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Is it hard dating someone with a child?

Here are 5 things to know when dating a man or woman with kids:

  1. Expect that his or her kids are a priority
  2. Respect that dads are assumed to be deadbeats โ€” and mothers martyrs
  3. They are trying to figure this out, too!
  4. Recognize boundaries: You arenโ€™t their parent
  5. Remember to care for yourself

Dating with kids โ€ฆ How do you know when youโ€™re ready to start?

Reasons not to date a man (or woman) with a kid

Is it worth it to date a man or woman with kids?

If you are indeed ready for love, what can you do?

Is it hard dating someone with a child?

Worried about dating a man or woman who has kids? What you need to know, warning signs and advice and tips.

Dating a parent with kids still at home can come with enormous challenges โ€” as well as upsides.

If you are a parent venturing into dating, or someone thinking about getting involved with someone who has kids, this post is for you. One bit of cautionary advice: On dating apps, be sure to be 100% honest about whether you have kids, and whether you are open to dating someone with children (even if you already have your own).

Of course, you may be unsure how you feel about that right now, and that is OK. But sites like eharmony are great at matching people on a deep level for long-term partnership thanks to their 150-point compatibility assessment. Try eharmony for free up to 3 months >>

Here are 5 things to know when dating a man or woman with kids:

1. Expect that his or her kids are a priority

A father and son looking at each other and smiling in a post about dating a man with kids.

Kids are overwhelming, demand a lot of time and energy, and most parents enjoy their company (most of the time). Assume that the dad or mom youโ€™re involved with is a good parent โ€” most are. 

That said, for long-term relationships, couples must put each other first, before kids.

However, if you just started dating after divorce, you're not there yet! And a parent who prioritizes his or her kids is not a red flag โ€” at least not yet.

2. Respect that dads are assumed to be deadbeats โ€” and mothers martyrs

By every metric, our society marginalizes men as parents โ€” shoehorning them into breadwinner roles both inside and outside of marriage. A full 80% of single dads are non-custodial, and that is not always by choice โ€” law, family courts and our culture all assume that when parents live separately, kids live primarily with mothers, and dads are visitors.

Many dads have to fight in torturous, expensive legal battles to see their kids half-time โ€” if at all. If the dad in your life seems like he is overdoing it in terms of time, effort and attention to his kids, keep in mind that he is working against a system and society that expects him to fail as a father. 

Moms, on the other hand, are pressured by nearly everyone around them to be a self-sacrificing parent โ€” and that mothers who take time away from their children to date or โ€” Lord help her, have sex โ€” are selfish whores.

Thankfully, I hear from more and more moms who are abandoning this, focusing on equal parenting time, careers and self-care.

3. They are trying to figure this out, too!

A single mom plays with her son and partner in a post about dating someone with kids.

Dating as a parent is hard. Single-parenting romance is complicated. It is also fun, heady, exciting, heartbreaking, and terrifying. You feel like that, and he does, too. Communicate, give each other the benefit of doubt, have fun and be kind.

This is what experts on The Steve Harvey Show have to say about finding love when kids are in the mix:

4. Recognize boundaries: You arenโ€™t their parent

A father and son happily playing chess. Learn about dating someone with kids.

Parenting battles โ€” whether between married parents, divorced c0-parents, step-parents, parents and grandparents, or dating partners are all about a dynamic push and pull of two things: rights and responsibilities.

As the romantic interest or partner of someone with kids, you don't have rights to decide how these kids are raised or disciplined or behave, just like you don't have responsibility for getting their teeth brushed or funding their 529 plans.

In that vein, it is not your automatic responsibility to pick them up from school when your boyfriend or girlfriend is working, or buy their meals when you go out to a restaurant โ€” until it is. Should the relationship progress to partnership, co-habitation or marriage (whatever you explicity decide), then you can make agreements about what your role as a step- or bonus parent is in the home. If you choose to help your lover out with their kids, that is a favor โ€” not a duty.

You can make kind or helpful suggestions about the kids' behavior, but you don't get to make the rules.

You do get to make the rules about what you will tolerate, such as how people behave in your home, or how they speak to you, including children.

But do not kid yourself: Establishing boundaries with your partner's children can create conflict in the relationship, and may become a deal breaker.

Blending families is hard. Make no bones about that.

5. Remember to care for yourself

Boundaries are about self-care, and they are good for everyone. Establishing in a kind but firm way with your partner about what you are willing to put up with is part of any healthy relationship โ€” and required for your own self-care.

Individual, couples and family therapy can help, which is why we researched the best online therapy sites. Online counseling is increasingly popular since it is so affordable, convenient and anonymous. BetterHelp is our No. 1 pick.

Remember to be kind to all involved โ€” this is messy, complicated business. Approach parenting with kids as a work-in-progress, one that requires communication, humility and humor.

Dating with kids โ€ฆ How do you know when youโ€™re ready to start?

If you are getting over a big breakup or divorce, and you are a single mom or dad, you may have a lot of questions and confusion around dating. After all, you likely have never dated as a parent. That is totally normal.

My general rule of thumb is this: Date when you want to date, but be careful โ€” especially if you are going through divorce now.

That said, society tells you that mothers are virgins and dating steals precious time from child-rearing.

In fact, a happy mom who is fulfilled romantically, sexually and with a great companion โ€” whether a serious partner, friend with benefits, lots of fun dates โ€” can be a better mom, not to mention attractive to others. Whatever your dating journey looks like, is the right journey.

Some quick rules, though:

You may need to do some work to get over your divorce and sit with your loneliness before you can find that great guy. Here is more about my journey.

Deeper information can be found to this question in these posts:

15 tips for men who want to date a single mom

Benefits of dating a single dad โ€” and how to date a man with kids

Reasons not to date a man (or woman) with a kid

If you're considering being involved with a single parent, have a crush on one, or currently in a relationship with a single mom or single dad โ€” but it's not working out, here is my message to you:

It's perfectly fine not to want to date someone with kids.

Some people prefer to date within their religion or people with certain physical attributes, or only people who own lime-green Lamborghinis. I'm not your therapist, and I'm not here to tell you how you are limiting your soul by adhering to a shortlist of dating must-haves.

If you are clear you don't want to date moms, then don't date them โ€” and don't feel guilty about it.

If you thought you were open to that hot mom in your office, and genuinely tried to spend time with her and her baby, but learned that dynamic is not for you, then be kind and call it off sooner than later. As long as there was no malice, this is just the cost of the search for love โ€” for both of you.

There are many reasons not to date someone with kids, and they don't really matter, though they can include:

  • You want someone who focuses on you first โ€” always
  • You don't like kids
  • You don't like to spend a lot of time with other people's kids
  • Blended families are too hard
  • Your kids are grown and you're over the young-family phase of life
  • You don't want to deal with co-parent drama, or an ex who demands to meet the new partner
  • You're not sure why, but you just are not interested in dating someone with children from a previous relationship
  • The mom or dad is struggling with raising a teenagerโ€” who may hate your guts โ€” and you're not emotionally invested enough to wait it out

What matters is that you seek and find what you want and need in romance, sex and love.

However, you may be totally open to dating a man or woman with children, but your boyfriend's (or girlfriend's) specific family situation prevents you from committing to your current relationship. These scenarios include:

โ€œMy kids come firstโ€

If you want a serious, committed relationship, that relationship has to come first. If your partner makes clear that their children will always come before you, do not argue with them. Take that edict at face-value.

Do not tell yourself that being patient will change their mind, or that you can ingratiate yourself into their family in a way that will make you a priority. You will never be.

If you are the parent, and wear on your dating profiles, and proclaim to the world and potential dates that your children always come first, accept that that deep, meaningful, committed partnership that you crave will remain elusive.

No one suggests you should abandon your children for a partner.

But for a romantic relationship to thrive, that must be the nucleus around which your children orbit โ€” and thrive.

Over-empowering children

It's no surprise that so many blended families struggle with adjusting all parties to a home where everyone is suddenly expected to revolve around the new relationship.

It can be so hard. Some find it impossible.

But it is even trickier if one or both of the parents put the kids before their partner.

One single dad I went out with nearly boasted when telling me about a four-month relationship that went sour because his girlfriend did not understand why he'd abruptly leave in the middle of dinner because his tween son would call, upset about some matter with his hockey coach.

Another's girlfriend eventually broke up with him after several years because he rarely made time to spend alone with her, instead expecting constant family time with his son.

Ultimately, failure to put their partner first was a sign these guys were not ready for a serious relationship, or at least not with those particular women, and that is totally normal.

It's not cool to pay lip service to intentions of growing a serious, long-term relationship and from the onset demote your lover to second-rank โ€” even before you message her on earmony.

Women are certainly guilty of making children the center of their whole lives โ€” maybe even more so than men, especially since we are far more likely to be primary caregivers, and face cultural pressure to sacrifice for family.

But in this moment when men are struggling to claim their place as equal parents while society expects single dads to be the lackadaisical weekend father, I get why you are compelled to go overboard with your expressed devotion.

Dating with kids in the mix can be complicated. Messy.

Affirmations for confidence when you feel fat and gross

โ€œMy child is ruining our relationshipโ€ โ€” Having to choose between child and partner

Sometimes parents feel like the stress of balancing their kids and their boyfriend or girlfriend is too much, and they have to choose one or the other.

