starting your day more peacefully, you’ll feel more calm and collected.

Outsource if Possible

Some would argue that parenting takes a village, and those who outsource their tasks would agree with this sentiment.

Whether it’s hiring a babysitter or A Nanny on the Net for a date night out or using a maid once or twice a month, it can be worth every penny to outsource extra labor. Even a meal-ordering service can go a long way for your peace of mind.

Think of it this way: how much do you value your free time? How much are you willing to spend financially for your emotional health?

Set Boundaries With Technology

Did you know that the average person spends a staggering 10 hours in front of a screen each day? Even if you don’t feel like you have extra time, chances are, you can probably cut back on some of your technology use.

Next time you’re trying to squeeze in a Netflix show or scroll through Instagram for the third time, consider what you could be doing instead.

What about taking the kids to the park? Using that time to catch up on some late work? Squeezing in quality time with your spouse?

Many parents find that setting limits and boundaries around their technology use makes it easier to stay present and enjoy the people and things that really matter.

Practice Flexibility

At the end of the day, you don’t need to be a supermom. That’s unrealistic and unhelpful. Instead, it’s important to practice kindness and compassion towards yourself- no matter what you do or don’t accomplish in a given moment.

Practicing flexibility and learning how to roll with the punches is one of the best ways to manage work-life stress. Taking on this mentality is also a great way to model healthy coping with your young ones.

Final Thoughts on Balancing Work and Family

Balancing work and family will never be a perfect science, but it doesn’t need to be! With the right tips for balancing work and family, you can feel like you have it all- without needing to give it your all.

Are you interested in learning more helpful parenting and family tips? Be sure to check out our blog!

Playing referee, balancing the finances, and putting other people’s needs first. These are only a few of things you’re responsible for as a successful entrepreneur. And as a successful single mom.

It’s no wonder that these two worlds can seamlessly coincide. But only with the right mindset and drive.

Read on to discover how to be a successful single mom and entrepreneur without sacrificing your sanity or your life savings.

1. Identify Your Work-Life Balance

Maintaining a healthy work-life balance is essential for any entrepreneur but this is especially true if you’re a business mom. As the matriarch of the family, your children need your support, love, and nurturing. And as a business owner, your company also needs your attention and care.

Burning the candle at both ends isn’t healthy and could lead to a breakdown both at home and at work. Set realistic expectations as an entrepreneur. This means creating a flexible schedule for yourself and hiring reliable staff in your absence.

It’s also important to schedule time with your family. Maybe it means taking off every Saturday to watch your kids play sports or making sure you’re home each night for dinner.

A work-life balance is also about self-care. If you don’t take care of yourself mentally and physically, you won’t succeed at home or in business.

2. Get Your Kids Involved

Every entrepreneur knows that your business becomes your second baby. But as a single mom, you have real babies at home that need your attention.

For many entrepreneurs, their business becomes their second home. If you’re spending a majority of your time at your establishment, bring your children along when possible.

Depending on the type of company you run, try involving your children in your work. If you run a retail business, let them help run the cash register or stock the shelves.

When you’re working after hours, let your kids set up their tablets or laptops beside you. That way you can both be working together. Their involvement will help you both feel less distant.

3. Don’t Lose Focus

What is life without purpose? Keeping the vision and focus for your business at the forefront of your mind is key when life gets overwhelming.

Doubt and uncertainty are common feelings when you start your own business. You might even ask yourself things like, “Why did I think this was a good idea, again?” If you can’t answer that question, then the demands of splitting your time between home and work may not seem worth it.

But if you can answer this question with things like, “To build a brighter future for my children” or “save money for their college fund”, then it gives you a purpose. And the sacrifice won’t feel so great.

4. Find a Successful Single Mom Support Group

Single moms share a special bond that only other single moms can fully understand. It’s a job that takes sacrifice, selflessness, and hard work.

Many of the same skills are required for running a successful business. Surrounding yourself with like-minded individuals is essential for success. Find other successful single moms and work together.

