House and Home - Experts and Resources

Budgeting Basics For Life After Divorce

Essential tips for creating a budget and trimming expenses post divorce

Posted to by Rachel Small on Fri, 09/02/2011 - 4:01am

Financial experts suggest that the biggest economic burden from divorce falls on women and children. On average, after a divorce they suffer a 45% reduction in standard of living.

At this time of great emotional pain, making ends meet becomes a daunting task. I've put together a few strategies for money management and living within a budget for all the women out there facing the post-divorce financial crunch.

Changing your lifestyle isn't easy, but if you keep these tips in mind, you can survive post-divorce financial troubles. Don't let yourself and your family become part of the rising debt statistics — manage your money wisely.

Create a Budget:

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Selling The Marital Home

It was a roller coaster ride

Posted to by Cathy Meyer on Fri, 08/27/2010 - 5:15pm

In my last post, I mentioned that the legal aspects of my divorce had lingered, for lack of a better word, for seven years. I think First Wives World readers will have a better understanding of the obstacles I faced during those years with some background information.

Here's the thing: I wasn't the one who pursued the divorce. My ex- husband made that decision. Once he had made the decision, there was a paradigm shift in his brain and the man began to live in a parallel universe — one in which there is rational thought.

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When You Need a Man…

Posted to by Sharon McCormick on Fri, 07/30/2010 - 1:00am

Going through a divorce is hard, even if it’s something you wanted. Buying a new house or trying to maintain the one you have, solo, is scary. So many things can go wrong — but you already know that! And the last thing you want to do is call your ex for help.

Make finding a reliable, trusted, creative handyman a priority. Don’t wait for the first thing to go wrong. Having him “in your pocket” will give you great peace of mind. My handyman’s motto is “When things go wrong, call Don.” And I do. He’s on speed dial.

Word of mouth is the best way to find your new guy. Ask your realtor, neighbors, co-workers, senior citizens, single women and inept men who they use. Name drop when you call your prospects — tell them who referred you and you’ll probably get a faster response.

Interview a few handymen. Look for experience, creativity and integrity. Do you feel comfortable leaving this man your key? Start small, and trust your instincts. Ask him to hang some towel bars, replace a cracked tile and fix that leaky faucet. If that goes well, you may be on to something!

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Q & A on Sprucing Up Your Post-Divorce Bedroom

with Gregory Allan Cramer

Posted to by Gregory Allan Cramer on Sun, 05/30/2010 - 8:33am

Here are my answers to questions posted by firstwivesworld.com bloggers:

From Naomi Dunne: We've replaced the traditional lightbulbs in our living room with CFLs and now the place is so white it looks like an office and not exactly romantic. Can you suggest some ways to warm up the space?

Naomi: It's true CFL bulbs do help lower your electric costs and are good for the environment but, at the cost of harsh, non-flattering, cold light. To combat this very cool white light, you must choose a color for the walls that absorb that cool light and refracts more warm toned light. One solution is to repaint your walls. If that's not possible, a very simple solution is to place a scarf in a warmer tone over the lamp to mask the harsh light and soften the tone in the room. Another way is to change the lamp shades to a warmer-hued fabric. If you can't find one ready-made, custom is the next option to explore.

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Rosalind Sedacca, CCT, Family Counselor

featured expert

Posted to by First Wives World on Mon, 05/10/2010 - 1:53pm

(community reviews below)

Rosalind Sedacca, CCT, is the author of How Do I Tell the Kids about the Divorce? A Create-a-StorybookTM Guide to Preparing Your Children — with Love!

This easy-to-read e-book prepares parents for one of the most difficult conversations they will ever have: telling their children about a pending separation or divorce. How Do I Tell the Kids? doesn't just tell you what to say. It says it for you!

Rosalind's innovative book guides parents through fill-in-the-blank templates to create an attractive family storybook designed to help a child transition from heartbreak to love. The pictures and age-appropriate language convey, with love and compassion, the six key messages parents need to share with their children. The program includes insights and tips from professional divorce-experienced therapists. Their insight is immeasurable in assisting with the challenges parents face.

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How to Protect Yourself Financially If You Are a Woman Considering Divorce

Debbie Does Divorce with Kathy Boyle

Posted to by Debbie Nigro on Thu, 05/06/2010 - 8:16am

Whether you're just thinking about divorce or in the middle of the process, finances are top of mind. Do you know the value of your 401k and IRA accounts? Did you know single moms earn 66% less than their male counterparts? That's no joke. Debbie chats with financial advisor Kathy Boyle who shares tips on how you can get a handle your financial life. Have a listen!

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Why Divorced Women Must Embrace the Word NO

Debbie Does Divorce with Susan Newman

Posted to by Debbie Nigro on Fri, 03/19/2010 - 8:00am

Are you hesitant or afraid to say no? Most women fail to use the one word that frees them, honors them, earns them respect and gets them what they want. It’s a word too many of us think of as negative, but once uttered in the tug of war that is divorce, is extraordinarily satisfying. Debbie finds out how to get over the hump of being agreeable and why we should by talking to Susan Newman, author of "The Book of NO: 250 Ways to Say It — and Mean It and Stop People-Pleasing Forever." After this segment you’ll want to start flexing your NO-muscle immediately.

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