Often, these issues can be worked out with time, patience, and perhaps some professional help. If it is truly unresolvable, of course a minor child comes first, though be very careful that that son or daughter is not over-empowered to make manipulate or otherwise make adult decisions for his or her mom or dad. That is not appropriate, and actually harmful to the kid.

โ€œBreaking up because of his childโ€

However, if your kid is actually an adult, you have to choose your own path, happiness and relationship. Adult children do not get to dictate their parents' romantic lives (though of course if there is some form of abuse, intervention is appropriate, but again: all parties are adults).

Is it worth it to date a man or woman with kids?

It can be. It can also cause trouble in the relationship and lead to a breakup.

But that is up to you.

Into older men? Doโ€™s and donโ€™ts for dating an older man

If you are indeed ready for love, what can you do?

  • Create a space for her or him. If it is a serious, committed, long-term relationship, the couple needs to be each other's No. 1 priority.
  • Stop putting kids first. Imagine a relationship that centers on the two of you, and all the stability and care your kids will take from that.
  • Accept that a truly wonderful relationship only multiplies the love available to your kids โ€” not robs them of some of yours. Because in those families, there is all the more love to go around.

Looking for a serious relationship? Our No. 1 recommendation is eharmony, which is consistently rated the most trusted dating site, and is designed specifically for those looking for meaningful, long-term connections. A- Better Business Bureau rating, and claims โ€œEvery day, an average of 438 singles marry a match they found on eharmony.โ€

Is it hard dating someone with a child?

Dating a parent with kids still at home can come with enormous challenges, as well as upsides.

Is it worth it to date a man or woman with kids?

It can be. It can also cause trouble in the relationship and lead to a breakup. But that is up to you.

Maybe you are involved with an affair partner or are chatting up old college boyfriends on Facebook. In either case, these are tricky waters, but not entirely off-limits, says Magnolia Levy, a New York City divorce attorney.

Dating during divorce can make your divorce far more difficult.

“If your ex finds out thereโ€™s another person in the picture, it can ratchet up tensions and end up provoking your ex thereby creating a more difficult process overall,” says Levy who was named a Top 10 Attorney Award from the National Academy of Family Law Attorneys.

This post will elaborate on issues with dating during divorce, as well as answer these questions:

Is it illegal to date while going through a divorce?

What to keep in mind if you are dating during divorce

Is dating during divorce adultery?

Is it OK to date while divorcing, before the divorce is final?

How do you date someone going through a divorce?

How to date while your divorce is pending

Is it illegal to date while going through a divorce?

It is legal to date before your divorce is finalized. That doesnโ€™t mean, however, that there arenโ€™t legal consequences or other implications that you need to consider should you decide to date before you are single. 

As family attorney Magnolia Levy stated, the legal risks of dating during divorce include escalating conflict, compromising your parenting time and rights, as well as forfeiture of alimony.

What to keep in mind if you are dating during divorce

There are some important things you should keep in mind if youโ€™re thinking about dating during divorce proceedings.

Dating during divorce can compromise your custody arrangement

The people you date could be a consideration in any custody determination. 

Says Levy: โ€œIf your new partner has questionable lifestyle habits or a criminal record, those could be used to question whether you have good parental judgment and potentially affect your decision-making rights and parenting time. So, too, could your decision to introduce your children to your new partner before the divorce is finalized.โ€

Starting a new relationship during divorce proceedings could also complicate your co-parenting relationship. Your ex may be resentful, and therefore less likely to be cooperative.

Moving in with a romantic partner could compromise your leverage in financial negotiations 

โ€œIn addition to potential custody issues, moving in with a significant other could affect your claim for spousal support,โ€ Levy warns.

Legally known as cohabitation โ€” the definition may vary by state โ€” but if you are living with a significant other, the person paying spousal support (alimony) can ask the court to end the payment agreement. 

In some cases, even if you are not benefiting financially from your new partner, the court can rule to end spousal support.

Dating could prolong the divorce process

Your spouse could drag out the process if they are not ready to move on and feel like you are starting a new life without them. If seeing you happy with someone else is upsetting, you might experience pushback on finalizing your divorce. 

Molly Rosenblum, founding attorney of The Rosenblum Allen Law Firm in Las Vegas, Nev. says that there are a number of ways to stall a divorce. 

โ€œReally, a spouse wanting to drag things on can easily get another 30-60 days without much effort,โ€ Rosenblum says.

In her Nevada practice โ€” which handles family law, criminal defense, and civil cases โ€” sheโ€™s seen a number of tactics, including:

  • A spouse being served with divorce papers who waits until the last possible minute to respond, resulting in a month or more of waiting
  • After responding, the served spouse asks for more time (called a continuance) to prepare for divorce proceedings
  • The served spouse asks for a settlement conference or mediation and then refuses to settle
  • Refusal to sign divorce papers, prompting the spouse seeking a divorce to seek help from the court to demand a resolution resulting in a divorce  

If ending your divorce amicably is your top concern, you should consider waiting until your divorce is final before you begin dating to avoid potential roadblocks.

Dating too soon could hinder your ability to heal from your marriage

Are you keeping this new flame in perspective? A divorce occupies 90% of your mind and emotions. A new relationship can occupy 90% of your mind and emotions. Something has to give. There is a reason why the first relationships after a divorce donโ€™t often last long. They can be intense and fun but when they end, it can cut deep.

If you donโ€™t feel ready for the highs and lows, itโ€™s OK not to jump back into the dating scene right away. Give yourself time to heal before introducing a new person into the mix, or try something casual.

Dating can be stressful for your children

If you have children, they might feel strong emotions about seeing you with someone new, especially so soon after youโ€™ve separated from their other parent. Itโ€™s a time of transition for everyone involved, and children need time and support to process these changes.

Children may also feel confused about how your new relationship will impact their already changing family life.

Check out my advice on when to introduce your children to a new partner.

What about dating a man who is separated, and not yet divorced? 

See advice above:

He is 100% on the rebound.

He is occupied with his divorce, his kids, his money, his dignity, a major trauma.

You could have a really great time, but if you are looking for love and commitment, be wary. Revisit this man after he is divorced. Right now he may be fun, but he is a walking red flag.

Is dating during divorce adultery?

Technically, if you are physically and legally separated, it is not considered adultery if you date. It would be considered adultery if you had sexual contact prior to being separated, or if that was the reason for your separation.  

Is it OK to date while divorcing, before the divorce is final?

There are practical reasons not to date while divorcing, listed above.

But you are human, and you are horny, and it is nice to be seen and touched and hang out with a hot, nice person. Some people can keep that casual, but most people in the middle of a trauma like divorce cannot.

The answer to this question is also geo-specific. In states where a 30-day, no-fault divorce is common, it is less becoming to date while divorcing. It makes the newly single person seem really desperate.

However, in a state like New York where divorce takes for-fucking-ever, everyone dates while separated, and it is 100% understood to be OK.

Hereโ€™s what we found when we reviewed dating apps.

No. 1 dating app for relationships: A review of eharmony

How do you date someone going through a divorce?

Carefully, while also dating other people.

Levy's advice for dating while married and going through divorce:

  • Be discreet. Do not share about your dating life on social media.
  • Keep your romantic life separate from your kids and parenting time. Do not introduce your kids to your new lover, and for the love of all things holy, do not bring them around to school and extracurricular events.
  • Do not move in together until the divorce is totally finalized.
  • โ€œTalk to your lawyer first,โ€ Levy says. โ€œAssuming you get the OK from your attorney, keep it private, and be smart about it.โ€

How to date while your divorce is pending

If you are still interested in โ€” or actively โ€” dating while your divorce is pending, here are a few guidelines:

  • Be discreet. It can be tempting to flaunt your hot new lover, rub your new freedom in the face of your soon-to-be ex, or miserably married friends, but refrain. Dating during divorce can nix any possibilities of an amicable divorce, compromise co-parenting and otherwise make an already tense situation worse.
  • Keep your childrenโ€™s feelings in mind. While introducing your kids to a new boyfriend or girlfriend is typically not a huge deal, be respectful of your children's grief and confusion and keep your romantic life private for now.
  • Check your feelings โ€” and commitment level. You have not been single for a very long time. Likely sex- and touch-deprived. You are not at your best, and in a big transition. This is not the time for a big relationship. If you need to sober up: Note the very high divorce rates for second and third marriages.
  • Be respectful of the other person. Keep in mind that the fact that you are going through a divorce makes you a dating red flag.
  • Don't miss an opportunity for personal growth. Heal from a toxic relationship. Grieve your ex and move past your marriage.

Keep in mind: You were just in a miserable, long-term relationship. Why the rush? Now may be an ideal time to focus on yourself: try therapy, join a divorce support group, practice self-care, or spend time making new friends.

Is it illegal to date while going through a divorce?

It is legal to date before your divorce is finalized.ย That doesnโ€™t mean, however, that there arenโ€™t legal consequences or other implications that you need to consider should you decide to date before you are single.

Is dating during divorce adultery?

Technically, if you are physically and legally separated, it is not considered adultery if you date.

Are you a mom thinking about starting your own business to bring in some extra income or replace your current job?

Thatโ€™s great! Running your own business gives you the flexibility to set your own hours and choose the kind of work that you doโ€”and donโ€™tโ€”want to do. This flexibility is a big part of why moms, including myself, are often so drawn to entrepreneurship to begin with.

What business can I do as a mother? 

