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

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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

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

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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.

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FAQs

What is the financial role of a mother? ›

The financial implications of motherhood means moms must adjust their finances to fit the needs of their growing family whether they are a mom in the labor force or a stay-at-home mom. A working mom combines a career with the responsibility of raising a family.

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What is one area of your finances that you would like to improve? ›

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What every woman should know about finances? ›

Ideally, you should try to save at least 15% of your salary every year. This is particularly sound advice for women, who tend to live longer than men and can be at greater risk of outliving their assets. But the wage gap can make saving difficult.

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 are the financial responsibilities of a parent? ›

Child support is a legal obligation that a biological parent has for providing for the basic living expenses of a child: food, clothing, shelter, health care and education. It is a noncustodial parent's financial obligation to make monthly or periodic payments to a custodial parent.

What to say to someone who is struggling financially? ›

Reassuring someone that they don't have to bottle things up and pretend that everything is fine can be a real comfort, especially if they're going through a tough time financially. Being patient and empathetic may also help them take the necessary steps towards getting debt help.

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If you're living at home and see your parent or parents behaving recklessly with their money, it may be time to let them grow up. Cut the cord. Or, at least decide how much you can afford to help and contribute only that amount. Helping your parents is a good thing.

How to turn your life around financially? ›

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7 financial habits to help make you smarter with your money
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What is the best budget advice? ›

Try the 50/30/20 rule as a simple budgeting framework. Allow up to 50% of your income for needs, including debt minimums. Leave 30% of your income for wants. Commit 20% of your income to savings and debt repayment beyond minimums.

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What personality traits affect your finances? ›

There are five main personality traits that researchers often look at when assessing someone's financial status: conscientiousness, agreeableness, neuroticism, openness to experience and extraversion. These traits can help shape how you handle money in various ways.

What are financial secrets in a relationship? ›

Reasons for keeping those secrets range from wanting to maintain financial independence, to embarrassment over spending habits, to saying it simply never came up. Money can be a stressful topic in any relationship. But not all couples have open communication when it comes to their finances - some are hiding things.

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 you responsible for your parents financially? ›

Some states only require you to care for your parents if you are financially able. The law will include the criteria to determine if you are able. Some states' requirements are based on your parent's age, while others only apply if your parent can't pay and will not receive any help from insurance.

Are children responsible for parents financially? ›

Filial responsibility laws (filial support laws, filial piety laws) are laws in the United States that impose a duty, usually upon adult children, for the support of their impoverished parents or other relatives. In some cases the duty is extended to other relatives.

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