Divorce changes a lot, but one truth never changes: kids are expensive. For moms, navigating shared expenses with an ex-spouse can feel like a second full-time job. Even with child support in place, the "extras" pile up-sports fees, orthodontics, summer camps, and those last-minute school supply runs that always seem to happen when your budget is already stretched.

As Mother's Day approaches, I find myself reflecting on the journey of motherhood intertwined with the challenges and triumphs of managing finances as a single mom post-divorce. It's a balancing act that requires patience, perseverance, and a lot of planning. Today, I want to share some financial tips that have empowered me to face the future with confidence and ensure financial stability for both myself and for my kids.

After my divorce and as a financial advisor, I've seen firsthand how the transition to a single-income household can be overwhelming, and how managing finances effectively becomes more crucial than ever. In this post, I want to share some practical tips and advice to help single parents confidently navigate this new financial landscape.

Valentine's Day, a time traditionally associated with love and partnership, can bring unique challenges for newly single women, especially those navigating the aftermath of a divorce. Managing finances might feel overwhelming in these moments, but it's a crucial step towards independence and stability. Think of budgeting not just as number crunching but as an act of self-love and empowerment. I wrote this guide to help you lay a solid financial foundation. It's about confidently embracing your new journey and ensuring a stable future for yourself and your children.

A divorce can be a challenging time in your life, especially when it comes to financial matters like alimony. In the past, I've written about navigating through alimony and my unique perspective on how we as a society should change our approach to considering alimony as compensation for a spouse's contributions to the family's economic circumstances instead of compensation for their support. You can read that post here . I understand the nuances and emotional weight of negotiating alimony. It's not just about the numbers; it's about protecting your financial future and having financial stability. In this post, I'll guide you through understanding and negotiating alimony, offering insights from my professional experience to empower you during and after your divorce proceedings.

As a Financial Advisor, I've witnessed countless scenarios where the holiday season becomes a financial burden for many families, especially those navigating through life-changing events like a divorce. It's understandable that parents might feel the urge to overcompensate for their children's emotional needs by placing presents under the tree or purchasing extravagant gifts. However, it's important to recognize that embracing experiences over material items can be far more fulfilling and financially sustainable.

Research into how the legal obligation for alimony originated shows a historical basis of the concept dating back to the Egyptians, Greeks and Hebrews as a "practice to avoid feuds with the divorced wife's relatives." Funnily enough, a specific "price" was set--as if one could value one wife equal to another wife, similar to a Kelly Blue Book value setting the standard price for an automobile. Alimony is intended to provide "support for one spouse, not punishment for the other" according to my resource. I find this funny as well, since so often in my practice I hear, "he doesn't think I deserve alimony." Thankfully, the law protects dependent spouses in this circumstance, but they'll incur legal expenses to hire an attorney who can navigate the family court system on their behalf.