How To Spend Less Money During And After A Divorce

I want to offer some advice on how to spend less money during and after a divorce.

Here’s reality: You and your ex are now living in separate homes, which means two rents or mortgages. All the utilities that used to be for one home are now for two. Next are the exorbitant, obscene legal bills that you are receiving every month, and if you are smart, you are now seeing a therapist, which costs more. And let’s not forget medical costs. Maybe you have to go out and get your own insurance, now that you can’t be on your spouse’s plan. And what about the settlement? You now have half of what you had with your ex.

Feel like jumping off a ledge? Don’t.

Things have a way of working themselves out and they will for you, too. You just have to be strong and make good, responsible decisions. That includes financial decisions.

I can’t really help with the big stuff, but I want to give you some financial advice that might make a difference and help you manage finances a little better during and after divorce.

Here are 8 ways to spend less money during and after divorce:

1. Cut your Starbucks runs to once or twice a week:

Let’s say you spend $4 everyday you get your Starbucks fix. That means you are spending $120 per month just on coffee. If you allow yourself two trips to Starbucks a week, you’re now at $32. That means you are saving $1056 per year! Plus, I find that if I go to Starbucks less often, I appreciate it more and it tastes better.

2. Get rid of some of your cable stations:

Do you really need the whole package, with every single cable channel available? Ladies, are you really watching ESPN Red Zone? Guys, do you really need six different movie channels? Look into a cheaper package. Plus, less TV is good! It will make you watch the news more, read more, and maybe even sleep more! Tip: do not get rid of Showtime or you won’t be able to watch Homeland!!

3. Stop buying bottled water:

At $2.79 for a bottle of water, you could be spending $55.80 a month if you buy 5 bottles a week (one every day with lunch.) Instead, invest in a glass water bottle (the best ones are at Whole Foods) for $15 and use that!  You are saving $669 per year.

4.    Stop impulse buying:

I have had this rule for years. If I see something I love and it’s over $50, I make myself wait 24 hours before going back to get it. If you do this, most likely you get home and you look in your closet and realize you have something really similar, and that you don’t need it. But when you do go back to get it, you are so appreciative and happy, and you will never have buyer’s remorse. 

 5.    Take advantage of free kindle books:

Did you know there are hundreds of free kindle books available to download every day? Authors (like me) who want to get exposure to their book offer a free day every once in awhile. There are sites you can go to that will list all the free books of the day. If you typically buy two books a month, you will save $239 for the year.

6.    Put $20 in a jar every Friday and put it somewhere where you won’t see it:

Think about it. You go to the cash station and get out $200, so you have all these twenties. You won’t miss one by putting it into a shoebox. Time goes by so fast, that before you know it, a year goes by and you have $1040!!

 7.    Cut back on manicures:

Don’t get me wrong. I’m all about the importance of trying to look the best you can, but I find that a manicure every other week is just as effective as one a week. All you have to do is take off the polish and do a quick filing and your cuticles are good for another week. Plus, it’s nice to have polish off your nails from time to time. Another bonus, you have an extra hour once a week!! The best part, you are saving: $390 for the year!

8. Never go to the grocery store hungry:

Eat before you shop. If you do that, you are less likely to grab things off the shelf like you are shopping for a year. You won’t buy as much junk food either, and I’d be willing to bet your bill is $50 less every time. Over a year period, that is a savings of $2600.

So, adding these ten things up, I just saved you: $5994, and that doesn’t even include getting rid of some of your cable stations or  curbing impulse buying.

The financial part of divorce is probably one of the scariest parts. It’s a time when you really have to be smart and make really responsible decisions. Taking little steps to do what is in your control helps so much more than you think.

Like this article? Check out, “Financial Planning for Divorce”

Editor-in-chief: Jackie Pilossoph

Jackie Pilossoph is the Founder of Divorced Girl Smiling, the media company that connects people facing with divorce to trusted, vetted divorce professionals. Pilossoph is a former NBC affiliate television journalist and Chicago Tribune/Pioneer Press features reporter. Her syndicated column, Love Essentially was published in the Chicago Tribune/Pioneer Press and Tribune owned publications for 7 1/2 years. Pilossoph holds a Masters degree in journalism from Boston University. Learn more at: DivorcedGirlSmiling.com