Finances & Budgeting

Dear Single Moms in Baton Rouge, We are a little over a month into the new year, and reflecting on life seasons and growth is often helpful in motivating ourselves for what the year has to offer. I was a single mom for three years, and when I think back to my moments as a single mom, several words come to mind that describe me at that time: survivor, warrior, worrier, depleted, and lonely. I had the most wonderful gift in the world, my baby girl, but with the blessing came immense challenges. At the time, I was the only single mother at the job that I worked, so my work ethic and performance had to rival those with much more resources,...

Aldi Hack : : Sushi Roll Bowl Ever since Aldi opened up here in Baton Rouge, the mom groups are full of questions. Is it really that good of a deal? I hear their Aldi brand tastes weird. What’s good to buy? So I’m mostly here to answer that third question, but I’ll lightly touch on the first two. Is it really that good of a deal? It absolutely can be! We’ve found the biggest saving in produce and cheeses (which my family can devour!). As with any store, especially if you’re a bargain hunter, some deals are still better elsewhere. Eggs are best at Aldi, but Sam’s has beat out the price on a gallon of milk for us so far. We also really...

Property Brothers :: Money, Mercy, and Monopoly Flashback to New Year’s Eve, 2021. That night, we stayed in as Covid cases had spiked and gifted us with the Omicron variant. I would eventually become well-acquainted with Omicron a few weeks later. But on this quiet and cozy evening playing board games, laughing, and enjoying the “Mini Sweet Tooth Buffet” I’d pulled together following a last-minute Target run, I looked around and felt better than I’d felt in months. I could have sworn I tasted a bit of sweet hope intermingled with the sour gummy worms. That night we played Monopoly as a family for the first time. It had been at least a decade since I’d opened the game, and pulling that...

Halloween Costume Ideas To Stretch The Budget I kind of hate the idea of a single use costume. It seems like spending money on something that will be worn just once or twice is such a waste. I try to find a way to create a costume out of something we already have, or that can be used well past Halloween.  Halloween Costumes that had a Second Life: Clark Kent Superman’s alter ego is an easy costume that won’t break the bank.  What you need:  -Superman T-Shirt (purchased from Target and it was worn for literally the next year...If you're crafty you can make your own with some vinyl, a blank tee and a cutting machine.) -Khaki/Navy Pants (already owned) -White button up shirt...

Halloween Costumes :: 3 Ways To Save As the air turns crisp, okay not "crisp," but a little less hot and the pumpkin spice everything fills the air, shelves and headlines, that can mean only one thing, it is almost Fall and Halloween is just around the corner. Now is the time to start thinking about costumes. Are you looking for some easy for yourself ideas? Suggestions for costumes for the family? Or maybe you are just hoping to find an option that fits your budget. Here are some other ideas for finding affordable, fun costumes:  Shop Secondhand or Consignment  I stumbled upon affordable, new in packaging, costumes at a children’s resale shop. I originally went to Once Upon a Child in...