You can bounce ideas off one another. Lend a hand when needed. And lift each other up when things get rough.

You can also pool your resources. Collaborate by using the same suppliers, payroll services, or advertising firms. Read more about the benefits of advertising and sign displays at this site.

Single moms can carpool, swap coupons and plan play dates in the park to help unwind.

5. Prioritize

It’s easy for both moms and entrepreneurs to get overwhelmed with demands and obligations. If you’re tackling both these challenging jobs, you’ll need to prioritize.

Try making a list of what needs to be done in chronological order. Determine which tasks can wait and which need your immediate attention. If there’s an overlap in events, adjust your schedule accordingly.

For many successful single moms, their children’s needs outweigh work obligations. That’s why hiring reliable staff who can handle the business in your absence is an important ingredient in your success.

6. Delegate

Letting go of control is difficult. Especially when you’re used to being a one-woman-show at home. But delegating tasks as an entrepreneur will help reduce your stress and give you more with your children.

Hire reliable and trustworthy employees in managerial positions. Make these people responsible for important jobs like opening and closing your establishment and scheduling staff.

Train them in duties that you normally perform. This gives you the freedom to schedule days off and not worry that things won’t get done.

7. Be Creative With Your Funding

Keeping your head above water financially as a single mom can be extremely difficult. But that doesn’t mean you have to give up your dreams of being an entrepreneur.

Don’t let limited funding crush your business before it’s even off the ground. There are a lot of ways to get financial backing for your business venture.

In fact, there are financial resources available specifically for single moms. Small business loans, payday loans, and grants are other funding options.

One such program is the Community Development Financial Program (CDFI). The CDFI works closely with different government departments as well as the Small Business Administration. Together, CDFI’s are designed to support small businesses and offer economic opportunity and house in areas.

Get creative when it comes to financing your entrepreneurial dreams.

8. Surround Yourself with Positivity

You need positive influences in both your personal and professional life. As a single and successful mom, you need a core group of friends and employees that want what’s best for you and your children.

Steer clear of dating men that don’t support your dreams or appreciate your work ethic. If your partner feels threatened by your success they’ll quickly become a hindrance, not a help.

Hire employees that you can trust and who share your same vision and passion for success. Perhaps bringing a business partner on board would help alleviate both your mental and financial stress.

Set Yourself Up for Success

Being a successful single mom and a successful entrepreneur are more similar that one might think. They both take patience, hard work, passion, and balance.

When you arm yourself with the right recourses and surround yourself with the right people, nothing can stand in your way.

If financing is your concern, check out this great post on cutting expense for your small business. After all, being frugal is another skill mastered by most single moms.

The total cost for a 4-year degree will be more than $205,000 by the year 2030. That will be the year that kids born in 2012 turn 18 years old. If your kids are born later, expect a higher price tag.

The best investment for a child is one that starts as early as possible. Investing for kids now is how to build a fortune for your child’s future education.

Read on to learn all about the best investments for children and how you can get started.

529 Plans to Invest for Kids

All US states offer a 529 savings account. You can even enroll in 529 plans from other states. Make sure you look into the lifetime contribution limits on your plan, so you know how much you can put away.

Every year you are able to deposit funds up to the set annual limit without being dinged with a gift tax. For 2018, that limit is $14,000 for each child. However, if you and your spouse file a joint tax return, you can double that number per child.

If you have the money, you might want to make a large lump deposit now that is equal to 5 years’ worth of contributions. In other words, you could add $70,000 to your child’s 529 plan today if you wanted.

This is a good option if you have the cash and want your money to start growing as soon as possible. But that means that you won’t be able to add any other money until 5 years from now.

One of the best features of this type of investing for kids is that withdrawn money is not taxable if it is used for education. You can use the balance of your fund for any type of tuition including private school from kindergarten to grade 12. Check out these 5 tax refund tips to get the most out of your money.

The majority of 529 savings plans allow you to invest your contributions through mutual funds. You’ll be able to choose what you want to invest in this way. Yet, if you want to invest in other things besides mutual funds, you can do that as well with a 529 plan.

