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The Coupon Crate

Tips and Tricks

- Avoid shopping at the peak times such as right after work (5-7 PM) and weekends. Shopping during slow times will allow for you to look for the best deals and getting the best prices without becoming the object of basket-rage. This will also relieve the pressure of hearing everyone grunt and sigh when you pull out those coupons. You absolutely should use your couponing expertise, but why make it harder on yourself?
- Eat before you go grocery shopping. When you're shopping hungry... do I really need to go on? I'm certain everyone at some point has come home with bags and bags of snacks and ingredients for things you can make NOW. And don't think that the store offering hot to-go items is unintentional. Being hungry and smelling food increase impulse shopping!

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Cutting Grocery Costs without Cutting Nutrition

Simple, healthy, and affordable ways to weather the rising price of food

by Karen Collins, R.D., American Institute of Cancer Research

Grocery prices are projected to increase again in 2008 – that’s following 2007’s highest annual increase in 17 years. But surviving these tough economic times doesn’t have to mean sacrificing good nutrition. Some simple strategies can help you cut food costs and eat more healthfully, too.
To get started, look over several weeks worth of grocery receipts and see where you spend the most money. Changes here will likely offer the most savings. Meat is often one of the largest grocery expenses. Save money by adding a couple of bean-based, meatless meals each week. It’s easy:

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The Top 10 Pet-Owner Mistakes

Avoid common errors, and keep your four-legged pal healthy and well-behaved.

By Ashley Tate

Mistake 1: Buying a Pet Spontaneously. Why this is a mistake: That doggie in the window may be darling, but he might not be the right fit for your family or lifestyle.
How to avoid it: Fully inform yourself before you bring home a pet. Every dog or cat has its own needs, some of which are specific to the breed. Terriers tend to dig; Abyssinians explore and climb. If there's a breed that interests you, read up on it (try the website of the American Kennel Club, at akc.org, or the Cat Fanciers Association, at cfainc.org), talk to owners, and get to know someone else's Border collie or Persian.

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10 Tips for Improving Your Family's Eating Habits

With today’s busy lifestyles, families don’t always eat as healthfully as we would like. But by practicing healthy eating habits at home, you can make it easier for your family to eat right. Try these 10 tips designed to encourage healthy eating habits:

1. Be a good food role model. Telling children to eat nutritious foods is one thing — showing them is better. If you offer nutritious foods regularly — and if they see you eating them — your children likely will learn to like them.
2. Serve a variety of fruits and vegetables daily. In addition to bananas and apples, try something new like kiwi or papaya. Add vegetables to stir fries or casseroles.
3. Schedule a snack time and stick to it. Space snacks at least two to three hours before a meal.
4. Involve kids in meal planning and preparation. Children often will eat foods they help plan and prepare.

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How to Save on Your Grocery Bill

A full cart doesn’t have to leave you with an empty wallet

by Kati Neville

Don’t buy non grocery items at the supermarket. Health and beauty goods are usually cheaper at mass-market retailers, like Target. And you’ll find the best deals on paper products at warehouse clubs.
Purchase oranges, onions, and potatoes in bags rather than individually. You’ll pay roughly half the price.

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Basic Legal Recommendations for Women

by Michele Howe

According to Toledo attorney, Stephen Pennington, there are some fundamental legal concerns that every woman should understand, plan, and prepare for in order to best protect her financial assets in lieu of a possible divorce, death of a spouse, or for simple common sense financial survival. It is noteworthy that each of the potentially troubling monetary difficulties cited below arrives at a time when a woman is simultaneously coping with personal loss and pain, thus underscoring the need to take preparatory measures well in advance such major life events (upsets). For every woman who does prepare, there are countless more who do not and who pay the price both financially and emotionally.

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*Up to $810 per week* working at home!


 

Consumer: womens news
 

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Single Moms - find here resources on financial aid, scholarships, help with basic needs, food, prescription drugs, health care, housing, legal info, and much more...

 

Basic Needs Resources

Find Information on Food and Basic Needs Programs, Support for Teens Faced with Unplanned Pregnancy, Support for Needy Moms and Their Children


Discover your personality type and what careers are best suited for you



School Breakfast Program

Provides nutritious breakfasts to promote learning readiness and healthy eating behaviors.


  School Meals

National School Lunch Program

Provides nutritious lunches and the opportunity to practice skills learned in classroom nutrition education.

Afterschool Snacks

Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program

Seamless Summer

Special Milk Program

Offers milk to children who do not have access to other meal programs.   read more...

Dr. Marie - Advice for Pet Owners

Dr. Marie has a passion to help pet owners, especially those who have tight financial constraints.

Ask your vet to write a prescription

If your pet is being prescribed medication you can ask your vet if they are willing to write a prescription so that you can have it filled at a human pharmacy.