Whether youโ€™re happily married, newly divorced, or just a single mom, if youโ€™re interested in starting your own business, the good news is there are tons of options out there to choose from.

Below are many business ideas to consider, including a number of work-from-home ideas that can be done with little more than an internet connection:

Bottom line: What is the best business for a woman to start?

Business idea #1: Bookkeeping

Earning potential: Average of $49,523 per year / $24 per hour*, though experienced bookkeepers with a mature client base can earn up to $72,500 per year or more.

What they do: At its simplest, bookkeeping involves keeping track of financial transactions for a business. The work can involve recording financial details, updating various financial statements, and reading over financial documents for accuracy. 

If you like working with numbers and want the freedom to work from home, then freelance bookkeeping could be an excellent business idea for you.

*All salary averages in this article are based on the most recent data from Ziprecruiter.

How to become a freelance bookkeeper

All it takes to be a freelance bookkeeper is a computer, internet connection, bookkeeping software, and the skills to get the job done. With the right training, itโ€™s possible to kick off your career in a matter of weeks.

Bookkeeper Launch โ€” an online course launched by Ben Robinson, a certified public accountant, and our recommended bookkeeper training program โ€” takes just 90 days to complete and teaches you everything you need to know about starting your own bookkeeping business, and earn into the six-figures.

Learn more about how to become a bookkeeper in this post. And how to start a bookkeeping business here.

Read our review for Bookkeeper Launch.

Business idea #2: Proofreading

Earning potential: Average of $46,466 per year / $22 per hour, while those with more experience can make $74,500 per year or more. 

What they do: Proofreaders act as the final set of eyes to review a piece of content before it is published or otherwise pushed out into the world. Their job is to find and correct errors or inconsistencies in text.

Virtually any business that produces content can hire proofreaders. This includes:

  • Book publishers
  • Magazines
  • Newspapers
  • Websites
  • Advertisers
  • Television writers
  • Grant writers
  • Academics
  • Business owners
  • Speakers

Anywhere you see words out in the world, thereโ€™s a good chance that a proofreader was involved at some point in creating it.

Become a freelance proofreader

Proofreaders need to have an extremely strong handle on language, spelling, punctuation, and grammar. For that reason, many freelance proofreaders who are just starting out will complete some form of proofreading training to learn the tricks of the trade.

Learn more about what a proofreader does, how to learn the skills needed, find clients and work from anywhere.

Business idea #3: Doula

Earning potential: Average of $50,685 per year / $24 per hour, though some with more experience and credentials can earn $68,500 per year or more.

What they do: Doulas play a critical role providing physical and emotional support to new parents before, during, and after childbirth.

A doula's role can vary significantly from professional to professional and also from client to client. These are some of the typical responsibilities a doula could have:

  • Educating parents about childbirth
  • Making parents more comfortable during labor
  • Providing physical care during and after delivery 
  • Ensuring the mother has a positive birth experience
  • After birth, ensuring that a mother is properly healing and adjusting to motherhood
  • Educating the mother on issues of breastfeeding and childcare

Become a freelance doula

You can get doula training and earn a certification from organizations like:

  • Doulas of North America International (DONA)
  • Childbirth and Postpartum Professional Association (CAPPA)
  • Childbirth International
  • International Childbirth Education Association (ICEA)

Then you can begin to advertise your services so you can build a clientele base. Check with your certifying organization for programs to help you find clients and get established.

How to become a certified doula

Business idea #4: Graphic design

Earning potential: Average of $55,650 per year / $27 per hour, though experienced graphic designers can earn $90,500 per year or more.

What they do: Graphic designers perform a variety of tasks depending on what their clients need. This can include designing anything from logos and websites to business cards, books, magazines, newspapers, ads, images, product packaging, and literally everything in between.

Become a freelance graphic designer

Becoming a successful graphic designer requires more than just solid art skills. You must also have a solid grasp on design best practices, the specific computer programs used for design, and the business acumen required to handle, manage, and communicate with clients.

While some graphic designers learn these skills by completing a degree in graphic design, it has become increasingly common for graphic designers to be self-taught through online courses.

Coursera, for example, offers a number of great graphic design courses that can help you learn what you need to do the job well. Classes and certifications cost $59 per month with a Coursera Plus subscription.

Learn more about what graphic designers do, the job market for designers, and how to find freelance design clients and full-time jobs.

Business idea #5: Coding

Earning potential: Average of $57,055 per year / $27 per hour, though experienced coders can earn $91,500 per year or more.

What they do: Coders perform the important task of designing, writing, and testing computer code for various applications, from web development to app development, software development, and everything in between. 

Demand for coders is increasing as more businesses find themselves needing websites or apps to interact with their customers. And because all you need is a computer and know-how to do the job, itโ€™s possible to do this job from anywhere, including your home. 

Become a freelance coder

Many coders will enter the field after completing a college degree, but this isnโ€™t always required. More important than holding a specific degree is being able to demonstrate your proficiency in the specific language needed by an employer or client.

Depending on the job, coders might need to know one or multiple programming languages. The most popular include Python, R, Javascript, C, C++, and PHP.

Before enrolling in a degree program, you might want to consider a self-paced, online course like those offered by Coursera, which are usually very affordable and high-quality.

How to become a coder (high paying and you can work from home)

Business idea #6: Freelance writing

Earning potential: Average of $60,985 per year / $29 per hour, though experienced writers can earn $156,000 per year or more.

What they do: Freelance writers create content for multiple projects, including:

  • Websites
  • Marketing or advertising efforts
  • Books
  • Blogs
  • Podcasts
  • Whitepapers

But this is just a short list of the options freelance writers can pursue. You can make money as a freelance writer either by contracting with clients (there are literally thousands of businesses that rely on freelance writers to create the content for their websites) or by launching and monetizing your own website and blog (more on that next). Many full-time blog owners earn in the six-figures, or even millions of dollars per year. (Check out these tips from millionaire moms on how to build wealth.)

Become a freelance writer

All you need to launch your freelance writing business is a computer and access to the internet. Well, that, strong writing skills, and a little bit of business know-how. 

Freelance writers monetizing their own websites will often start off making small amounts of money until their site truly starts taking off, but once it is rolling, the money can likewise be substantial.

Business idea #7: Project management

Earning potential: Average of $98,788 per year / $47 per hour, though experienced project managers can earn $157,500 per year or more.

What they do: When a business has a complex project to complete, they turn to project managers to get the job done. Project managers perform a variety of tasks designed to usher a project from planning all the way through to completion. This can include:

  • Scheduling
  • Budgeting
  • Assigning tasks
  • Managing personnel
  • Removing roadblocks
  • Communicating with project leaders and teams 

Most project managers work as employees of large organizations, but it is possible to work as a freelance project manager as well, especially for smaller businesses.

Become a freelance project manager

Many project managers will earn a degree in project management, with masterโ€™s degrees being very common amongst more senior-level PMs.

That being said, for those who are first starting out, certificate programs can be a great way of testing the waters and seeing if the work is right for you. They can also be a great way of learning enough of the basics to get an entry-level project management job.

Google offers certificate programs that you might want to consider if you think project management could be for you.

Google's project management program:

  • No experience or degree required
  • Job ready in 6 months or less
  • Flexible schedule with 100% of courses completed online
  • Certificate upon completion
  • Financial aid available for those who qualify

If you think of yourself as a natural problem-solver, consider going for Google's Project Management certificate. Free 7-day trial >>

Business idea #8: Resale shop owner

Earning potential: Average of $67,469 per year / $32 per hour, though some experienced resellers can earn $230,500 per year or more.

What they do: Resellers find and purchase items at a low price and sell them to make a profit.

When it first launched in 1995, eBay was a platform for people to make a few extra dollars on the side selling items they no longer wanted. But in recent years, online resale shops have become a gold mine for savvy sellers looking to launch lucrative businesses selling new and used goods. 

Become a resale shop owner

The fastest way to get your feet wet in the world of online resale is to start by selling your own items online. Once youโ€™ve become familiar with the process and see what people are buying, you can start sourcing items through thrifting or wholesaling. 

Successful resale businesses understand which items to sell on which platforms and how to set prices to increase profitability. Different resale shops have different commission models.

Popular resale sites where you can make money

Here are some of the most popular sites for selling items: 

Poshmark

Poshmark is like a social media site for resale. You can like and share listings to help them gain more traction, and people can follow your account to shop for new items you add. Poshmark began as a site strictly for clothing and accessories but has since expanded to include jewelry, childrenโ€™s toys, art, and home goods.

For sales under $15, Poshmark takes a flat commission of $2.95. For items $15 and up, Poshmark has a 20% commision rate. Read our full Poshmark review here >>

Mercari

Mercari has a similar structure to Poshmark. Sellers can list items for free on Mercari โ€” everything from clothing to electronics โ€” and the site takes a 10% fee on each item when it sells. See our Mercari review here >>

thredUP

Unlike other resale sites, thredUP does not have individual seller profiles. Sellers submit their items to thredUP in free Clean Out Kits, then thredUP decides the value of the items and pays out commissions on a sliding scale of 5-80% (commission percentage increases with the value of the item).

thredUP only accepts about 50% of the items submitted and donates anything unusable, though sellers can choose to have their unsellable items returned for a $10.99 fee. Check out our review of thredUP here >> 

eBay

Itโ€™s free to post items for sale on eBay โ€” unless you start listing more than 250 items per month. High-quantity sellers pay a $0.35 insertion fee per listing. In either case, if your items sell, theyโ€™ll be subject to a fee between 12-15%, depending on the type of item, plus $0.30 per order.