How to Open A 529 Savings Plan

The first (and hardest) part of getting a 529 plan is choosing one. There are over 100 plans available. This is the simplest way to stop delaying and get your plan up and running.

Choose between a savings or prepaid plan or get both.

Savings plans are similar to 401K plans. There is investing in stocks, bonds, as well as other securities.

Prepaid 529 plans are like pension plans. they grow at a guaranteed rate and are often limited to people who reside in that state.

You might decide to get both kinds of plans and divide your contributions between the 2 accounts.

Next, pick either the in-state or out-of-state plan. Often, it’s wiser to get the in-state savings plan if you have a state tax benefit. Use this state tax calculator to see how much your tax benefit is worth.

Finally, compare costs and investment options for the plan you are considering.

Don’t be overly concerned with past performance of a plan. Look for a plan with low costs. Websites like collegesavings.org can help you compare plans.

Don’t get hung up on trying to find the absolute best investment plan for your 529 savings plan. The most important thing is to open a plan and start saving right away. You can always switch to a different plan later on if you want to.

Now, let’s check out other investment plans for kids.

Retirement Accounts

It may feel strange to think about your child’s retirement when you’ve got a baby or toddler at home. Yet, the sooner you start saving for retirement, the better.

Besides, retirement accounts can be used to pay for college as well as other big life expenses. And no, you won’t have to pay taxes on your withdrawals as long as you take out your contributions and not earnings.

Let’s pretend that you have invested $2000 every year for the past 3 years. You can go ahead and take out $6000 without any penalties and without having to pay taxes.

As soon as your child begins working, he or she should have an individual retirement account. Let’s look at custodial individual retirement accounts, next.

Custodial Individual Retirement Account

Custodial IRA can be created in your child’s name. The funds in the account belong to the child but as the parent, you control the assets until the child is an adult.

The age when a child gains access to the account is either 18 or 21 depending on which state you live in. These accounts are often managed at a bank or brokerage.

There are 2 main custodial accounts that prominently used for saving for post-secondary education. They are the Uniform Gift to Minors Act (UGMA) and the Uniform Transfers to Minors Act (UTMA).

Both of these accounts are irrevocable. Don’t deposit any money into either of these that you might need in case of an emergency.

You won’t be able to get it back. Instead, check out stock loan rates to learn about how to get access to funds when you need them.

Both of these do not have contribution limits. They are subject to Kiddie tax as the child includes this account as income on his or her tax returns each year.

UGMAs include securities such as stocks and bonds. On the other hand, UTMAs may include physical property like real estate and fine art.

Grandparents and others can add money to these accounts as gifts. Keep in mind that the most one person can gift a child per year is $14,000.

Note that when the child is not a minor, he or she does not have to use the funds in these custodial accounts for education.

Certificate of Deposit Ladder (CD)

Now that we’ve looked at 2 types of investments that are subject to market fluctuations, let’s examine an investment plan that has less risk.

A CD ladder means buying several certificates of deposit, all with varying maturity dates and interest rates. When one CD matures, you divert that money into a new CD. You keep doing this until you want to use the money you’ve saved.

Since it’s easy to estimate your earnings, you are able to plan for the future with a good amount of certainty.

This option is great for people who want to play it safe or want to avoid having all their eggs in one basket. You won’t earn huge returns with this method, yet it is a long-term savings plan that works.

How to Open a Certificate of Deposit

Opening a CD is similar to opening a bank account. First, you need to choose an insured financial institution. That way, if the bank or credit union fails, their insurance protects you up to the maximum that is legally allowed.

Then, you choose a type of CD. There are many kinds to choose from.

After that, select your term length. The longer the term, the higher the interest rate you’ll earn. It’s in your best interest to select CDs that mature well in the future.

You will also need to choose how you want to collect your interest payments. You can get it monthly or once a year.

It’s best if you don’t rely on this payment as part of your income. Make sure you build a personal monthly budget that works for you.

