7 Tips for Managing Your Money Alone 

You give me hope that after 44 years living with my late partner, I'll be able to fly solo the rest of my days.

Hello, I have already watched three of your videos . I am a solo woman that needed a breath of fresh air of practical common sense in the world of growing older alone. Your Great! Thank you

Financial planning is like navigation. If you know where you are and where you want to go, navigation isn't such a great problem. It's when you don't know the two points that it's difficult

Living newly single, alone for the first time after 52 years of marriage. Retired 9 years ago, taking less to retire early to spend time as a couple. Long story short, my divorce will be final in 3 weeks. Your advice has been very helpful for some aspects of my "new" life style.

I am coming from extremely poor background. Think like great depression. Correspondingly my money attitude is from there. I never had any debt. I bought last month a condo with cash. I am extremely debt averse. And I don't eat out, I hate travelling, I love biking, I love hicking in the forest. My life style is like in my student years, although I am engineer with good carriere. I don't feel like I am missing out on anything. So I am kinda very different with this blogger, but I agree 10000% with the statement, that peace of mind is the most important thing in the money game. So I guess whatever gives you the peace of mind.

Very, very informative. And so HONEST. We're not all perfect, and the 'experts' are not one size fits all!!!

You are very fortunate to be Canadian, regarding that pay equity review. There is no such thing in the US. I did a report on Canadian Pay Equity when I worked at the General Accounting Office many years ago. I was privileged to travel to your lovely country and talk with many government officials regarding your pay equity laws. A wonderful experience!!

I like your personalized way you live your life. It makes sense. I think I'll use some of your tips. ❤

I have made so many money mistakes. Left home at 18 years old, this was back in 70s when it cost that much. I bought everything New, had very little growing up. When I got married we lived paycheck to paycheck. Again we didn’t talk about money I paid the Bills, After the divorce I had nothing. I’m 67 years old first time have savings, my car is 9 years old low mileage. I’m living in house I grew up in if I didn’t have this I would be living in my car. So many money mistakes they should be teaching in School because Parents are making all the mistakes.

I live in the USA. I’m retired and have Medicare and Tricare as my hubby is retired Military. My medical bills as well as prescription bills just don’t exist. I do realize that I am one of the fortunate ones.

Youre a blessing for us single women. Thank you for sharing your insights

I think we all need more than one credit card especially if you travel. If one gets compromised, you need a backup.

It is certainly true that having no debt is ideal, but obtaining some things in life require assuming debt for the average person. If I had waited to save up the cost of my first house before I bought it with a mortgage, I would never have owned a home. And travel is another thing I am willing to go into debt to obtain, now that I am over 60. There are places I want to experience and if I waited to first save up the cost of the trips, I would never take them. So I travel now, while I have the health to do so. I can pay off the debt later, when I am stuck at home with poor health! But as you say, we should each make the financial choices we think best for ourselves. No one set of financial rules work all the time for everyone. Keep up the great work on your channel !

I’m glad to know there are other people who don’t follow all the “expert’s” advice.

You are so correct!!!! I use a few of your ideas but I have differences that feel right for my lifestyle. For me, a savings account is the most important Idea. I also budget for EVERYTHING! Even for a disposible account. I have been doing this even when I was married.

I’m learning to thrive and not just survive.

I do a monthly, quarterly, and yearly budget and track my spending. It really helps me know where I am at all times.

The years I have been living alone, has been the best ones in my life. I am lucky to live in Norway so we dont need healt insurance and stuff like that. I have paid of my house and have no property tax where I live. I have my dog and he is much better company than a man. 🙂

Never never never have I had anyone admit to me that as a single person I could (statistically) only ever be half as well off as any other 2 income couple out there. Instead I have often been criticized for not having as much or being as successful as that couple. Even when I say ‘so is one income the same as two’, I only get scoffed at and called stupid.

Thanks for sharing. It is frustrating that there is not more information out there for singles and how to prepare for retirement, particularly for women. RU-vid financial advisors seem to focus on couples with high incomes, very frustrating.

I’m 72, married and totally engaged in your videos. My husband is a couple of years older than I am, and his health and genetics lean to him passing before me. I’m often mentally surveying our life, making observations about what I can and can’t do, and what I should learn. Even if I don’t do some of those tasks, knowing how they’re done will give me confidence. I’ve always stayed current with the digital world, and manage our finances. After watching and listening to your tips and advice, I’m feeling pretty good about my chances should I find myself on my own. Thank you for taking the time to share you wisdom.