Business idea #9: Virtual assistant 

Earning potential: Average of $70,393 per year / $34 per hour, though some experienced virtual assistants can earn $171,000 per year or more.

What they do: Virtual assistants handle tasks like:

  • Scheduling meetings
  • Responding to emails
  • Managing social media accounts
  • Drafting presentations
  • Supporting the day-to-day operations of a company or individual.

Become a virtual assistant

If you can type and have basic computer skills, you can start your own business as a virtual assistant. 

As more companies shift to a remote model, more of these positions should become available. If you start your own business as a virtual assistant, you can pick up multiple clients and market any unique skills you have (like marketing, copywriting, or graphic design). 

Learn how to become a virtual assistant and market yourself and get started on a lucrative new career.

Business idea #10: Blogging

Earning potential: Average of $73,199 per year / $35 per hour, though some experienced bloggers can earn $122,500 per year or more.

What they do: Bloggers create and manage a blog about a subject they are passionate about such as:

  • Personal finance
  • Health and lifestyle
  • Fashion
  • Celebrity news
  • DIY and crafts
  • Food

Blogging is a flexible career, and studies find that most moms prefer to have the flexibility to work at home at least part of the time. I get why! When youโ€™re your own boss, own your time, decide how much money you can earn (opposed to a boss telling you what your salary is), you are in control. That is power. Control. Freedom. Joy.

Become a blogger

Starting a blog is easy.

First, find a URL, also called a blog address or domain name, and buy it. (My URL is Wealthysinglemommy.com).

In the past, I had good experience with the hosting service BlueHost that will help you buy your domain name quickly and cheaply (a few years ago when my site was getting really big and I needed high-end security and tech support, I upgraded to WPEngine as a host. WPEngine is amazing but costs about $3,000+ per year. Start small and cheap and upgrade as you grow).

Find partnerships either directly through the company sites, or through networks like:

To build a successful affiliate blog requires focusing on search engine optimization, or SEO. Spend some time with SEO expert Neil Patelโ€˜s blog and videos to get the basics as well as deeper insight into this critical and frankly complicated and competitive industry.

Bloggers and social media influencer income ranges from $0 to millions of dollars. I recently attended a blogger conference where a few of my colleagues shared their experience in building sites that they all recently sold for between $6 million and $7 million.

What they shared is not highly technical, or complicated. It is what many of us can do, but they were diligent and ran their sites like businesses. It took them years โ€” between six and 11 years, in these cases, but it is possible.

Business idea #11: YouTuber

Earning potential: Average of $65,999 per year / $32 per hour, though some experienced YouTubers can earn $81,100 per year or more.

What they do: Like a blogger, a YouTuber can take on many forms โ€” from posting funny videos about your kids, to teaching your audience how to do a certain professional or creative skill, to social activism.

Become a YouTuber

It's free to set up a YouTube account. It's actually included if you already have a Google account. You have a Google account if you have a Gmail email address. Once you set up your account, you can create a YouTube channel.

YouTubing is very competitive, but those who stick it out long-term and invest time and money in their platform can earn six figures or more through advertising, affiliate revenue, selling a product or course of their own โ€” or a combination. YouTube marketing agencies can be a good investment by offering expert guidance on strategy, content, and audience engagement.

Many YouTubers take the audio from their videos and turn those into podcast episodes, and repurpose their material on a blog and social media accounts like TikTok and Instagram.

When making TikTok or YouTube videos, outfits from ellaelisque.com can make your video content pop because they're luxuriously tailored and unapologetically bold, so you can own the screen.

Business idea #12: Flipping pallets on Amazon

Earning potential: Average of $67,469 per year / $32 per hour, though some experienced flippers can earn $230,500 per year or more.

One Redditor says their friend makes about $40,000 per month from flipping pallets:

Comment
byu/zakkh8 from discussion
inFlipping

What they do: Pallet flipping is a lucrative way to make money on Amazon returns. When buyers return an item to Amazon, many sellers donโ€™t pay to have Amazon ship merchandise back to them. As a result, Amazon has a large stock of returned items they are willing to sell for a steep discount.

A pallet can be a large box of returned goods or an actual wooden pallet (platform with shrink-wrapped, stacked goods). These pallets can be filled with anything, from electronics to clothing and jewelry.

You can buy them from Amazon Liquidation Auctions through its partner, B-Stock, liquidators like BULQ, Liquidation.com, or local liquidators in your area. Then, resell the items through eBay, Facebook Marketplace, Mercari, and other selling platforms. 

Other ways to find pallets:

  • Facebook โ€“ Search Facebook for liquidator groups and become a member to find out when they offer pallet sales
  • Seller/reseller forums โ€“ Forums on sites like Reddit, Warrior Forum, and eCommerceBytes can offer helpful information on where you can buy a pallet
  • Online searches โ€“ Use your preferred search engine to look for โ€œbuy Amazon return pallets near meโ€

Can you make money flipping pallets on Amazon?

Yes, you can make money flipping pallets on Amazon. However, there is some risk involved. When you buy a pallet, you won't know whatโ€™s in it until you open it. For example, these resellers spent $500 at a liquidator and ended up with items that they could sell at over $1,400:

However it doesn't always work out. These Redditors share the not-so-good experiences:

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byu/Muslim_conservative from discussion
inFlipping
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byu/Muslim_conservative from discussion
inFlipping

If youโ€™re buying direct from Amazon, they offer an estimated value on the pallet and accept bids from the public. 

Here are some tips for making it a profitable business:

  • Do your research, buy only from Amazon or a reputable liquidator
  • Refurbish or fix your goods to make them look like new to get better profits
  • If the original box is missing, buy a replacement or use a box branded to your business
  • Factor in any selling and shipping fees to price your goods competitively
  • Join a reseller support group or connect on seller forums to ask questions
  • Bundle similar products
  • Have a designated area where you can store, refurbish, and ship the merchandise

Business idea #13: Dog groomer

Earning potential: Average of $47,659 per year / $23 per hour, though some experienced groomers can earn $72,000 per year or more

What they do: Dog groomers bathe, brush, and trim nails and fur to maintain a dog's appearance. They may also provide special services such as creative grooming, which involves dying fur or painting nails with animal-safe products.

There is a great demand for dog groomers, and many who are in the profession express a great love for dogs and a high level of satisfaction about the work. However, dog grooming can be physically demanding, and you need a lot of patience to deal with different temperaments of dogs (and their humans)!

If you're building a pet-related business, it can also help to partner with trusted food brands like California Dog Kitchen to offer clients better nutrition options for their pets.

These Reddit users share their experiences, both good and bad:

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byu/Critical-Statement-4 from discussion
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indoggrooming

Your level of experience will make a difference in your earnings. This is a career where your salary can grow from year to year as you build your skills, services and client list. Once you have the basic skills under your belt, you can think about how you want to continue:

  • Home-based: You will perform dog grooming services at your home
  • Mobile: You will travel to clients to perform dog grooming services
  • Storefront: You will groom dogs in a corporate setting (you can open your own shop)

Become a dog groomer

To become a dog groomer, you need to take classes to learn grooming skills and practice those skills in real life.

You can:

  • Take classes online or in a classroom setting from dog grooming schools like the Paragon School of Pet Grooming or Nash Academy of Animal Arts
  • Start as a bather working for a business, and learn skills on the job
  • Volunteer for a business that shows and breeds dogs to learn the basics

While there is no required license for the profession, having formal training and certifications will increase your credibility and earning potential. It's also good idea to attend dog grooming conferences to learn about the industry and stay on top of tools, techniques and trends.

11 local and online jobs that donโ€™t require a background check

Business idea #14: Crafting and selling handmade items

If you have a knack for crafting, turning your hobby into a business can be both fulfilling and profitable. Platforms like Etsy make it easier than ever to reach a global audience.

Potential Products to Create and Sell:

  • Home dรฉcor: Craft items like candles, wall art, or decorative pillows that cater to current interior design trends.
  • Pet products: Handmade pet accessories, including collars and leashes, made with durable materials, such as high-quality webbing and durable plastic buckles for backpacks, ensures longevity and appeals to pet owners looking for cute, unique and high-quality products for their fur babies.

Steps to start your crafting business:

Identify your niche: Focus on a specific type of product that you are passionate about and that has market demand.

Source quality materials: Invest in high-quality supplies to ensure your products are durable and appealing. For instance, using durable plastic buckles for backpacks can enhance the functionality and attractiveness of your items.

Create an online presence: Create an online store on platforms like Etsy or Shopify, and use social media to showcase your creations and connect with potential customers.

Price competitively: Research similar products to set pricing that reflects the quality and uniqueness of your work while remaining attractive to buyers.

Bottom line: What is the best business for a woman to start?

There truly is no one-size-fits-all approach to deciding which business to start. Choosing the right business for yourself is all about figuring out what you love to do and how you can make money doing it. 

There are three key questions to ask yourself when youโ€™re thinking about starting a business: 

  1. Am I passionate about it?
  2. Do I have the skills or knowledge to run it?
  3. Can I make money doing it? 

If you answered yes to all three, youโ€™ve found your match. But whatever business you decide to start, you canโ€™t run it successfully without a top-notch website. A website is the primary way you can communicate the value of your business and build trust with the people who will become your customers.