The wise thing to do is to reinvest the interest into the CD to earn even more interest. Once the CD reaches the end of the term, you’ll get the amount you deposited plus the interest your CD accumulated.

You will need your SSN and other forms of identification to open up a CD (same as you would need when applying for a bank account or credit card).

Also, choose how you want to deposit money into the CD account. You can choose to mail a check or transfer the funds online or by phone.

Teach Children Financial Literacy

One of the best ways you can invest in your child’s future is to teach them how to manage their money wisely.

With the majority of Americans in debt, teaching kids about smart spending and being financially savvy is vital for the future of the country.

There are lots of great resources to help you teach your kids financial literacy including lots of resources about money on MyMoney.Gov

Instead of giving kids what they want, give them an allowance and help them learn how to save up for what they want. Or help them start earning money by doing chores, dog sitting, raking yards and babysitting.

Even though as a parent you want to give your kids every advantage, it is important for them to learn how to take responsibility for their financial freedom in their youth for a bright future.

Final thoughts on Investing for Kids

Thanks for reading! We hope you found this article on investing for kids’ future helpful. Remember, the sooner you get started, the better.

Now, take a look at these 3 expert money saver tips you need in your life.

The global marijuana industry is poised to hit $31.4 billion in sales.

Are you a stay at home mom who wants to break into the marijuana industry? You’re not alone.

And it’s easier than you might think.

While most of your friends might be shilling make-up and other hustles, you can break into the weed industry as a stay at home moms.

In this article, we’ll detail some of the ways you can break into the multi-billion dollar legal weed industry with an incredibly flexible schedule.

Stay at Home Mom Job: Freelance Writing

Were you great at English in school? Do you have a few clippings here and there?

You could work as a content creator for a local dispensary.

Many companies are turning to content creation and SEO (Search Engine Optimization) to ensure their sites rank higher than anyone else’s. In turn, you have a lot of people wanting content creation. Weed dispensaries are no different.

You can contract with a local weed dispensary or a third party that writes articles for the dispensaries. You might be well on your way to writing copy about marijuana all day long.

Graphic Design

Many dispensaries are starting to have a pretty pronounced web presence. This is because many of them can sell specific items online. CBD oil, for example, which lacks THC, is legal in all 50 states. As a result, they can ship it anywhere in the US.

You can find examples of this on Medical Marijuana Inc’s website.

Because of this, many need a good graphic designer to help get their website up and running. If you have previously worked as a graphic designer, or you’re a whizz at Photoshop, this is a great way to get your foot in the door of the marijuana business.

You can spend your days creating logos for a variety of web presences, but you may also be called upon to help brand marijuana products themselves.

As dispensaries become legal, more and more individuals want their logo and product noticed. As a result, they may need graphic designers to help create logos and artwork for the products.

You could be the next brand designer for a potentially huge and iconic marijuana dispensary or business.

Social Media Manager

Are you a social media whiz? Did you work in social media before you had kids? If so, this might be a great fit for you.

As mentioned previously, many dispensaries want to up their web presence. This includes not just websites but also connecting customers through social media.

If you know how to get, maintain and engage a following online, this could be the role for you. You might be able to grab customers for your local dispensary, and slowly climb up the ranks.

Distributors

If you have experience in the corporate world, you could become a distributor for wholesale marijuana or CBD companies.

For those who already have the skillset, it can be a lucrative job from the comfort of your own home. Though typically, it may require a little bit of traveling each day.

Distributors are responsible for ensuring that local dispensaries get the products they have ordered from a wholesale weed company. This may include strains of bud, bongs, edibles, budtender training, and other paraphernalia.

Although the job is more like a regular 9 to 5, you’ll still be getting a big slice of the marijuana pie. You’ll have duties like managing the books, creating invoices, making sure companies have paid for their products, attend marijuana conventions to inform the wholesaler about new products and recommend new items to dispensaries.

This is a great way to marry your love of marijuana with your desk job skills.