I can relate. I’ve lived my entire life single too. My cost of living is so cheap here in the Philippines, I don’t need to budget. But I have started writing down all of my expenses. It’s so easy for me to spend more money when I’m not tracking my expenses, and it’s fun to see just how little I can spend in a day. I’m living off savings until I retire in November and my plan is to continue living frugally here once I do retire. I spend about $250 a month for all of my usual expenses, which will mean a huge percentage of my retirement income will go into savings and investments. I am “so” looking forward to that as I was never able to get ahead living and working in the USA as a single guy. But now I can see that opportunity will finally be here. One of the things I am planning to invest in is gold. You are so right about having an emergency fund. It provides one with a huge peace of mind. I have also lived both ways, with and without. I think it’s one of the reasons I love living here in the Philippines, because my money goes a lot further here, and because of that, I am able to save money and not only live off of my savings, but have an emergency fund. I think people should seriously consider not having a vehicle. I was able to do that in the US by living in cities with good transportation. It doesn’t work unless you have that. I became a fan of this car less lifestyle while living in NYC. I’ve always made sure wherever I’ve lived that I can get around without requiring any personal vehicle. It seriously reduces one’s expenses if they’re not getting overcharged for alternative transportation like buses. Here in the Philippines public transport is very cheap, but I don’t really ever need it as I live in a smallish city neighborhood where I walk everywhere I need to go.

I had the same pay situation in the US in an high tech, international company. I was told by my manager (5th one in 3 years - they had never had a Director of Training and had no idea what all I could do for them), that when he mentioned that I hadn't gotten a raise in several years, the Head of Department said that I didn't need one - I was a woman! Apparently, even though that man HAD been my first manager, he assumed I was married. I moved to another department when an opening was available and talked to the Head of Ethics. Six weeks later I received a promotion and a 15% pay increase in a year that the company wasn't giving out raises. I am very sure that even when I changed companies, I still did not get what the men did - and I had advanced degrees in my field. I worked in a "right to work" state, which really means "right to fire without a good cause." I am sooo glad now that I'm retired!

You are a godsend! My husband dropped dead about a month ago with no previous warning. Thank God I already took care of the finances, but right now all I can do is fixate on the fact that my income just became half of what it was. I know I am capable of taking care of this, but it’s scares the h*** out of me. Thank you SSSOOO much for your down to earth and calm advice. I’m so glad I found you.

I entered a male dominated field at the age of 40. I was a computer programmer, computer systems analyst, a project manager, and a program manager. As such, I always made the same as my colleagues who were predominantly male. In addition, I found that every time I changed employers, I made more money. The longest I ever stayed at one company was 14 years.

AMEN, on the car lease. I am also single, and need a reliable car. I'm not a mechanical person and I don't have time to be running to the garage. I also enjoy driving a new car with the latest technology. I bought my house at 47,and I love it!

My goodness, I am so glad that I discovered your channel. My husband died two years ago, and although I have a son nearby, I do not want to depend on him for things. I was a housewife for 53 years and now have to plunge into the planning stage. My husband had a problem with money. When he has it, it has to be spent. I immediately started a savings and fixed account for the 'unforseen happenings'. I am going to start my spreadsheet for budgeting right this minute! Thank you so much. Best wishes from South Africa! ❤

I have been single for over 30 years. Being an Accountant, I actually enjoy doing budgets. Being female - I have also earned less money than my male counterparts. In my 60s now. Semi-retired. My lifestyle is modest and I like it this way. I like your comment though about singles needing more money in an emergency fund. Hadn't really thought about that much. I work part time, and pay myself first. Savings in my mind is more for future home maintenance costs, which if the furnace dies it IS an emergency :-).

Your energy is grounded and magical. Love this!!!❤❤❤

This is been very helpful for me. I’m 69 yrs old on limited income also solo and I have to think of creative ways on how to work my finances….

Hi Jen! I'm enjoying your videos. In my opinion you are pretty much on point. I've been retired 5 years. I'm guessing you live in Tofino or Surrey? I live in Port Angeles, Wa. So were practically neighbors. Which is why I also enjoy your walks. Thank you again, and keep up the videos 👍😁

I’m with you on the car lease. You have a transportation expense no matter what. So it’s your choice how you want to manage it.