Looking for more ways to earn extra income? Here are 86 side hustles and ways to earn passive income. Plus, learn about how to manifest money (if you believe in that sort of thing).

7 recession-proof businesses to start now to earn more money

What business can I do as a mother?

Whether youโ€™re happily married, newly divorced, or just a single mom, if youโ€™re interested in starting your own business, the good news is there are tons of options out there to choose from, many you can do with little more than an internet connection.

What business can I do from home?

One of the great things about being a working mom today is the fact that so many jobs can be done from the comfort of your own home. This gives you the freedom to stay on top of mom-life while still making money.

How do I start my own business as a mom?

There are four steps to get started: 1. Decide what kind of work you want to do. 2. Forming an LLC. 3. Buy a domain name and launch a website. 4. Start building a client base.

If itโ€™s been a while since you hit the dating scene, youโ€™ll realize that a lot has changed. While Match.com and eharmony were once the go-tos for online dating sites, apps have changed the game as to how people meet.

You can thank Tinder for setting the stage for on-demand dating.

When it comes to dating apps, Tinder reigns as the OG. With its invention of the swipe (they actually trademarked swipe right and swipe left), Tinder is as synonymous with dating apps as Uber is to ride-sharing.

In fact, the app prides itself in having more than 55 billion matches and is available in 190 countries. While Tinder was originally branded as a hook-up app, the platform now promotes making connections, whether itโ€™s to find love, or just date around, or to hook up. (I personally know many married couples who met on Tinder!)

In fact, right now Tinder is my go-to dating app. Iโ€™ve been having a great time chatting and meeting up with my matches.

Here are our top three dating app recommendations:

eharmonyTinderHinge
– A- BBB rating
– Focused on serious relationships
– 150-point personality report
– Apps for iOS and Android
– 100% member verification (no catfishing)		– Billions of potential matches worldwide
– For love, casual dating, and hookups
– No long sign-up process
– Easy, swipe-based matching
– Photo verification		– Focused on serious relationships
– Lots of free features, including messaging
– Algorithm designed to match compatible people
– Prompts encourage conversation
– Hybrid between eharmony and Tinder

If youโ€™re curious about Tinder can offer to your dating it, read on, or try Tinder free now >>

How does Tinder work?

Whoโ€™s on Tinder?

Is Tinder good for dating?

How much does Tinder cost?

Tinder pros and cons

Tinder reviews

Can you delete Tinder?

Tinder vs. Bumble

Tinder vs. Hinge

Tinder vs. eharmony

Bottom line: Is Tinder a good dating site?

How does Tinder work?

Tinderโ€™s app design is very simple and customizable; you can include as little or as much about yourself in your profile. First, users fill out their profile with basic info (name, age, occupation, sexual orientation). Then, youโ€™ll upload photos and (if you want) write a blurb about yourself, and include โ€œpassionsโ€ to share your interests. 

Want advice for what to say in your bio? Check out our advice:

As for matches, you can go to your settings and filter who you want to see by distance, age range, and gender.

Swiping: How many swipes do you get on Tinder?

Once you create your profile, you can begin swiping. Just how many swipes you get per day depends on the user. There is no set amount. Tinder uses its own algorithm to calculate your daily maximum swipes. 

When you see a profile you like, you swipe right. If youโ€™re not into them, you swipe left. When itโ€™s a mutual swipe right, you have a match!

Anyone can make the first move and Tinder also allows you to send GIFs and photos if youโ€™re at a loss for what to say.

Other features to help you find your match

Besides basic swiping, Tinder also has features to help you boost your chances of getting matches: โ€œsuper likes,โ€ top pics, and profile boosting.

You can give one โ€œsuper likeโ€ per day, which means you give your matches a โ€œblue starโ€ to help you stand out better. According to Tinder, your chances of matching are 3x more with a super like, and conversations last 70% percent longer. 

You also have the option to boost your profile, which lets you get 10x more profile views.

Tinder also has a feature called top picks, where the app curates matches that they think youโ€™d like based on your interests and swipe history. Tinder allows you to look at them once a day and choose to match with one profile that piques your interest. And if youโ€™re trying to avoid any exes or weirdos, Tinder just added a new feature that lets you block contacts so you wonโ€™t run into them while youโ€™re swiping.

Who's on Tinder?

Short answer: Everyoneโ€™s on Tinder. People looking for booty calls, people looking to meet people (as platonic friends or possibly something serious), cougars, and people looking for a partner. Even married people are on Tinder.

With so many people on Tinder, itโ€™s easy to get tons of matches off the bat. But sometimes quantity doesnโ€™t always mean quality. Youโ€™ll find fake profiles or may experience little to no interaction from matches. 

In my personal experience, Iโ€™ve encountered many profiles where all youโ€™ll see is a shirtless body (no face pics) or just a collection of expensive watches and cars. But Iโ€™ve also encountered nice, well-intentioned men with whom I have wonderful conversations that lead to a successful night of dinner and drinks. It is possible to find love on Tinder, you just need to really search for it.

Is Tinder worth it for over 40?

Tinder might be worth trying if youโ€™re over 40, especially according to recent data on online dating over 40. The user base skews younger with 45% of users aged 25 to 34 and 76% of all users living in cities.1

So, itโ€™ll depend on the age range of who you prefer to get to know. Some users in the Reddit r/datingoverforty community think it's less about your age and more about your geographic location.

Reddit user shares advice about dating over forty on Tinder.
Reddit user shares some of the challenges of dating over forty on Tinder.

Take a look at what this 40+ Redditor shared about her Tinder stats:

36 Days of Tinder stats for mid-40s female
byu/bbb74 indatingoverthirty

Itโ€™s worth a try to see what connections you can make on Tinder, though there are also still plenty of places to meet someone over 40 IRL.

Is Tinder good for dating?

Tinderโ€™s easy-to-use platform and its on-demand dating appeal quickly gained the reputation of the โ€œhookup app.โ€ But donโ€™t be turned off about the appโ€™s stigma, it is possible to find love on Tinder. 

Has anyone ever actually gotten a relationship from a dating app?
byu/wadiostar inTinder
I want to hear some Tinder-Success stories!
byu/just_brioche indating_advice

How much does Tinder cost?

Tinder app is free to use, but they do have subscription plans priced at one month, six months, and 12 months. These subscription plans offer more features to help your profile get more attention. Like with most dating apps, Tinderโ€™s free version offers a taste of what the app can do for your dating life. Hereโ€™s what you get with the free Tinder app:

  • Up to 100 likes a day
  • One โ€œsuper likeโ€ a day
  • Option to choose 1 profile daily from your top picks

But if you want to maximize your chances of finding a quality match, you may want to consider these subscription apps.

Hereโ€™s how the other packages stack up (prices updated September 2025).

SubscriptionPriceFeatures
Tinder Plus1 month: $17.99

6 months: $9.00/month

12 months: $6.00/month		– No ads
– Unlimited likes
– Unlimited rewind (Let's go back and match with a person if you change your mind.)
– Passport feature: Users can swipe on potential suitors in different destinations around the world no matter where they are.
Tinder Gold1 month: $26.99

6 months: $13.50/month

12 months: $9.00/month		– All the features of Tinder Plus
– See which people already liked you
– Youโ€™ll be shown top picks on a daily basis
– Free super likes
– One free boost a month
Tinder Platinum1 month: $35.99

6 months: $18.00/month

12 months: $11.25/month		– All the features of Tinder Plus and Tinder Gold
– Priority Likes (any profile you like gets seen faster by potential matches vs non-subscribers)
– Lets you message suitors before you match
– See likes youโ€™ve sent

Try Tinder free now >>

What are the pros of using Tinder?

Here are some of the pros of using Tinder:

  • You can tailor the app to fit your needs
  • It has tips of how to be safe yet have fun
  • It offers advice on dating and consent
  • You can verify your profile with a photo test 
  • You can change your geographic location with Tinder Passport

What are the cons of using Tinder?

Here are some cons to using Tinder:

  • You can leave your profile blank
  • Fake profiles 
  • Profiles don't share basic information like height, education, or religion
  • Hard to filter out promising matches

8 rules for friends with benefits

Tinder reviews

Men and women often have vastly different experiences in the online dating world, and Tinder is no exception. Check out these reviews from men and women who have used the dating app. 

Tinder reviews from a woman 

Check out this Reddit thread where women weigh in on their Tinder experiences:

Ladies, are you on Tinder? If so, how has your experience (s) been?
byu/susxxi inAskWomen

Tinder reviews from women on sites like Trustpilot and ConsumerAffairs range from scathing to glowing. 

The following feedback shows the negatives and positives of using the app as a woman. Hereโ€™s what they shared:

Pros:

  • Finding love is possible
  • Good matches happen

Cons:

  • Possible shadow banning
  • Scary or boring men
  • Weird comments
Tinder Trustpilot Review From July 2024-3
Tinder Trustpilot Review From July 2024-2

Tinder reviews from a man

A similar Reddit thread asks men to weigh in on their Tinder experiences, good and bad. Hereโ€™s what they shared:

Pros:

  • Finding a life partner

Cons:

  • Fake profiles
  • Spam notifications
Posts from the askmen
community on Reddit

A lot of Tinder reviews from men talk about the large number of fake profiles and spammers who try to contact them, but there are a few success stories sprinkled in:

Man's positive Tinder review about meeting wife.