Promoter

While a marijuana promoter might sound a bit shady, it actually is pretty run-of-the-mill when you dissect it.

There are many ways you can promote marijuana growing, and one is by helping with the regulation of the industry. There are organizations dedicated to ensuring that an industry of organic marijuana exists so that the products can be USDA certified when the government allows it.

A promoter educates growers on how to ensure their plants are clean and safe and helps begin the standard for organic marijuana.

They also discuss the opportunity to join the program with budtenders and those who are working independently. They often receive a cut of the memberships to the organization they sell.

In most instances, aside from education, they will be prompting budtenders to adhere to a specific standard to ensure their marijuana will be labeled as organic.

Business Consultant

Before you had kids, were you working in the corporate world? Do you have a keen eye for business and what business owners need? If so, working as a freelance business consultant could be a great way to earn a living.

The marijuana business is very new. As such, not everyone who is opening a business knows exactly what they’re doing. They may be so swept up in the fact that they get to legally sell weed that they’re not making good business decisions.

As a business consultant, you can help individuals get set up. You can help with everything from infrastructure to the legal ins and outs of running a business. You can help a new dispensary with everything from filing taxes to hiring the right people to training them.

As a business consultant, you’ll work with dispensaries at the ground level and then help them grow their wings and fly on their own. As the business is so incredibly new, many people will need guidance at the beginning.

Working For Stay at Home Moms

Working as a stay at home mom can prove challenging, no matter what industry. While you may get to be home with your kids the majority of the day, you’ll still need to put in a full day’s work. This can be a bit challenging for some individuals. Still, the flexibility it offers is often second to none.

And, you can merge your love of family with your love of marijuana, which is the best of both worlds.

For more tips on earning money as a full-time mom, visit our blog.

If growing your career often requires you to check your bags and add to your frequent flyer miles, you’re in good company. Thousands of career women jet set from one side of the country to another for meetings and conferences.

Although traveling for your job can be an exciting alternative to sitting in an office all day, it doesn’t come without its risks. Women, in particular, are more likely to be at risk when traveling solo. And though we wish it wasn’t so, it’s necessary to take certain precautions as a female traveler.

To make the most of your travels, and feel more comfortable doing so, here are 5 safety tips for women who have to work remotely:

Do Your Research

Before you visit a new area, make sure you understand the local customs and laws. Some gestures carry different meanings in other regions and you don’t want to offend anyone.

Take the time to research religious or political events that are happening during your visit. By having an idea about your surroundings, you’ll be better prepared and able to decide which areas to avoid and which events you might want to attend.

Share Your Schedule

Before you leave on a work assignment, let a trusted friend or family member in on your schedule. Tell them where you’ll be staying, who you’ll be with, and how they can contact you.

Keep in mind that your cell phone service might not always be great, so it’s good to share all the details you can in case of an emergency.

Use Technology to Help You

Keep a copy of important documents such as your driver’s license or passport on your phone in the cloud. This way you can still access the information should you lose your bag or wallet.

Apps such as “Find My iPhone” are useful in locating your phone if you lose it.

Safety Tips for Women Including Exuding Confidence

If you become lost, try to keep your composure and not appear scared or vulnerable. Maintain a confident energy so that you don’t come across as someone who can be taken advantage of.

Potential attackers look for women who appear busy, inattentive, intoxicated, or vulnerable. Be careful about who you accept help from. If you do get lost or need help, seek out a nearby business owner or law enforcement officer.

Protect Yourself with Self Defense Products

Basic safety while working remotely includes the use of self-defense products. These include pepper sprays, stun guns, hidden camera, tasers, and more. Suppliers such as “TBOTECH” carry a full range of self-defense products to help you travel in safety.

Learn More About Smart Traveling

Now that you’ve learned some of the most important safety tips for women who travel, can you think of any others we’ve forgotten? Let us know in the comments below!

Also, be sure to check out these other great articles with advice for traveling smart, whether it’s a solo trip, a family trip, for work or for pleasure!