Why it’s important to know how to manage your money

In 2018, my two kids and I lived on less than $40,000.

It was incredibly challenging.

I know many single mums find themselves in a similar position and that’s why you need to know how to manage your money and develop a good understanding of your finances.

During my separation and divorce, the family home was sold and I lost my six-figure salary (I had been in business with my ex). My financial situation felt pretty bleak and that $40k was a combination of my salary and money from my divorce settlement.

We’ve all heard about women living with their kids in shelters or in their cars. It’s such a sad situation, but I think most women would think – “that could never happen to me!”

But my experience has shown me how easily this could happen to any woman, given the wrong set of circumstances and lack of support.

When I look back now, I recognise that I got through the year thanks mainly to three things:

1. My strong faith
2. My support people and
3. Taking care of my health

I also had to make some difficult choices.

Although I could have taken a job in the city earning a good salary, I knew I didn’t want to take the kids away from our family, their school and community.

While I could’ve decided to rent a big house like our family home, it would have only been to maintain appearances. I felt the best course of action was to reduce our overheads, really simplify everything and take some time to gather myself.

We downsized into Evie

If you’ve been part of my community for a while, you’ve probably heard me talk fondly about Evie. She’s the vintage 50s caravan the kids and I lived in last year.

Although living in a caravan might sound like a nightmare to some people, we really embraced the experience and truly viewed it as an adventure.

I was very lucky that my beautiful sister invited us to bring Evie to her property and live there. This felt safe and allowed us to bring our living costs right down. I moved a lot of our stuff into storage and took the essentials – although there were times in our cosy Evie that it still felt like we had a little too much stuff!

The kids loved living Evie and they made me so proud.

I went back to hairdressing

Before my divorce, I had worked as a hairdresser in some of the country’s top salons. I knew I needed a job, but it was so hard stepping back into that life.

After everything I had been through, I was physically and emotionally depleted. I had no belief in myself and it took a lot of courage to start working again. Although I knew I had been a great hairdresser, I didn’t feel like that person anymore.

I started working three days a week and as my confidence grew, so did the pull inside me to do something more. I love hairdressing and the connections I can make, but I was determined to use my skills in digital education to create a business where I could work flexibly around my children and do meaningful work.

That’s when Hiddy & Co was born. I had been through the fire and out the other side and had learnt so much along the way.

Now I create transformational digital courses to help women embrace slow and simple living, while being more fulfilled and achieving more than ever before.

I focused on gratitude

During that year, despite the challenges we faced, I kept coming back to a place of gratitude. I had my amazing support people, I had a roof over my head, my kids and I were together.

Although there were times that were shit, I knew how lucky I was that I had four or five people in my life who knew everything about my situation and I could rely on them for help and emotional support.

I had to have faith and keep going. I could have been paralysed with fear (and sometimes I was), but I knew it was up to me to walk through it. It was scary, and although I had support, I knew no one else could do it but me.

Little by little I saw progress in my finances, and I kept reminding myself how far I had come.

I simplified and slowed down

When did we all get so busy?

Before everything changed, I was super-busy too. I was working 60+ hours a week and being a mama as well. But after my separation, I was heartbroken and fatigued and didn’t have the strength or desire to keep going at that pace.

It was such a life-changing revelation to learn I didn’t have to! And neither do you.

Here’s something super important you need to know:

You must look after yourself. It isn’t optional.

If you need support, it’s not weak to ask for it. It takes great strength to talk to medical professionals and people who can work with you to move towards the kind of life you deserve and dream of.

And I’m here for you, too.

It’s not lazy to rest and it’s not selfish to take care of yourself. You can’t pour from an empty cup, so you need to rediscover what fills yours.

Have you ever visualised a slower, simpler life for yourself? 

It might seem impossible, but I promise, you can slow down. I’d love to help you kick-start your slow-down journey. I’m super excited to share some easy, practical lessons you can implement in your life right now. If you are keen to slow down but not sure where to start, join in with my free challenge here. This is an opportunity for you to experiment and find your most suitable way for regularly initiating self love into your life.

Grab the rules for #hiddysslowdowndare here and become part of my beautiful, supportive online community as we simplify our lives and focus on our mission to slowing down and saying goodbye to the rush, once and for all!  Make slowing no longer a hassle for you, but rather, part of your everyday.

Thank you so much for being here and for adding your perspective. I’d love to hear how you feel and what you think.

Blessings, Hiddy xx

P.S. Please share this post with someone you love, because they might be in need of some slowing fun today too!