Tinder Better Business Bureau and Trustpilot reviews

As of September 2025, Tinder has a B rating on the Better Business Bureau and has a 1.1 star rating on Trustpilot, with the majority of reviews expressing frustration over the lack of customer support and the number of fake profiles they encounter.

Tinder BBB Page From February 2025

Tinder reviews on Reddit

Reddit has a whole Tinder channel, including profile reviews (harsh!), feedback on your profile pics, and more. Comb the threads for the good, bad, hilarious and ugly.

Can you delete Tinder?

Deleting Tinder is easy so itโ€™s worth giving it a try to see how it works for you. To delete your account for good, go to settings and tap โ€œdelete account.โ€ Tinder will ask you some questions asking why youโ€™re deleting the app, also giving you the option to pause the dating app. With subscriptions, you can cancel through the app and youโ€™ll just have to pay the rest of the month.

Tinder vs. Bumble

Bumble and Tinder work very similarly (after all, it was founded by a former Tinder exec). But on Bumble, women make the first move, while on Tinder, anyone can reach out and message first.

Bumble also provides a lot more upfront information about the profile youโ€™re looking at (such as height, religion, etc.), whereas Tinder doesnโ€™t require users to disclose those details.

Tinder vs. Hinge

Hinge focuses on creating long-term relationships. It encourages users to interact with each other based on prompts that theyโ€™re required to fill out as opposed to just photos. Tinder does not offer any prompts and allows users to have free rein to create their profiles.

Tinder vs. eharmony

Another website focused on creating long-term relationships, eharmony matches users based on a compatibility quiz, relying on science to compare you and our matchesโ€™ traits to help you get closer to meeting your partner.

While Tinder is for all kinds of dating โ€” serious, casual, marriage-minded, sex โ€” eharmony is solely focused on helping singles find long-term partnerships and marriage.

With Tinder, youโ€™re matching with people based on proximity and have little to no knowledge of your compatibility between matches.

Tinder's prices are lower than that of eharmony, which is solely focused on long-term relationships, and has a proven success rate in helping singles find marriage and relationships โ€” as well as a lower-than average divorce rate. Read more in our eharmony review.

Bottom line: Is Tinder a good dating site?

It can be! Because Tinder is all about making connections and doesnโ€™t emphasize long-term relationships, it could be a great place to start if youโ€™re new to online dating after a divorce, break up or as a single mom or dad. And once youโ€™re in the groove, youโ€™ll easily be able to weed out profiles to find your perfect match.

Try Tinder now free >>

Interested in checking out other dating sites and apps for single parents? Here are some dating app reviews:

SingleParentMeetZooskPlenty of Fish
BumbleAdult Friend FinderMatch.com
Seeking ArrangementOKCupid13 internationaldating apps
Dating.comMillionaire MatchThe League
  1. โ€œ15 Telling Tinder Statistics [2023]: Users, Profit, and More,โ€ Zippia  https://www.zippia.com/advice/tinder-statistics/
How does Tinder work?

First, users fill out their profile, asking them for basic info (name, age, occupation, sexual orientation). Then, theyโ€™ll ask you to upload photos and (if you want) write a blurb about yourself, and include โ€œpassionsโ€ to share your interests. As for matches, you can go to your settings and filter who you want to see and then start swiping.

How much does Tinder cost?

Tinder app is free to use, but they do have subscription plans priced at one month, six months, and 12 months. These subscription plans offer more features to help your profile get more attention. Like with most dating apps, Tinderโ€™s free version offers a taste of what the app can do.

Is Tinder a good site?

It can be! Because Tinder is all about making connections and doesnโ€™t emphasize long-term relationships, it could be a great place to start if youโ€™re new to online dating after a divorce, break up or as a single mom or dad.

Family therapy is a type of psychological counseling aimed at improving family communication, resolving conflicts, and creating a better understanding between family members.

Family counseling sessions are therapy led by a psychologist, licensed therapist, or clinical social worker, all using a variety of techniques to both understand the situation and provide guidance. Many will have masterโ€™s degrees and doctorates, and may also be accredited by the America Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT).

Marriage and family therapists regularly practice short-term therapy with an average of 12 sessions, according to the AAMFT.

At any given time, family therapists are counseling more than 1.8 million people, according to the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy. 

Since 1970, the number of marriage and family therapists in the country has grown 50-fold. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics notes more than 42,000 family and marriage therapists exist in its most recent data, from 2017. 

Is family counseling a good idea?

Dr. Felicia Pressley, a licensed professional counselor in Maryland, works with families to build and strengthen their bond. She says family counseling is a good idea especially when there are transitions within the family: death, moving, change in schools, etc. 

โ€œFamily counseling helps the family to establish or reestablish goals and identify each family member's role in the family,โ€ she says. โ€œIt can also help families to address underlying issues within the family dynamics.โ€

For childrenโ€™s behavioral problems, family therapy has been shown to be effective, demonstrated by a review of more than 20 analyses of systemic family therapy interventions. The review showed that on average, families who visited a counselor fared 71% better after therapy and at follow up than their peers in control groups. 

In both children and adults, systemic therapy has been shown to be effective in helping with more than 72 scenarios, according to a report examining studies by The Association for Family Therapy and Systemic Practice. The report reviewed dozens of studies, concluding that family and couples therapy have a positive effect on mood disorders, eating disorders, problems with couple relationships, substance abuse, depression, and family strife, among many others. 

Yes, family counseling could be a good idea for you and your kids. Continue reading why.

What does family counseling do?

What are the goals of family therapy?

What are the types of family counseling?

What are the advantages and disadvantages of family therapy?

When should you seek family therapy?

What questions should I ask my family therapist?

Seeking family counseling near me? Consider online options instead

What does family counseling do?

Heidi McBain, a licensed marriage and family therapist based in Texas, says family therapy can help you more clearly see your family roles and patterns.

โ€œThis new insight can help you intentionally do things differently so you donโ€™t just continue to fall into the same dysfunctional patterns over and over again,โ€ McBain says.

The cracks in family relationships can cause distress, rising tensions, and conflict. Sometimes the challenges arise from a family member in an intense situation, such as substance abuse, financial crisis, divorce, or mental health problems. In family therapy, a counselor will become familiar with any existing patterns or pre-established systems within a family, not focusing on only one personโ€™s role. They will then provide thoughts to help family members understand how theyโ€™ve been functioning and offer ideas to modify behaviors or patterns. 

If your family is walking through some challenges such as:

  • Out-of-control child behavior
  • Recovering from the trauma of a serious illness
  • Emotional overload from anxiety
  • Sexual abuse
  • Grief
  • Living through a divorce
  • Sense that you or your co-parent has a toxic parenting style

You may find yourselves in a pattern thatโ€™s leaving you frustrated and angry.  Family therapy can help you pinpoint specific causes and challenges and clearly lay out positive and negative ways youโ€™re dealing with it โ€” as individuals and as a group.

In family counseling, you can collectively learn new ways to interact with each other and overcome unhealthy patterns. Together you can set goals and work to achieve them.

In family counseling sessions, a therapist can help a family manage:

  • Mental illness
  • Poor communication
  • Ongoing relationship frustrations
  • Children struggling to stay focused in school
  • Problems with childrenโ€™s social interactions
  • Substance abuse effects
  • Trauma
  • Child outbursts
  • Parenting disagreements
  • Chronic health problems
  • Child and teenage behaviors
  • Tension between family generations
  • Navigating a blended family
  • Depression
  • Emotional disorders
  • Grief and loss
  • Eating disorders
  • Emotional abuse or violence
  • Self-harm

Family relationships are an important part of psychological health, and help to shape your well-being throughout your life, according to a study, which defines well-being as impacting happiness, physical health, satisfaction with life, and good mental health. Marriages of high quality are associated with lower levels of stress and depression, according to a study published in the Annals of Behavioral Medicine. 

What are the goals of family therapy?

Amy Armstrong, a family therapist and co-parent coach based in Columbus, Ohio, says there are three main reasons families typically seek therapy: 

  • The parents believe they have tried everything to impact their childโ€™s behavior and are not seeing an improvement. 
  • There is significant impairment in basic functioning, such as eating, sleeping, succeeding in school or work, engaging with others outside of the home, or participating in normal activities.
  • When emotional issues leave family members feeling depressed, anxious, angry, frustrated, or sad and new skills are needed to help everyone cope and feel better. 

โ€œIdeally, each family member can express what changes to the family functioning would be the most meaningful to them,โ€ Armstrong says.

Families going to a counselor can have many different types of goals, including:

  • Improved communication
  • Reduced conflict
  • Working through financial challenges
  • Develop healthy boundaries
  • Better problem solving
  • Better two-way empathy
  • Reduced tension and frustration

Other goals can be even more specific, such as navigating divorce, managing addiction as a family, or supporting a teenager struggling with self-harm or depression. In some cases, you might seek out counseling because of challenges woven throughout your family, but in other cases, it may be an issue one person is facing. 

What are the types of family counseling?

Family counselors will use a few different types of therapy approaches, depending on the familyโ€™s goals and reasons for pursuing family therapy.

These types of therapy are explained below, per the American Psychological Association website.