Thank you Jen

Thank you for your insight.

Thank you for the information.

Love this channel!

Great job Jen! Love watching your channel grow!

I just had a thought that I want to share with you. I just don't know how to be older. Everyone thinks I'm younger. It has always been that way. I find that if I push myself to finish tasks, I am surely spent and sleep forever. Money is ok. Life is actually fun.

Thanks so much for sharing your life hacks, dreams and personality 👍

Enjoying lots of your videos and rethinking some things. Thank you so much Jen.

Wise sound good advice thank you

I need to get to work on setting up a Will. Thanks for the reminder.

Thanks for your video today. Oh, and I like your glasses.

I love the way you empower others. I enjoy your videos. From London UK.

I look forward to seeing all your videos!

I use an Excel spreadsheet. It's a lot like the old-fashioned checkbook balancing. It works for me.

I like your common sense approach. As I approach retirement, a lot of what you share impacts me directly.

This financial video was very helpful! Thank you

Wise words yes peace of mind mentally physically spiritually financially is first priority

Thank you! So well delivered and with such positivity. Solo myself and for a long time I follow many of these rules. Solos winning at life fabulous!

Thank you, thank you, thank you 🙏🏽

I love the way you own your situation and make your choices accordingly.

Sound advice, Jen 😊 🇬🇧

I really enjoy your videos. Even though I am not solo, I was for the bulk of my life. And who knows... it could happen again.

So helpful to me and confidence boosting. I like your authenticity. Keep 'em coming Jen. Kudos from Ontario.

Great advice on investments. About two years I took on the learning curve and now have questrade and it's going great!

Admire your values. Your videos are fun and informative. Thanks !

😅in the UK the gender pay gap is 14%' so every £1 a man makes, women earn 86p. and it is said it will take 100 years to correct. it's 2024 And we still have this issue. women are also often the care givers tobfamilynmemebers yet most are in poverty due to financial inequality....time to stand up.

Thanks for sharing. Love the selfcare tip ❤ makes me think of what Mel Robbins often says: no one is gonna come to save you so parent yourself (advice for young adults). I had the tendency to compare my situation with that of couples with children and or their own home. Im still gratfull I woke up from and made choices that fit me.

Love how down to earth & honest you are. thank you.

All great tips you have. As long as you are aware and educating yourself as to what the experts suggest, "you do you" as they say, and adjust the advice to your specific situation. It's so important that you included your last tip about a finance buddy. My struggle occurs with the large, expensive projects. I feel like it takes me twice as long to start and finish as I have to be both the practical/prudent voice AND the fun/extravagant voice at the same time; it's exhausting! 😆. I'm fortunate to have close friends, smart friends to bounce ideas/plans/dollars against. If you don't have those kind of friends, try to cultivate them.

I have a dedicated lined note book for montly monty things. I use my bank web page to check off things that have cleared and to balance by. I am a visual artist, but I love numbers too. I worked in finance for 6 or more odd year. I wans't always "stress free working in fianace.", I did enjoy making my nymber do what I wanted them to do. People use asked my how my numbersa at the end of the month so good. After a highschool statistics class when I was 18; I know ow t make my numbers look good. If only I had enjoyed grammer, and punctuation as much.. :) Thank you for being out "cheer leader!"

Good content, good tips. Really helps with direction.

Great tips, thanks for sharing them with us!

Very helpful to hear about your solo financial pre retirement journey. Right behind you as a late 40s Gen X'er

Simply holding assets may not suffice in today's volatile market, especially with inflation impacting portfolios.

this is so right on. Managing with consideration of myself in the equation. I am going to take on some of your tips. They will work for me. thanks for this

I love Quicken and have used it for many years. (You are the first personal finance RU-vidr I've heard mention it.) When you retire, your entire nest egg can serve as your emergency fund.

Very good advice

managing at 58 is the same at 28. live below your means, always save, invest and if necessary get additional income.

The sad thing is that the financial “experts” have all told me they are not allowed to give me advice!! I’m like what? You are getting commissions and you can’t help me. They discriminate against single older women. It makes me sad that women are not more inclined to form investment groups to teach and demonstrate investment knowledge. That has been my experience(s). Men boast about what they know or what they hear on the golf course. It is somewhat discouraging. I don’t expect Jen or anyone to be responsible for results, just chatting , like knitters do in a small circle of friends , sharing tips to go explore

Brilliant, thank you for this.

