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I'm a Single Parent. How Can I Get Ahead Financially?
As a single parent, you need to understand the financial strategies that can stretch your income and help you lay the groundwork for a secure future.  Consider the following lessons to help improve your family's bottom line:
Identify Your Goals
You can't have a financial plan without first defining your financial goals. Start by recording all of your short-, medium-, and long-term financial goals.
For example, a child's education could be one of the biggest expenses in your future. Setting aside money for emergencies and planning for retirement are other important goals you'll need to keep in mind while raising a family. Don't let day-to-day concerns distract you from such important goals. Plan for today and tomorrow.
More on 'Financial Tips for Single Parents'.
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 The Markets
The United States economy is doing pretty well.
So well that a March rate hike by the Federal Reserve is not entirely out of the question. Barron's described the situation like this: 
"Squawking pessimism can't drown out what is a very respectable start to 2016. Economic data so far this year, apart from predictions of deflation and negative interest rates, could justify what was scheduled to be, but what soon seemed impossible, a rate hike at the March FOMC. Yes, global factors are a risk and are hurting the factory sector but service prices are definitely on the climb and vehicle prices and vehicle production, reflecting strength in domestic demand, are back up. Ignore the cacophony of doubt and look at the economic data for yourself!"
More on 'Market Commentary' here.
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By the Numbers
Notes: S&P 500, Gold, DJ-UBS Commodity Index returns exclude reinvested dividends (gold does not pay a dividend) and the three-, five-, and 10-year returns are annualized ... more important disclosure mentions found here. (We urge you to read the entire disclosure statement.)
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