Supportive family therapy

According to online therapy provider Thriveworks, this is a method to help each person express their feelings surrounding a problem that affects the family. The goal of this method is to provide a safe and open environment, so everyone can honestly discuss issues. The therapist then offers practical tactics to use to work through the issue at hand.

Cognitive-behavioral therapy

CBT involves the counselor supporting a change in the ways family members think or behave in certain scenarios. By bringing awareness to these patterns, family members can then change their thoughts and behaviors.

Transgenerational therapy

Transgenerational therapy addresses how each family member interacts with one another across multiple generations. These observations will help the therapist understand the core issues that are challenging the group right now, as well as future tensions that may arise.

Structural family therapy

This technique evaluates the dynamics of the family, including relationships, patterns, and behaviors during each session. Counselors can examine the subsets within the family system, such as relationships between parents and siblings, or siblings with each other. The evaluation helps guide the advice offered by the therapist.

Systemic family therapy

Systemic family therapy focuses on the complex relationship patterns within the family. The counselor will work to identify pervasive ideas and attitudes shown on behalf of the family, which will help them uncover the underlying issues within the family. Then, the therapist will work to shift attitudes and relationships to a more beneficial and more realistic place.

Psychodynamic ideas in therapy

This theory looks to reveal an individual family memberโ€™s subconscious. The counselor will work to reduce problems cropping up by identifying these underlying issues, and helping families work through their difficulties based on the real sources of the problems.

Functional family therapy

Functional Family Therapy is an intensive, short-term intervention/prevention program of in-home family counseling that is often used to refer 11 to 18-year-olds by juvenile justice programs. According to the Functional Family Therapy website, FFT has been used since the 1970s, and is designed to address status-offending issues like curfew violations, running away, and truancy. FFT assesses family dynamics that contribute to the teen's behavior, addresses strained family communication, improves parenting skills, and aims to change behavior, relationships and long-term outcomes.

Group therapy approaches

Group therapy can complement family counseling by offering a structured environment where members learn interpersonal skills, emotional regulation, and healthy communication. These sessions often include guided exercises and conflict resolution in group therapy that help individuals practice managing tension and responding more constructively to family stressors.

What are the advantages of family therapy?

Attending family therapy sessions can help you explore the different roles each family member fulfills, as well as behavior patterns and issues that may be contributing to conflict or poor communication.

A key result of family counseling is to learn the right tools to work through issues you may be facing.

In family therapy sessions, the counselor will work to help the family identify their strengths โ€” of both individuals and the family unit as a whole โ€” such as how they care for each other, as well as weaknesses that can be improved upon, such as difficulty trusting each other.

Family therapy sessions can help you work through situations causing stress, grief, and anger.

What are the disadvantages of family therapy?

With several individuals attending sessions, it may not always be a low-cost option.

Sometimes, a family approach may come at the cost of an individualโ€™s needs, as โ€œfor the good of the wholeโ€ advice may not provide the right path for every individual, depending on the scenario, according to a study reported on in Psychology Today. Confidentiality is lost in a family session as well, according to the study, which may be concerning to attendees. 

When should you seek family therapy?

It is also likely to result in finding coping skills you can use individually and as a group to bring you closer together and lessen the frustrations and challenges youโ€™re facing, the clinic shares. 

If youโ€™re finding communication in your family at a standstill, tensions rising, frustrations boiling, or intense issues getting worse instead of better, it may be wise to seek out family therapy. 

What questions should I ask my family therapist?

Before you begin in family therapy sessions, you can ask your therapist several questions to help you better understand the process and their qualifications:

  • What is your education and training background?
  • Are you licensed to provide therapy in your state?
  • What is your experience with my familyโ€™s specific challenges?
  • Are you available during emergencies or on short notice?
  • How long is each session?
  • How much does each session cost, and are we covered by insurance?
  • What is their policy for canceled sessions?

Seeking family counseling near me? Consider online options instead

The ease and convenience of scheduling a therapy appointment online can benefit a family with schedules hard to align.

It can also be more convenient as you can use almost any device to video chat, call, or text with a therapist. Studies find that online therapy can be just as effective as in-person therapy.

Read my own personal experience with the online therapy platform in our BetterHelp review.

Or, learn about other top online therapy sites.

Is family counseling a good idea?

Dr. Felicia Pressley, a licensed professional counselor in Maryland, works with families to build and strengthen their bond. She says family counseling is a good idea especially when there are transitions within the family: death, moving, change in schools, etc.

What does family counseling do?

Heidi McBain, a licensed marriage and family therapist based in Texas, says family therapy can help you more clearly see your family roles and patterns.

What are the goals of family therapy?

Amy Armstrong, a family therapist and co-parent coach based in Columbus, Ohio, says there are three main reasons families typically seek therapy:ย 1) The parents believe they have tried everything to impact their childโ€™s behavior and are not seeing an improvement.ย 2) There is significant impairment in basic functioning, such as eating, sleeping, succeeding in school or work, engaging with others outside of the home, or participating in normal activities. 3) When emotional issues leave family members feeling depressed, anxious, angry, frustrated, or sad and new skills are needed to help everyone cope and feel better.

If youโ€™re a freelancer or entrepreneur, or thinking about becoming one, itโ€™s vital to protect yourself and your business.

Here are the top disability insurance providers for self-employed workers:

  • Northwestern Mutual
  • Guardian
  • Mutual of Omaha
  • Assurity
  • Breeze

Which is the best?

Quick answer: You need disability insurance as well as life insurance. Those who do not have disability insurance through a job, including the self-employed, can find individual coverage through reputable companies for an affordable price. Breeze disability insurance plans start at $9/month for people aged 18 to 60 years old, with monthly benefits ranging from $500 to $20,000.

In the market for life insurance? Bestow's rate is as low as $10/month and policies up to $1.5 million, with guaranteed no medical or lab exam. Read our Bestow review.

Hereโ€™s what you need to know about disability insurance for the self-employed and Breeze insurance:

What is Breeze?

What disability insurance Breeze offers

How much a Breeze disability insurance policy cost

How Breeze works

Pros and cons of Breeze insurance

Breeze insurance reviews

Disability insurance for self-employed individuals

Common questions about disability insurance

Bottom line: Is disability insurance worth it?

What is Breeze?

Breeze is an insurtech start-up that specializes in long-term disability insurance. Founded in 2019, it is underwritten by Assurity Life Insurance Company, which has been in business for more than 125 years and has an โ€œexcellentโ€ rating from A.M. Best.

Currently, Breeze is the only insurance company offering a 100% online application process. Thanks to fully automated underwriting, Breeze can provide instant quotes and set you up with a long-term disability insurance policy in as little as 15 minutes from start to finish. You probably wonโ€™t even need to take time out from your workday for a doctorโ€™s exam or blood work.

Bonus: If your income is under $4,000 per month, you donโ€™t have to provide any proof of earnings. Those making more than $4,000 monthly have to provide just a pay stub or tax return.

Here are a few of the free features in every Breeze policy:

  • Presumptive disability: In the case of loss of eyesight, hearing, speech or limbs, thereโ€™s no elimination period โ€“ benefits begin immediately.
  • Partial disability: If you return to work part-time after full disability, youโ€™ll get a monthly benefit for up to six more months.
  • Home modification: This is a benefit for those who have to retrofit your home to accommodate a disability.
  • Survivor benefit: If you die after receiving payments for at least 12 months, Breeze pays a lump sum equal to six times the monthly benefit.

Based on the information you provide, Breeze will give you personalized options (good, better, best) that you can customize. For example, you can add options like a non-cancelable policy or โ€œguaranteed insurability,โ€ which lets you buy more coverage to add to your base policy monthly benefit. 

What disability insurance Breeze offers

Breeze long-term disability terms

Breeze primarily offers long-term disability insurance coverage. While 10-year terms are the most common, Breeze does offer a variety of other terms as well:

  • 1-year term
  • 2-year term
  • 5-year term
  • 10-year term
  • To age 65
  • To Age 67

For most individuals, a 10-year term will offer an appropriate level of coverage, but other term lengths have their own role to play. 

For example, if you have just 1, 2, or 5 years until you will be eligible for retirement benefits, then those shorter terms can help you protect your ability to bring in money during those final years. Likewise, if you are particularly risk-averse, longer terms that cover you until you are full retirement age (65 or 67 years old, depending on when you were born), then those policies can also be a good fit.

Breeze long-term disability optional riders

Breeze also offers a number of optional riders that you can add to your policy in order to account for a variety of possible scenarios. While the addition of riders will increase your total cost, they can often be a good idea. The optional riders offered by Breeze include:

  • Automatic Benefit Increase Rider: Each year you maintain your coverage, your base monthly benefit will increase by 5% (of the original amount) until the monthly benefit has increased to double the original amount.
  • Guaranteed Insurability Rider: This rider gives you the option to increase your monthly benefit by purchasing additional coverage at a later date if your salary increases, essentially locking in your ability to purchase disability insurance. These increases wonโ€™t require evidence of insurability.
  • Own Occupation Rider: Own occupation insurance provides disability insurance in the event that you become disabled and can no longer work in the occupation you held before becoming disabledโ€”even if you can technically work in a different occupation. The addition of this rider extends the own occupation period of your policy from two years through the full term.
  • Residual Disability Benefit Rider: This rider provides a residual disability monthly payment in the event you become residually disabled and the elimination period has been satisfied.
  • Supplemental DI Rider: This rider provides additional insurance on top of the monthly benefit provided by social insurance benefits in the event you are totally disabled. 