Often the prices are significantly less expensive

Some vets will charge a prescription writing fee to do this, but some will quite happily do it for no charge.

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Food Supplement - Government Programs


Food Stamp Program

The Food Stamp Program helps low-income people and families buy the food they need for good health. You apply for benefits by completing a State application form. Benefits are provided on an electronic card that is used like an ATM card and accepted at most grocery stores.

10 Steps to help you fill your grocery bag through the food stamp program.


Learn if you or someone else might be eligible for food stamps. Call: 1-800-221-5689

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Valuable Help for Mothers and Children in Need

USDA sponsored Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC).

WIC provides Federal grants to States for supplemental foods, health care referrals, and nutrition education for low-income pregnant, breastfeeding, and non-breastfeeding postpartum women, and to infants and children up to age five who are found to be at nutritional risk.

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2-1-1 Connecting People in Need with Community Services

Call 211 for emergency help with affordable housing and basic human needs, help with addiction prevention programs for teenage children, help for aging parents, for identifying support groups, and much more (see below). Services are provided by United Way Worldwide and the Alliance for Information and Referral Systems (AIRS).

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Government Benefits

USDA sponsored Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC).

GovBenefits.gov is the official benefits website of the U.S. government, with information on over 1,000 benefit and assistance programs. Search government programs for Child Care/Child Support, Counseling, Disability Assistance, Education/Training, Energy Assistance, Food/Nutrition, Insurance, Living Assistance, Loan/Loan Repayment, Medicaid/Medicare, Social Security, Tax Assistance, Veterans-Active Duty, Volunteer Opportunities.

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Food Supplement - Private Programs


America’s Second Harvest


The Nation’s Food Bank Network, Provided by Tyson Foods Inc.

We currently have three national programs BackPack Program, Community Kitchens and Kids Cafe, these programs have been replicated at many of our network member food banks and food-rescue organizations.

Find programs available in your area.

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Angel Food Ministries

Angel Food Ministries is a non-profit, non-denominational organization dedicated to providing food relief and contributing to benevolent outreaches in communities throughout the United States.

By buying food from first rate suppliers at substantial volume discounts, Angel Food Ministries is able to provide families with approximately $65 worth of quality nutritious food for $30. Angel Food Ministries does not use out-of-date food or inferior products.

About the Food: Each month's menu is different and consists of fresh, frozen and packaged food. Angel Food is purchased from the nation’s top food suppliers. Providing quality, nutritious food at significant discounts on a regular basis is one practical way to give people a “hand up” during difficult times. The cost for a box of Angel Food is $30. There is no purchase limit for boxes of Angle Food. There are no applications or qualifications necessary to purchase.

View the Menu

*Up to $810 per week* working at home!


About the Value: Comparison shopping nationwide in various grocery stores has revealed that the average retail value for the same food items would be approximately $65. Generally, one box of Angel Food assists in feeding a family of four for about one week or a single senior citizen for almost a month.

About Specialty Boxes: Each month, Angel Food Ministries also offers “specialty boxes” of steak, chicken, pork or other foods. This bonus program affords participants additional food choices at a great value. There is no purchase limit for specialty boxes or bonus foods. There are no applications or qualifications necessary to purchase.

View the Menu


Food Stamp Program:
To better help families in need, Angel Food Ministries participates in the Food Stamp Program. This program is designed to help low-income families buy the food they need for good nutrition. Each month, by processing the most offline Food Stamp vouchers in the country, Angel Food is helping feed approximately 100,000 people in the United States.

More Information on Food Stamps

Purchasing Angel Food: There are no restrictions, conditions or forms to fill out to purchase Angel Food. The food relief program is open to one and all. Anyone may purchase an unlimited number of boxes of Angel Food by placing an order with a local Angel Food host site.

Find a Local Host Site

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Programs Providing For Basic Needs, Pregnancy Support


Modest Needs

Modest Needs exists:

To prevent otherwise financially self-sufficient individuals and families from entering the cycle of poverty, when this might be avoided with a small amount of well-timed financial assistance;
To restore the financial self-sufficiency of individuals who are willing to work but are temporarily unable to do so because they do not have the means to remit payment for a work-related expense;
To empower permanently disadvantaged individuals who otherwise live within their limited means to continue to live independently, despite a temporary, unexpected financial set-back; and
To strengthen small non-profit organizations by providing a forum whereby such organizations can apply directly to the general public for the help they need to complete the relatively inexpensive projects that will allow them to better serve their clients and the communities they exist to serve.

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The Nurturing Network (TNN)

The Nurturing Network is an international charitable organization that responds to the immediate and comprehensive needs of a woman facing the crisis of an unplanned pregnancy.

