What I learned shocked me:
Living paycheck to paycheck with zero cushion - one unexpected expense away from complete disaster
Rotating which bills to pay late each month and bleeding money to late fees and overdraft charges
Feeling crushing guilt and jealousy watching other parents do things you can't afford for your kids
Constantly exhausted and burnt out with no time for yourself and nobody to share the load
Scared about the future with no clear path from "barely surviving" to "actually stable"
Isolated and alone feeling like you're the only one who can't figure this out
First real emergency fund built - that cushion that lets you finally breathe
Bills paid on time with a budget that actually works for single-parent reality
Clear financial priorities without the constant guilt and second-guessing
Sustainable routines that don't require superhuman energy or burning yourself out
Realistic stability path with clear milestones showing you're actually making progress
Connected to resources and community - finally understanding you're not alone in this