If you’re looking for sneaky or aggressive ways to shake money from your soon-to-be ex, click off this post and look elsewhere. But if you’re going through a divorce, and are stressed about money, keep reading. And if you are going through a divorce, or are divorced, there is a very good chance that financial issues are top of your stress list.
Research finds that divorce ranks as one of the most stressful life events, financial matters top the list of things that stress out divorcing people. It is no wonder why, as divorced women statistically struggle financially after divorce. A few years ago Census Bureau data found that divorced women earn less and are less likely to live independently.
Income, retirement savings and credit all disproportionally are hit for women, when compared with men. For long-term planning and strategy for building an incredible life on your own terms, and with your own, big money, read my popular post: 11 financial steps for thriving as a single mom, or read my #1 bestselling book, The Kickass Single Mom.
If you need some quick cash to get you by this month and next, here are some excellent (and legal!) ways to make some real money, right away.
Image Credit: DepositPhotos.com.
1. Sell your engagement ring
Look, I know you used to love it, and maybe still do. But trust me: you kids don’t want a piece of jewelry that represents a marriage that went down in flames. Just get rid of the thing
https://www.wealthysinglemommy.com/sell-engagement-ring-divorce-get-divorce/
, take the money, pay your bills, do something fabulous with it, just move on. I’ve researched all the places to sell fine jewelry, and Worthy stands out, hands down.Image Credit: misscherrygolightly / Getty.
2. Sell other jewelry & watches
I understand how sentimental jewelry can be. But if you’re not wearing it, don’t enjoy it, or otherwise have skeezy feelings about fine jewelry (including items that are inherited and estate items, watches, loose diamonds, gold, or gifts from other people [other dudes, perhaps?!], that is untapped cash sitting in your jewelry box or safe, and it needs to go.
Image Credit: Rebecca W./yelp.com.
3. Sell your wedding dress
I get that feel sentimental about it, worry your kids will want to see it, or wear it one day. Yet there was heartbreak, and the union is over. Down in flames, maybe. So many conflicting feelings about that gown. Let me help you out here. Sell the thing. Here is a whole post about ways to unburden yourself by purging your wedding dress. My favorite online site for selling your wedding dress is NearlyNewlywed.
Image Credit: g-stockstudio/istockphoto.
4. Sell stuff you don’t need
Garage sales, tag sales, Craigslist, Facebook Market are all great ways to sell locally. Gazelle or DeCluttr.com are great apps to help you sell old smartphones, computers, books, video games, DVDs and CDs, and tablets. Thredup helps you sell quality clothes, shoes and accessories online (but don’t be tempted to turn your profits into purchases — this site has great stuff!)
Image Credit: UberImages / iStock.
5. Refinance debt
Credit card, student loans, personal loans, mortgage, car note. This might take a couple months to sort out, but by smartly consolidating or refinancing loans, you can save big bucks each month debt repayment. If your credit score has seen better days, work right now on improving it.
Image Credit: photon64/istockphoto.
6. Get a side gig and get your hustle on
Turn any extra time you have into cash. This post explains 101 ways to make extra money, including side gigs: 101 ways to make money right now (most from home!). One of my favorite single-mom resources in the world is FlexJobs, a site started by a mom, to help others find remote, telecommute, and flexible jobs, including high-paying professional career positions.
Image Credit: Depositphotos.
7. Update your car, and homeowners or renters insurance
I realized that I was paying a $100 homeowners insurance rider for my now-sold engagement ring — three years too late! If you are still in the same home you lived in with your ex, you are probably still on the same homeowners’ policy. Have you called your broker and revisited it? Think about all the stuff your ex-owned, and was insured — vehicles, electronics, musical instruments, watches, and jewelry. Even just his clothes added value to the household, and therefore the insurance premium. Same with car insurance. He moved out — call your broker and reduce that bill! BAM.
Image Credit: designer491 / iStock.
8. Switch to a more affordable car
If your ride is more than you can afford, time to downgrade. I appreciate that you might love your wheels, but you love financial independence and the lower stress that goes with it! Read my post: Car buying for women for everything you need to know.
Image Credit: SrdjanPav.
9. Spend unused gift cards
Literally, unused cash sitting in your wallet or desk drawer. Be careful not to spend more than the gift!
Image Credit: DepositPhotos.com.
10. Spend points and miles
Does your credit card, grocery or drug store, or airline have points that you can use as cash? Stop hoarding them for something special (or because those points programs can be annoyingly complicated) and sit down and find a way to cash them it to pay for some basics.
Image Credit: DepositPhotos.com.
11. Kick him off your cell phone plan
Be nice and let him know ahead of time.
Image Credit: DepositPhotos.com.
12. Unload the storage unit
Most especially if it is full of his stuff. BAM.
Image Credit: Hero Images/Getty Images.
13. Make sure that all the assets you are owed are in fact transferred to you
When I was going through my own divorce, every step was so emotionally training, mentally painful, and financially exhausting.
There were weeks and even months when I procrastinated on taking the next step because I knew it would be yet another battle, more lawyers bills, and a cesspool of old emotional trauma that I’d have to relive.
That said: Press on, mama!
The sooner you wrap up the legal part of your divorce, the sooner those attorney bills stop arriving in your mailbox, and the sooner any money coming your way will, in fact, come your way.
This includes:
- Make sure any child support and extras are calculated and being paid automatically to your bank account via your ex’s bank account
- Real estate issues: Make sure that any steps regarding your home or other real estate are underway: Refinancing the home in the name of either your or your ex, list the home (or other property) for sale so you can get your share of the equity, or otherwise unburden yourself legally from any real estate debt
- If you own cars, ensure that one is in your name only, and you are not on the hook for any car note that should be his.
This article originally appeared on WealthySingleMommy.com and was syndicated by MediaFeed.org.
Image Credit: Poike.