TNN - Who We Are - Whom We Serve - How We Network

Need Help? www.nurturingnetwork.org/needhelp.html
Phone 1-800-TNN-4MOM

Catholic Charities USA

Catholic Charities agencies serve people of all faiths. They provide a wide range of services, including services for single moms and children: housing, emergency services, health care, child care, adoption, counseling, financial assistance, food pantries, and other critical services.

Select your state from the drop down box, and find the services you need.

Some Charities have their own websites:
Catholic Charities, Diocese of Venice - FL
Catholic Charities Oklahoma
Catholic Charities of Los Angeles - CA
Catholic Charities Health and Human Services - OH
Catholic Charities, Archdiocese of Denver - CO, from the left side drop down menu select services.

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HHS Child Care

The Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) has made available $5 billion to States, Territories, and Tribes in fiscal year 2008. This program, authorized by the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act, and Section 418 of the Social Security Act, assists low-income families, families receiving temporary public assistance, and those transitioning from public assistance in obtaining child care so they can work or attend training/education.

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CHILD CARE RESOURCES

 

Find Child Care in Your Area.
Here is a recommended Checklist for choosing child care.
Child Care Information for Families.
Child Care for Federal Employees.

Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)

The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) assists eligible low income households with their heating and cooling energy costs, and, if the state chooses, to weatherize homes.

General Program Requirements:

In order to qualify for this benefit program, you must need financial assistance for home energy costs and your household's annual income before taxes must not exceed $15,315 if one person lives in the household; $20,535 if two people live in the household; $25,755 if three people live in the household; $30,975 if four people live in the household, etc.

Each state is responsible for administering and designing its own program, which includes determining eligibility requirements and providing assistance within Federal guidelines.

Read the guidelines.

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Weatherization Assistance Program for Low-Income Persons

DOE's Weatherization Assistance (Wx) Program is the nation's largest residential energy efficiency program. Its mission is to insulate the dwellings of low-income persons, particularly the elderly, persons with disabilities, families with children, high residential energy users, and households with a high energy burden, in order to conserve needed energy and to aid those persons least able to afford higher utility costs.


General Program Requirements:


One of the primary factors affecting eligibility is income. Depending on what state you live in, you are eligible for weatherization if your income falls below the "125% or 150% poverty level". Note, however, that some states use a third alternative to set eligibility if your income is less than 60% of the median income in your state; and minimum incomes for Hawaii and Alaska, respectively, are slightly higher. For more information about this program and a complete list of state agencies that can put you in contact with the nearest local weatherization agency.

This grant program is federally funded, but administered at the state and local level. Interested individuals can apply for assistance through more than 970 local community action agencies that provide weatherization services.

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Supplemental Security Income SSI

SSI is a Federal income supplement program funded by general tax revenues (not Social Security taxes); it is designed to help aged, blind, and disabled people, who have little or no income; and it provides cash to meet basic needs for food, clothing, and shelter.

Benefit Eligibility Screening Tool

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Print Coupons, Get a chance at a Grill & Groceries Package



Grillin' & Chillin' - Get $75.00 in Printable Coupons! Plus, Win a Grill & Groceries Package! A $3,500 Value!

 

Join the SingleMom.com forums. Share your tips, resources and experience with other single moms

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Top 8 Tips for Reducing Kids Screen Time This Summer

Reducing time spent in front of televisions and computers is one of the easiest ways to improve your family's health. Here are eight simple ways to limit screen time so you can help crank up your kids’ energy, re-charge their minds, and improve their health.

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What would you change?

Weekly Column, by Annette Bridges

Change -- some people dread it, and others can’t get enough. It may be much like the idiom, “One man’s trash is another man’s treasure.” When it comes to what we would alter or why we would make a modification, the answers vary because we all have different things we value, want, need and consider important.

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Being a Role Model

by Laurie Cesario-Overton

If I had to choose one sentence that would best describe what I feel parents need to learn, it would be this: Be your child's BEST ROLE MODEL in all the ways that truly count. Be your child's HERO. Whatever you do, do it for all the right reasons.

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How to Find the Best Car Loans for Single Moms

Financial Advice for Single Moms

The best car loans for single mothers might be just around the corner at your local car lot.

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3 Money Rules for Stay-at-Home Moms

As we all know, life is unpredictable. We lose jobs, get divorced and even become widowed...
Here are three steps stay-at-home parents should take to better manage their own and the family’s finances.

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You May Have Too Much Debt But You Also Have Options

How Life Works

If you feel like you're in over your head with personal debt, you're not alone. Millions of Americans have become overextended, many as a result of easy credit and the recessions. Credit cards, medical bills, personal loans and raising interest rates do not make a good financial mix.

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Could fat babies mean fat toddlers?

A new study from Harvard Medical School found that babies who gained weight quickly had a sharply higher risk of obesity. The study followed close to 600 babies and found those in the top quarter of weight for their length at 6 months had a 40 percent higher risk of obesity by age 3 than smaller babies.

