General Archives - Page 56 of 171

When we become parents, few of us think about going it alone. It’s a possibility no woman should have to face. Of course, men are increasingly becoming single parents as well, and we take our hats off to any guy who is making a go of it. The path isn’t easy, no matter what. But, there’s still no getting around the fact that single fathers only head 13.5% of single families. The rest is down to us women, and that’s what we’re going to focus on here.

Raising a child is a real challenge, let alone when doing it solo. The problems become harder to cope with, and you haven’t got anyone there to talk things through. While having complete parental rein may seem like a dream, the reality is very different. No one will disagree with your methods. But, you also won’t have anyone there to prop you up or help you deal with those stressful decisions.

The good news is that, even if you’re going it alone, there is help out there. To prove the point, we’re going to look at the two main issues single parents are up against, and the best ways to get past each.

Single Families

Image Source

Money worries

Money worries are, inevitably, the first concern. There’s no escaping the fact that we live in a world geared towards couples. As if you didn’t have enough on your plate, you also need to work out how to make your way alone. It’s never easy. So much so that a shocking 47% of single-parent families live in poverty. It’s hard enough working to provide a roof over your heads. You then also have to foot the full extent of bills which would usually be halved. Admittedly, most councils still offer a single person discount of up to 25%. But, there are plenty of expenses besides that. On top of which, achieving a mortgage is near enough impossible when you’re doing it alone. That said, there’s help in this area, too, with charities like Habitat, who offer affordable housing for the exchange of 500 hours volunteer work. If you can leave your child with a family member while you volunteer, this could be a fantastic way to get a roof over your heads. And, you can work out a volunteer rota which fits with your lifestyle.

Emotional stresses

Of course, it isn’t only the financial strain which is a worry for many single mothers. Parenting alone can cause extreme amounts of emotional stress, too. The task can feel never-ending, and you may be reluctant to take anyone up on offers of help. But, it’s essential you allow yourself a break now and again. This could be anything from an evening where your mum has the little one, to an hour after school while they take part in hobby clubs. Either way, these small portions of time will make a huge difference. Make the most of them by investing in a little self-care, because every mum deserves pampering sometimes, too.

div align=”center”>

Sell the Unneeded Possessions

Whether you’re upgrading or downgrading, you’re going to be buying plenty of new furniture and other items for your new property. But what if, instead of packing up all your belongings and taking them with you, you take only the essentials that you need, and sell the rest? A big move is a perfect opportunity to dig through the old drawers and see what you of value that you could use to bring in some much-needed cash. Most homes have thousands of pounds worth of items that are either unused or no longer needed. That’s money that could easily be in your back pocket!

If You’re Freelance

Time, as they say, is money. No matter what your job is, you’re going to be spending a lot of time getting everything ready for your home, and you won’t be able to dedicate much time to your work. No big problem, you might think; just book a few days of holiday, and all is well. However, if you’re a freelance worker, then you won’t have holiday pay to fall back on. If you neglect your work, then you’re not bringing money in! Instead, look at hiring movers like those available at https://www.mybekins.com/location/el-cajon-ca-movers/ to help you. They’ll take care of all the hard work, leaving you free to continue working – and most importantly, keep earning money!

Looking After the Kids

They say that it’s good to have as many hands as possible when you’re moving. Many hands make light work, right? Well, that’s kind of right….your brother? Yeah, get them in. But your children? They’ll likely be more of a hindrance than a help. But of course, paying expensive childcare costs will eat into your budget considerably. Instead, ask friends or family to look after your little ones instead. You’ll be able to move home knowing your kids are well looked after, and won’t have had to part with a small fortune.

Prep Your Meals

You’re not going to be spending too many evenings in the kitchen when you’re trying to move house. The temptation will be to get a takeaway or go out for dinner each night, but that’ll be very expensive if you’re doing it every night until everything is unpacked! Instead, prepare some meals beforehand and set up your microwave. It’s just as convenient as a takeaway, but better for you – and crucially, won’t cost anywhere near as much!

div align=”center”>

Without wanting to sound overly dramatic, a business that isn’t in good financial health is rapidly edging towards an unenviable end. The commercial graveyard is home to thousands of SMEs that failed to cure recover their financial health. So if yours is struggling, finding a return to profitable activities is the only cure.

Many failed businesses have been in your current predicament. Then again, it’s important to remember that many successful ventures have also been there. So, how do they manage to turn things around? Let’s take a closer look.

