The Best Thing You Can Do for Your Finances - What Mommy Does (2024)

Shared on 11 Comments

3K Shares

As a CPA, I know how important it is to have your finances under control.

Even though I have been trained to use complicated strategies to managing money, I don’t actually do anything complicated when it comes to my money.

The Best Thing You Can Do for Your Finances - What Mommy Does (1)

In fact, there is one thing I recommend that everyone do that is quite simple, but I don’t think many people do it:

Open a second savings account

Before you say, “That’s stupid” and leave because you’re angry that I made you come read this post to find out my super secret tip, hold on a second!

Let’s look at the reasons why I recommend this.

Why should you have two savings accounts?

  • This protects you from over drafting your checking account without dipping into savings set aside for true emergencies like a job loss.
  • It helps you pay for unexpected expenses like car or household repairs without using credit cards.
  • It gives you peace of mind so you don’t have to always worry about money.

Let Me Explain

Most people I know have one savings account, but we have two. We keep the first one topped off at $10,000.

That’s the amount we’re comfortable we make our essential bill payments with (mortgage, insurance, etc) for several months if my husband were to lose his job.

Our second account is a savings account we also like to keep at around $10,000, but it’s one we’re allowed to use to fund unexpected things like an air conditioning replacement, car repairs, donations, etc. It allows us to be flexible with our spending and absorb rather large expenses without touching our credit cards.

The best thing about having a second checking account is the flexibility it gives you with your finances. The ONLY time I ever stress out about money is when our secondary savings account starts to get low.

But you know what I do then? I figure out ways to make more money so we can top it off.

Do you have a second savings account? If not, what do you think of my idea?

Continue the journey >> The Second Best Thing You Can Do for Your Finances

Recommended Reading

  • 7 Ways You Can Make an Extra $800 per Month
  • 15 Household Items You Can Sell Right Now for Extra Cash
  • 5 Little Words That Will Save You Thousands of Dollars
  • The Best Way to Get Everything at a Discount

The Best Thing You Can Do for Your Finances - What Mommy Does (2)

  • Author
  • Recent Posts

Follow me

Lena Gott

I'm a CPA turned SAHM of 3 little ones ages 4, 6, and 9. I'm a mommy by day, blogger by night. Join me as I write about fun kids activities, family finances, and losing 50 lbs after baby #3.

Follow me

Latest posts by Lena Gott (see all)

  • 30 Non-Toy Christmas Gift Ideas for Kids - 10/31/2023
  • 50+ Fun Family Christmas Gift Ideas for Every Budget - 10/31/2023
  • 19+ Creative Birthday Money Gifts - 08/04/2023

3K Shares

The Best Thing You Can Do for Your Finances - What Mommy Does (3)

Don’t Miss the Latest

30 Non-Toy Christmas Gift Ideas for Kids

When I wrote about giving away most of my kids’ toys before Christmas, I bet I made a lot of people wonder if I would be giving them replacement toys for Christmas. Here’s the thing – I never want to get back into that spot where I felt like I needed to throwKeep Reading

50+ Fun Family Christmas Gift Ideas for Every Budget

Every October / November, I find myself scratching my head over whether or not I should buy certain people gifts. I LOVE giving gifts, but sometimes the overwhelming nature of the holiday season gets to me… ….and I kinda panic. I like to get my closest neighbors a small gift of some kind thatKeep Reading

23+ Best Pumpkin Baby Shower Ideas

If you are lucky enough to host a baby shower in the fall, a pumpkin themed baby shower is not only adorable, but easy to put together. Whether the baby will be born during the fall season or if the celebration happens to be during fall, choosing pumpkins as a baby shower theme will giveKeep Reading

19+ Creative Birthday Money Gifts

A cash gift is always an easy way to please a teen family member, college students, or even that one person that is so hard to find the right gift for. I know that every time I gave one of my young nephews a $5 bill and took them to the dollar store theyKeep Reading

The Best Thing You Can Do for Your Finances - What Mommy Does (2024)

FAQs

What is the financial role of a mother? ›

Motherhood comes with a whole new set of responsibilities, including now being responsible for someone else's financial wellbeing. Not only has it changed how I spend and invest my money, but it's made me reflect on how my attitude to finance will also inform how my son approaches it down the line.

