Wow it is certainly good to be back on this blog! I have been feeling impressed lately to start blogging here because since I have been married there is so many things I see that I can share with single mothers as a hindsight experience or a moment to bridge build and encourage! I plan to start blogging here at least twice a week Lord willing.
I have been thinking a lot lately as I have been watching and listening to various tax commercials on TV and the radio, and this enormous push for Rapid Refund Anticipation Loans, and other programs designed to prey on a person's dire financial situations. Single mothers I believe just so happen to be a huge target audience, one because they more than likely are going to qualify for EIC so their refund alone will be fairly substantial, and secondly it's just a time of year that many who are barely surviving financially look forward to. I also believe that the enemy is faithful to snare us with stumbling blocks right before tax time so that we feel the need to make impulsive decisions regarding our money. He keeps us from being a good steward because we think we need help right now or instantaneously.
I personally have never taken out a rapid tax loan, I was going to one year but the costs just seemed too astronomical to me. I finally rested on that I had been waiting all year, and a couple more weeks wouldn't hurt me. You know what, I ended up getting my refund back in about a week and a couple days. The bills held off, and I was able to enjoy all of my hard earned money. The couple hundred dollars I was going to pay someone to loan me money against my money seemed like loan sharking. Eventually I just quit going to tax preparers and start filing online myself using the free versions of online tax software that I received off the IRS website. I personally used Turbo Tax because it was simple, it walked me through step by step and it ran an error check. I have yet to be audited by the IRS and now that I am married I found it even more helpful.
I just wanted to share my thoughts on how I just find it atrocious that single mothers fall victim to this marketing ploy. I mean we single mothers are some of the most resourceful, strong, and smart women out there. ( I say we because I will always be a single mom in heart as being married doesn't erase my past experiences or my love for my fellow single mothers) and every dollar counts. Why pay someone to do something that you can do, and why pay someone to give you something that is rightfully yours. It makes no sense to me either.
I encourage you this tax season that if you haven't done so yet, and or leaning towards applying for a loan against your refund amount pray and consider waiting for another week or so. Ask God to give you the strength and patience to hold out for a few more days. Ask him to give you the wisdom to be a good steward over your tax money as you would your earnings and pay checks. Ask him to give you divine instruction on how to make every dollar count and to resist the urge to fall victim to the "right now" marketing ploy that is targeted to a certain population of individuals who are branded and stereotyped behind closed doors as needy, impatient, desperate and impulsive. You are not that brand. You are strong, resilient and deserve every dime of the money you work so hard for. Now if are in an dire and immediate situation that affects the safety and well being of your children, your home, or your job then I encourage you to do what you need to do, just know that as I stated earlier many times the enemy will throw things our way to make us seem as we need help immediately. It is a trick of the devil. Just think how so many times things start to fall apart the end of December, during January and the beginning of February, during that time when you know you have funds coming. I do believe that if you lean, depend and trust in God he will help you through until you can get your refund back exactly on time, exactly the right amount without having to pay man to loan you what is rightfully yours.
Stay blessed and encouraged! mrs thomas
