by Lisa Kates

Created on: March 09, 2009   Last Updated: September 17, 2009

Learning to live on less was necessary when I became a single mother. Giving up luxuries and living on less attributed to my resolve to be financially responsible for my family. My most important goal was ensuring that my three children had stability. Remaining in our house and maintaining existing routines within familiar surroundings was a vital part of my plan.

We rented a comfortable house in an established neighborhood. When we moved in the house had been freshly painted, equipped with new appliances and there was a finished basement for the kids to play in.The rent was very reasonable and we were extremely fortunate to have the opportunity to live in a house with a backyard in a friendly neighborhood.

After my divorce I had very little money and did not know how I would be able to afford to pay the rent and the bills. It was also essential to me that my children eat healthy food. My children considered this their home and to have to leave would have devastated them. They had their conventional two parent family taken away from them. I was determined not to have their home taken away also.

When you have a goal even though it may seem unattainable you somehow find the wisdom and the fortitude to make it happen and that is what I did. The days of having " extra money " were over and every dollar had to be accounted for . Learning to live on less is exactly that. Suddenly you find yourself in a situation that is different than what you are used to .When you have a family that depends on you for their security you have to show them you are strong and can weather the change in financial circumstances. Even if you feel vulnerable and are uncertain about the path that lies ahead you have to keep that to yourself. Your children deserve their childhoods and their best chance at school. If you can learn to live on less they will take their cues from you and known that life does go on.

I worked in a very busy cafe and made a modest salary but saved all my tips in a big jar. As the tips filled the jar I was able to take some out every week for my kid's bus fare. I also used those tips to pay for school supplies and even the occasional treat such as a chocolate bar or bag of potato chips. My tips consisted of Canadian one dollar and two dollar coins which added up quickly. Even though I would have loved to have bought lip gloss or other personal items the kids came first.

I squeezed every necessity out of that tip jar I could so that I would not have to spend my weekly

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