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Crystal Bowersox - A Single Mom And A Real American Idol

Read how the amazing Crystal Bowersox. the runner-up of American Idol Season 9, handles fame and life as a single mom, raising her 17 month old son.

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5 Ways for Single Moms to Save Money

Single moms are always looking for ways to save money, and for good reason... It’s important to find ways to cut corners on the little things that perhaps you don’t think about too often, because those are usually where your biggest money drains are.

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Suze Orman's Recession Rescue Plan - helps you survive in times of financial crisis

OPRAH.com

Do you know what your family would do if you lost your job - or worse, your home? Financial expert Suze Orman is ready to help you devise a recession rescue plan to survive - and possibly thrive - during this deepening financial crisis...

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Your Just-in-Case Emergency Plan

by RealSimple

Who do you call if you can't make it home in time to meet the kids' bus? Who do you trust to take in your mail when you're on vacation? Who do you trust with the extra set of keys to your house?

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How to save $10,000

By Liz Pulliam Weston

If you were hoping for a list of small tweaks you could make in your spending to save $10,000 a year, sorry. The reality is that $10,000 is a lot of money. And saving big money usually means making big changes in the areas where we spend the most, such as: Housing, Transportation, Food.

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The Super, Sexy, Single Mom on a Budget

by Renee Rayles

A quick reference guide designed for the busy, single mom who has

little time to read while running the mom taxi, cooking dinner, helping with homework, and trying to fit in a date night every now and then.

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Single Mothers &
Male Role-Models / Mentors

Single mothers carry an enormous load of responsibility, especially those having sole and/or primary custody of minor children. They nourish, they nurture, they teach, they discipline, they shelter, they protect, and they provide… all without the assistance of another equally-invested adult.

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Mom's Obesity Raises Newborn's Heart Risk

from the National Institute of Health

The more obese a woman is when she becomes pregnant, the greater the likelihood that her newborn baby will have a congenital heart defect, a new study suggests. The finding raises concerns because 1 in 5 women are obese at the start of pregnancy in the United States.

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The 10-Ingredient Shopping Trip

By Tara Parker-Pope and Mark Bittman

... In his latest “How to Cook Everything” segment on the Today Show, New York Times food writer Mark Bittman makes it surprisingly easy to cook a week’s worth of dinners with just a 10-ingredient shopping trip.

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Your 5-minute guide to protecting your identity

20 steps to protect yourself from identity theft, and seven ways to clean up things if you become a victim.

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TheOnlineMom.com offers parents and consumers a guide to the top-rated, age-appropriate, kid-tested and parent-approved tech toys and gifts.

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Single Moms in the News

6 Best Celebrity Single Moms
Read about Halle Berry, Sandra Bullock, Michelle Williams, Reese Witherspoon, Kimora Lee Simmons, Mary-Louise Parker... read more

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Last Straw

by Jeff Kinney

For those wondering why tween boys don’t read very much, the answer is that more books aren’t like this...

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Madlynn is Kid of the Month

Stressed mothers may raise fat children

Youngsters seek escape from family problems in unhealthy food

Millions of poor children in the United States may be getting fat before age 10 because their mothers are stressed out and the youngsters seek escape in unhealthy comfort food...

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Alcohol Prevention Web Site for Middle School Students

The Cool Spot Helps Young Teens Resist Peer Pressure and Alcohol Bethesda, Md. – A new version of The Cool Spot, a youth alcohol prevention Web site, launched this week. The site, aimed at 11- to 13-year-olds, was created by The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

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10 Bad Habits That Lead to Debt Disaster

Little things add up fast. Learn from these mistakes and try these tips to start paying off your debt.

Sometimes the only way to stop a snowballing problem is to go back to the top of the hill and find out what started it. If you're up to your eyeballs in credit card debt, take a step back and recount your money missteps. Knowing your weaknesses could help prevent you from falling back into the bad-credit pit and show you a way out.

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Miss Manners

Minimalism is the cutting edge now. My decorator calls it Dorm Chic. Wait, you'll see, everyone will have this look in a year or two. And then maybe I'll go out and get myself some overstuffed chairs." ...

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7 Secrets to Raising a Happy Child

What Makes a Child Happy?

We all want the same things for our kids. We want them to grow up to love and be loved, to follow their dreams, to find success. Mostly, though, we want them to be happy. But just how much control do we have over our children's happiness? My son, Jake, now 7, has been a rather somber child since birth, while my 5-year-old, Sophie, is perennially sunny. Jake wakes up grumpy. Always has. Sophie, on the other hand, greets every day with a smile. Evident from infancy, their temperaments come, at least in part, from their genes. But that doesn't mean their ultimate happiness is predetermined, assures Bob Murray, PhD, author of Raising an Optimistic Child: A Proven Plan for Depression-Proofing Young Children - for Life (McGraw-Hill).

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