Image source

Waste Reduction

The first step to recovering the financial situation is to start reducing the wasted cash. There’s nothing wrong with spending money in business, but every dollar wasted is another lost opportunity. Given that many of those upgrades can be incorporated almost immediately, this should be the first item on your to-do list.

Take the time to research different options for telephone service providers, web hosts, and insurances. Even if it’s only a few dollars per month, it can make a noticeable difference to those overheads. Just remember that taking the long-term contracts can often secure a better deal. In the worst case scenario where the business folds, those agreements will become void.

Another top trick is to use outsourced IT services. Not only does this save you a huge initial outlay, but it also ensures your systems remain up to date. For the immediate and long-term financial issues, this can be highly rewarding.

Responsible Lending

Often in business, cash flow is the main issue. The company might be moving in the right direction, but it still requires capital to make this progress happen. Borrowing money can feel daunting. In truth, though, it’s often a necessity to unlock the door to future growth and profits. The key, however, is to access those funds in the right manner.

Traditional bank agreements can be difficult to find, not least when the business is still in its infancy. The smartest entrepreneurs get through this issue with unsecured finance lending. Whether it’s to buy equipment or other essentials, the short-term boost can make all the difference. When this option is taken, though, timely repayments are essential.

Image source

Even the biggest companies often take out loans to enable growth and expansion. If it’s good enough for them, it’s certainly good enough for you.

Sales Boosting

If money is leaving the business faster than you’d like, it’s also worth encouraging it to arrive a lot quicker too. A short-term sales boost can get you out of a tight situation, and may also work wonders in the war for new clients that can be turned into loyal customers. It can also be the perfect way to get rid of stock that isn’t selling while also creating space in the warehouses.

Hosting a special promotion day can enhance the presence of the company as well as its immediate sales figures. This in itself can be hugely rewarding as the brand identity will influence ongoing consumer trends. Timed offers presented through email streams can be very effective as they force readers to make a decision.

Your marketing strategies are one thing, but the advice of other consumers is what will truly win the battle for new customers. Referral schemes can revolutionise your strategies forever, boosting sales figures greatly. Given that the payments come directly from sales too, it’s a very cost-efficient answer.

Image source

Monitoring

A business that fails to keep track of its activities will always be more vulnerable to errors. As such, learning to monitor everything at all times could be one of the greatest moves you’ll ever make. Not only will it reduce the likelihood of making future mistakes, but it’ll also enable you to rectify issues far quicker.

Monitoring doesn’t just mean tracking income and expenditure. Modern accounting facilities enable you to gain a deeper insight into taxes and similar issues throughout the year. Working blindly until the annual reports are completed can now be a thing of the past, even for an SME. This increased sense of control can only have a positive impact.

Above all else, taking extra responsibility in this aspect of the venture is sure to encourage better habits elsewhere. Even without those indirect benefits, though, taking this action is a must.

Increased Productivity

If money feels tight, you simply need to make it work harder. From a business perspective, this usually involves seeking increased effort levels. Those sentiments can extend to technology, machines, and various elements. Ultimately, though, the initial concerns should be with the staff.

Employees can be the greatest asset at your disposal, but can also drain your finances too. A successful recruitment drive is important. Perhaps more importantly, you need to maintain a good sense of motivation. This can be achieved with great communication, regular perks, and better staff facilities. Those simple gestures truly do make all the difference.

Image source

Streamlining your time is equally vital. Cut team briefings and meetings to 20 minutes, and embrace tech communications where possible. With more time at their disposal, the team will achieve far more. In turn, this can reduce costs and increase revenue.

Minimalised Risks

As a business, the basic formula for success revolves around low costs and high revenue. In reality, though, the sale price minus the production costs only tells half the story. Money can slip through the net in many different ways. Tighten your grip on those aspects, and you should see a very noticeable impact.

When selling items, you may let clients complete purchases on credit. When this happens, you trust them to make timely repayments. Not all customers will do this, which is why running credit checks can reduce the threat of bad debts. Once that money has been written off, you’ve essentially lost it forever. Sadly, this will hit profits hard.

Another danger that can hit you hard comes from theft or personal injury claims. A well protected and safe work environment should be the aim for all business owners. Aside from the financial benefits, it should provide a sense of emotional security too. If that doesn’t allow you to focus on the other jobs needed to restore stability, nothing will.