Single Or Married: Ways To Ensure Your Financial Stability!

Francois Morency once wisely said, “What are the three words guaranteed to humiliate men everywhere, ‘Hold my purse’.” Funny words indeed, especially in this day and age as women strive to live independently, in a still mostly male dominated society. Is it possible for women to gain financial independence, whether they are married or single? I certainly believe so!

Nothing breaks up a relationship more often than money. This subject is a very touchy one, and many of your friends don’t even know how to discuss money with their spouses or partners. Money drives a wedge between partners if not dealt with properly.

The thing is, women usually make less money than men, and often times after a divorce, are thrown into poverty. Men, on the other hand, always seem to bounce back faster and land on their feet unscathed if there is a divorce.

That is why I would always suggest that a woman have a stash of dough just for herself, put away where no one knows about it—especially not her children. In case you do go through a divorce, you and your children will not be left stranded on the streets.

“But Sandy, how am I supposed to hide money from Donovan and not tell him the exact truth about my financial situation,” my good friend Jacqui once asked. “I mean, when we got married we promised to be truthful to each other in every way shape or form.

“I am not encouraging you to break your marriage vows,” I said to her. “All I am saying is that you should cover your behind just in case something crops up that you did not plan. There is nothing wrong with taking care of yourself financially in an independent way.

“Most men agree with this and if he loves you, he will understand,” I added.

Okay, let’s get this straight; I am not saying to take from your children’s mouths or your husband’s belly during marriage. However, there are a few ways that you can ensure that just in case you ever go through a divorce or separation, you are not thrown into a shelter. Living in your parents’ basement for the rest of your life is also not a wonderful arrangement.

There are many ways to skin a cat, and you can certainly save during the years without hurting the family. One good way is to buy store-brand products while doing the grocery shopping, or even having a little home business of your own while doing your job as a stay-at-home mom.

Okay, so you might feel a little funny skimming a little off the top from the grocery money, but think of it as sealing the deal in you making sure that you are not left in dire need if you ever go through a divorce.

As a single woman, especially with children, it is even more important that you keep some money for yourself.

The life of a single gal is never easy, as all the bills are your responsibility. The cable bill, the car payment, the rent, and of course you have to eat and look presentable at the same time. With no one to share the bills with, life will not be easy, so you need to step up your game a bit.

Get a life insurance policy, open a savings account, cut back on the hair and nail visits, and look at your financial life as a job. No one will care about your well-being but you, so therefore you must show some care about your own financial stability.

If you are married, open up an account somewhere your husband does not know about and won’t suspect. How often have you seen that woman who lives with her husband for a number of years, and if she ever gets a divorce, she has no leg to stand on and nothing but a prayer by her side to make it? Don’t be a statistic! Put aside some dough for yourself; more than likely, he is doing so too, without you even knowing about it.

Sandy Daley is a columnist, radio and television personality and actress. She is also the author of “Whose Vagina Is It, Really?” She can be contacted at: Website: www.sandydaley.com, Facebook: womanincontrol@facebook.com, Twitter: twitter.com/whosevaginaisit and/or Email:thesinglegirlspot@gmail.com.