1) Make a budget
Life
is expensive but money is limited. It can be really stressful and financial
worries distract you from other things you should be focused on. Having a
budget helps relieve this stress. Figure out how much money you have coming in
each month and make a list of things you have
to pay for and of things you want.
Be honest with yourself about the difference! You have to pay your bills but you don’t
have to have the newest phone. You have
to get the books for you classes but you could rent them instead of buy
them. Talk to friends that have had the class before you, maybe you could buy a
book you need from them and save some money. You have to eat but you don’t need
to eat out all the time. Choose cheaper foods and store brands to save money. Check
out resale shops like Plato’s Closet or stores like Target for clothes instead
of more expensive lines. They’ll soon be covered in spit up or mud from your
little one anyway.
2) Set goals
Goals
are important. It’s hard to get where you want to go without knowing how to get
there. An example I’m sure most women can relate to: It’s easier to lose 20
pounds if you set a goal to work out 3 times a week. Having the smaller goals
on your way to losing those 20 pounds helps you get there. Saying you want to
earn a 4.0 for the semester is a wonderful goal but setting smaller goals will
help you achieve it. Little goals like spending two hours a day in the library
or keeping notes from classes will help you keep on track. They do not have to
all be academic either. Set goals for yourself as a mother too. Maybe you want
to eat dinner with your family every night or play with your kid(s) outside
every day. Write down whatever is important to you and keep it somewhere you
can see it. You could make a list that you carry in your wallet or calendar.
You could make a poster that you hang on your wall. Find a way to keep the list
close that suits your lifestyle and your personality.
3) Manage guilt
You
can’t do it all. This is a frustrating fact of life that we have to learn to
cope with. It breaks my heart when my daughter says “Mommy, play pweeez” and I
have to tell her “Mommy needs to study.” What’s even worse than that is having
group projects that require me to meet with my group in the evenings. In my
experience typical college students would rather meet in the evening through
the week instead of meeting on the weekends. It’s more convenient for them but
I hate it. When I have a group meeting in the evening, I don’t get to tuck my
daughter in at bed time. When situations like these come up you have to remind yourself
of the bigger picture. Meeting with your group helps you work better, which
helps you get a better grade on the assignment, when helps you get a better
grade in that class. Each step of the way you are getting closer to earning
your degree which will be the most beneficial thing for your family. Any time
you feel guilty, look at the big picture. Make your decisions based on the long
run, not on what you want in the moment. It’s maturity and it will help you
meet the goals that you set.
4) Make time for yourself
This
tip is similar to the “Take care of yourself” from the first set of tips that I
posted. “Take care of yourself” was directed at meeting your more basic needs
such as sleep. “Make time for yourself” is directed at meeting your emotional
and mental needs. This life is stressful but pampering yourself here and there
helps ease your tension. You don’t have to spend the weekend at a spa to feel
pampered, although if you could find the time and money for that I would not
blame you! Finding a sitter while you enjoy a meal out or a movie with your
friends/boyfriend/husband can be just as relaxing. Simple things can make a big
difference in your attitude. I like giving myself a facial or painting my nails
while my daughter naps. Keep your budget in mind when deciding how to pamper
yourself. If you decide to do something like take a mini vacation, keep your
schedule in mind. Scheduling a trip right before a big test might not be a good
idea.
5) Prepare meals in advance
You
could cook meals for the week on Sunday and then warm them for dinner
throughout the week. This frees up time for you each night to focus on your
family or studies. It could also help your budget if you carefully planned the
meals you make. For example: chicken breasts and hamburger are cheaper when you
purchase larger amounts at one time. Buy a larger package, make several meals
from it, and save a little bit of money. I don’t utilize this plan very often
as my husband is actually pretty helpful in the kitchen. With the weather
cooling off though, I will be making soups and stews. These are great meals
that can be started in a crock pot in the morning and left to simmer all day.
Then they are ready by dinner time. They also last a few days if you make a
large enough batch.
*Date
everything so you know how old it is and won’t eat something that has gone bad*