The year I became single I did a granular budget, monthly and annual expected expenses in, to get a sense of my needs and spending. I never needed to go into such detail again, once I'd got a basic sense of my situation.

Going to check out budgeting Apps. I’ve been winging it for the last 5 years of retirement and I lose sleep from time to time over that. Thanks for the advice❣️ (Eastern Ontario)

YOLO philosophy! Yay!

Ty❤

HOW INFURIATING!!

Solid advice!

Lol.. love the face you made when you said life style deduction... made me laugh

Really helpful. Thank you

Absolutely Awesome 😮😊

Great ideas! I’m a horrible saver and have had great problems as a result.

Thank you Jen for your videos, one thing I'd like to mention is how the words economy and ecology have the same Latin root word, eco, basically translating to home. To me, this shows that to have a healthy home, we need solutions that are both economically AND environmentally intelligent. With this in mind, the Federal tax credit for Solar PV and solar hot water panels is 30%.

I was late to the savings game. Suze Orman said to have no shelter expenses if you started late in saving for retirement so this is what I did. I do my own financial planning. My investments are modest and conservative. I had thought about seeing a financial planner but I am happy with the returns. I feel secure.

It is always number 1 to pay yr self first. I live on my SSDI. Which helps me to pay all my bills so far. I also pay attention to Jehovah as putting in my plans in his hands as Proverbs 16:3 amd Psalm 37:5...😊

I guess my “budget” at this point is that I just track everything and try to be very intentional with all of my purchases. The fairly predictable things are easy…you know what to expect…but you can’t predict everything. Tracking it was soothing for me Bcuz I saw that I was doing pretty well and my imagination could no longer torment me with things like “you’re such a waster. Where does your money go?” Then I can just pull out the budget book and shove the cold hard facts in its face. Lol. I’m thinking also that when I get older,leasing a car might make more sense for me as well. (When it’s time for the next one maybe lol). Stress is buying a lemon (or fear of that) and/or not knowing who you can trust and rely on to fix it.

I wish i had this info years ago..at 66 im broke and in debt..the shamei feel sbout it just adds to the agony

Having good health and strong friendship connections are both vital in retirement. I haven’t got a lot of money, I’ve had health scares but know I can live like a princess on very little as I grow my own organic food and barter. But good having good health and a strong body ensures you can still enjoy your retired life in a meaningful way. Great advice. It was very thought provoking to see your loss of wealth by being underpaid because you were a woman. It shocked me.

Have you watched the documentary "The Great Taking"? It's something to be aware of .. not afraid of 🙂. We have had many financial cycles that caught millions off guard. I fell to the one in 2008 - if I had been aware I could have saved myself a lot of loss and grief! Just a friendly heads up, thanks!!

Just found you and will be listening to more of your videos. I would appreciate any specific tips on investing. So far noone has explained it that doesnt confuse me. I am also single and really need to try to make my money grow for my future trips I would like to go on. Im 60 and my problem is noone I know whats to travel but I look forward to traveling. Im not ready to sit in the rocking chair yet ! Lol

🌸

I have been solo and struggling. My friend put me on a monthly budget and I see my finances in paper every month. I am seeing increases and decreases in bills. Tracking grocery prices. I am 57 and have one full time job one bedroom apt and content most of the time. I am able to pay bills and sleep at night. Don't have any savings but one credit card with balance

But if you rent, all those ownership costs are passed onto you in your rent. So it's good if you can manage to buy. Where I live, owning my townhouse outright, even the costs are a fraction of the rent of a similar unit. I just checked, and as of yesterday, the rental would exceed my gross income! And I have equity in my home to use if driven to it.

I prefer quality over quantity

Could you talk about self esteem and how to get reconciliation with our bodies and physical appearance ❤

❤❤

MUST have a PRIVATE DISABILITY INSURANCE plan if you’re in the US

Liked your French ´moi je ´ ! 😊

Thank you! So as a single how did you do your will? For instance, what would you do with your dog if you should pass and have your animals? I find that is hard to choose what will happen with all things estate.

Tim Childers, the newly retired me, did a video on rewards credit cards that have provided miles and accommodations for very reasonable travel to Scotland and Italy.