How can I help my financially struggling parents? ›

5 Ways to Financially Support Elderly Parents
  1. Provide them with financing. ...
  2. Hire an outside planner to manage care and finances. ...
  3. Look for government savings. ...
  4. Set your parents up with a private reverse mortgage. ...
  5. Invite your parents to stay in an “in-law” apartment on your property.
Sep 4, 2023

What is some of the best advice your mother ever gave you? ›

'” “The best piece of advice my mom ever gave me was to be kind, especially in the face of someone else's anger. She said that kindness creates a ripple effect we often cannot see and that anger is often fear in disguise. The best way to counterbalance it is through kindness.”

What is the financial value of a stay at home mom? ›

Depending on the size of the home, family, pets, and numerous other conditions, a stay-at-home parent may work upwards of 98 hours a week. According to 2019 data from Salary.com, if you are a stay-at-home parent and paid for your services, you would be looking at a median annual salary of $178,201.

What are the three most important role of a mother? ›

To give just a few examples, mothers give their children psychological support and empathy, teach them moral values, and mediate how they interact with their siblings and their fathers.

What is the financial responsibility of being a parent? ›

In California, fathers not married to their child's mother and who are the child's biological or legal parent typically must pay child support until the child turns 18, although some exceptions may exist.

How can I get money if I'm struggling? ›

Facing financial hardship
  • Food assistance. ...
  • Unemployment benefits. ...
  • Welfare benefits or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) ...
  • Emergency housing assistance. ...
  • Rental assistance. ...
  • Help with utility bills. ...
  • Government home repair assistance programs.

How do I stop struggling financially? ›

In this article:
  1. Identify the problem.
  2. Make a budget to help you resolve your financial problems.
  3. Lower your expenses.
  4. Pay in cash.
  5. Stop taking on debt to avoid aggravating your financial problems.
  6. Avoid buying new.
  7. Meet with your advisor to discuss your financial problems.
  8. Increase your income.
Jan 29, 2024

What is a good enough mother Counselling? ›

The 'good enough mother' would be one who consistently meets the needs of the infant, but does not do so with absolute perfection. This allows space for the infant to develop a sense of themselves as autonomous and separate from their mother.

What is the best advice a mother can give her daughter? ›

Think before you speak to someone; about how your words will make them feel, provide encouragement, or help them to think. Learn how to do something to support yourself while you pursue your musical career. Marry your friend. Passion may come and go, but you'll always remember that you were friends first.

How much should a stay-at-home mom make per year? ›

According to a survey from Salary.com, stay-at-home moms should earn upwards of $162,581 per year. All those early mornings and late nights mean mom could be pulling in a pretty nice salary — you know, if she was actually getting paid.

What does the average stay-at-home mom do? ›

What SAHMs Do. A stay-at-home mom works many jobs throughout the day. They're a nurse, chauffeur, chef, teacher, playmate, housekeeper, laundry attendant, accountant, and babysitter all rolled into one. While there's no such thing as a typical day, this sample schedule gives you an idea of what her day involves.

What is a good way for a stay-at-home mom to make money? ›

Here are some of the best flexible jobs for stay-at-home parents:
  • Freelance writing. ...
  • Selling your expertise. ...
  • Data entry. ...
  • Customer service rep. ...
  • Tutoring. ...
  • Test products or take surveys. ...
  • Selling used goods. ...
  • Selling homemade items.
Jan 5, 2024

Am I financially responsible for my mother? ›

Filial laws require children to provide for parents' basic needs such as food, housing, and medical care. The extent of filial responsibility varies by state, along with conditions that make it enforceable including the parent's age and the adult child's financial situation.

Are children responsible for parents financially? ›

More than half of all states currently have laws in place making adult children financially responsible for their parents. This includes their long-term care costs and other medical bills. However, the upside is that authorities rarely enforce these laws.

Am I responsible for my parents finances? ›

Family members often worry that they may be responsible for repaying these debts, but the good news is that they are not transferrable. This is a common concern, but even if you have financial power of attorney (POA) for a parent, you are not liable for their debts.

Why is it important for parents to be financially stable? ›

Financial stability enables families to access safe housing, healthy foods, and other necessities, to engage fully in their communities, and to plan for the future.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Jeremiah Abshire

Last Updated:

Views: 6283

Rating: 4.3 / 5 (74 voted)

Reviews: 89% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Jeremiah Abshire

Birthday: 1993-09-14

Address: Apt. 425 92748 Jannie Centers, Port Nikitaville, VT 82110

Phone: +8096210939894

Job: Lead Healthcare Manager

Hobby: Watching movies, Watching movies, Knapping, LARPing, Coffee roasting, Lacemaking, Gaming

Introduction: My name is Jeremiah Abshire, I am a outstanding, kind, clever, hilarious, curious, hilarious, outstanding person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.