Breeze Critical Illness Insurance 

In addition to long-term disability insurance, Breeze also provides critical illness insurance. This is insurance that is specifically designed to pay you a cash benefit if you become afflicted by a serious illness that impacts your ability to work.

Conditions covered by Breezeโ€™s critical illness insurance policies include:

  • Heart attack
  • Major Organ Transplant
  • Angioplasty
  • Stroke
  • Paralysis
  • Coma
  • Kidney failure
  • Coronary artery bypass surgery
  • Advanced Alzheimerโ€™s disease 
  • Cancer (invasive and non-invasive)

If the event that you are afflicted by a covered condition, you will receive a lump-sum cash payment that you can either use to cover you medical expenses, regular monthly expenses, or other things.  

How much a Breeze disability insurance policy cost

Plans start as low as $9 per month for people aged 18-60 years old. Monthly benefits range from a low of $500 to a high of $20,000.

Ultimately, the cost of your monthly premium will depend on a number of factors, including:

  • Your age and health at the time of application
  • Your occupation
  • The coverage amount (monthly benefit) you choose
  • The benefit period or term you select
  • The elimination period/waiting period you choose
  • Whether or not you add any additional optional riders

How Breeze works

Getting an initial quote through Breeze is 100% online and takes less than 5 minutes from start to finish.

To get your initial quote, provide:

  • Birthdate
  • Gender
  • Work status (whether you are an employee, a business owner, or an independent contractor)
  • Type of work (professional, technical, light labor, labor)
  • How many hours you work per week
  • Net annual income (income minus taxes, work-related expenses, pre-tax retirement contributions, etc.)
  • Zip code
  • Whether or not you use nicotine
  • Whether you are looking to protect your future, purchase coverage during maternity leave, or are looking for financial assistance because you are currently disabled

Youโ€™ll then receive three different recommended coverage options, designed to fit within your budget. You can customize these options easily by adjusting the term length, coverage amounts, elimination/waiting period, and adding optional riders. 

If youโ€™d like to proceed, just click โ€œApply Nowโ€ to begin the full application. Youโ€™ll be asked questions about whether or not you have ever:

  • Filed for bankruptcy
  • Had a heart attack or stroke (in last 5 years)
  • Been diagnosed with cancer (in last 5 years)
  • Used cocaine, heroin, or other illegal drugs (in last 5 years)
  • Been charged or convicted of a felony (in past 10 years)
  • Are currently on probation
  • Been diagnosed or treated with diabetes (in past year)
  • Ever been diagnosed with AIDs/HIV-related conditions

You will then create an account by providing your name, email address, phone number, and physical address. At this point, youโ€™ll need to confirm your previous answers, and provide some additional details about your:

  • Employment status
  • Legal documents (driverโ€™s license, Social Security Number)
  • Lifestyle
  • General health & health history

You will also need to consent to Breeze obtaining relevant information from third parties (such as health information, driving records, credit history, etc.).  

Upon completion of these questions, if you qualify for coverage Breeze will provide you with a final quote.

Pros and cons of Breeze insurance

Pros of Breeze

  • Breezeโ€™s application process is entirely online
  • Breeze rarely requires medical examinations
  • It takes less than 5 minutes to complete the initial application and get a variety of quotes
  • Policies are extremely affordable, starting at just $9 per month 
  • A variety of term lengths (1-, 2-, 5-, 10-year, etc.) allow you to choose the right policy for your needs
  • Additional riders (automatic benefit increase, guaranteed insurability, own occupation, residual disability benefit, supplemental DI) give you even more customization options
  • Breeze offers critical illness insurance coverage in addition to long-term disability insurance, providing even more coverage options

Cons of Breeze

  • Breeze does not offer short-term disability coverage
  • If you are denied coverage during the application process, you will not immediately receive an explanation why. That being said, you will receive a letter in a number of weeks with more details about Breezeโ€™s decision. 

Breeze insurance reviews

Breeze unfortunately does not currently have a profile with the BBB. That being said, Breeze does have a profile on Trustpilot, where it maintains an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars based on more than 45 reviews. 

Most reviews of Breeze on Trustpilot are very positive. Below are a number of example positive reviews:

For comparison, below is a screenshot of the single negative review which was left (along with Breezeโ€™s response):

Disability insurance for self-employed individuals

Short-term disability insurance, which is generally available through an employer, provides benefits for up to one year after a short โ€œeliminationโ€ (waiting) period.

Long-term disability insurance may also be offered through an employer, but can easily be purchased by individuals. It has a longer elimination period (generally 30 to 90 days), but continues to pay out until the disability ends or the insured reaches retirement age.

The benefits will depend on the kind of insurance you buy. For example, some policies will pay if you canโ€™t work in your current occupation, while others will pay only if you canโ€™t work in any job youโ€™re qualified to do. Itโ€™s essential to compare apples to apples when researching the cost of disability insurance.

Still have a day job but looking at self-employment? Consider buying long-term disability insurance now, so you can take it with you when you segue into solopreneur-ing. Specify a non-cancelable, guaranteed-renewable policy. That way, your coverage will continue as long as you make your payments.

If youโ€™re already self-employed, look at getting disability insurance right away. As noted, youโ€™ll likely get the lowest premiums when youโ€™re young. For example, Breeze offers policies beginning at just $9 per month, and you can apply online in minutes.

Career-level jobs that are great for moms

How does disability insurance work for individuals who are self-employed?

If illness or injury strikes, you can file a claim for disability benefits with supporting documents from your doctor. After the โ€œeliminationโ€ (waiting) period ends, your monthly payments begin.

Benefits are paid for the number of years specified in the policy; in some cases, that could mean until you reach full retirement age. Some policies also pay for related expenses, such as home modification (e.g., a wheelchair ramp) or vocational rehabilitation.  

When youโ€™re cleared to go back to work, you notify the insurance company to end the payments. Some policies provide partial benefits if you go back to work part-time, or if you can work only in a different kind of job.

How much disability insurance do I need as a self-employed individual?

As noted, a typical policy covers as much as 60% of your current income, up to a cap set by the company. Before choosing your benefit level itโ€™s important to add up all essential expenses. (If youโ€™ve already got a budget plan in place, youโ€™ll know exactly how much it costs to support your lifestyle.)

The earlier you buy the policy, the less it will cost. Thatโ€™s because the older we get, the more likely we are to become sick or injured. For example, suppose in your late 20s youโ€™re treated for a repetitive strain injury. When you apply for disability insurance at 35, RSI might be excluded from coverage.

Note: When you buy your own disability insurance policy, any benefits paid out are not taxed. However, benefits from an employer-paid policy are subject to income tax.

How much does disability insurance cost for individuals who are self-employed?

Generally speaking, a policy will run between 1% to 3% of your salary.

If you are self employed, disability coverage is based on your income as reported on the past two years of your tax returns. For example, for a sole proprietor, use your 1040 and Schedule C. For an S Corp, your 1040, W2 and Schedule E are used.

If you have been self-employed for less than two years, the disability insurer will ask for recent W2s or other documents.

Unlike many health insurance premiums, disability insurance premiums are not tax-deductible. However, any benefits paid through an individual disability insurance plan are tax-free.

How do I get disability insurance?

Disability insurance for the self-employed is available through traditional insurance companies, independent brokers, unions and โ€œinsurtechโ€ companies like Breeze.

Look for a company with a superior financial rating. Agencies like Moodyโ€™s and A.M. Best rate insurance companies; just like in school, a grade with an โ€œAโ€ in it indicates the better-performing companies.

In most cases youโ€™ll need to show two yearsโ€™ worth of tax paperwork to prove you earn a living as a self-employed person. Youโ€™ll also need to provide a family medical history and both personal and professional information.

Some level of medical examination, including blood tests, is generally necessary. (But not always; Breeze rarely requires an exam.) Youโ€™ll probably need to authorize the release of medical records and, in some cases, your driving record and credit report. Breeze only uses social security numbers to verify identity โ€” not qualify you for coverage. 

Google the phrase โ€œdisability insurance for the self-employedโ€ and youโ€™ll find traditional insurance companies offering to match you with agents in your city. At that point youโ€™d go through the process noted above.

11 steps to survive financially for single moms

Common questions about disability insurance

What is disability insurance? 

Disability insurance is just what it sounds like: a policy meant to replace a portion of your income if illness or injury leaves you unable to work. Each insurance company has its own limits, but typically disability insurance covers up to 60% of your pre-tax salary.

Disability insurance is part of your overall financial health. Also make sure you are:

  1. Paying off debt.
  2. Have a $1,000+ emergency fund, and a basic investing strategy.
  3. Get life insurance.
  4. Have home or renters insurance.

Disability insurance is a common workplace benefit, often partially or completely paid for by the employer. But disability insurance for the self-employed is a different matter, because thereโ€™s no employer to arrange it.

No one likes to think about becoming disabled. Yet according to the Social Security Administration, a little more than 25% of todayโ€™s 20-year-old workers will become disabled before retirement.

Workersโ€™ Compensation only covers injuries and illnesses that are directly caused by the workplace. Social Security Disability Insurance is another benefit source, but only about 1 in 3 applicants qualify, the average processing time is more than 18 months, and the average SSDI benefit is $1,197 per month.

What does disability insurance cover?

The insurance covers illness, injury and other conditions (such as pregnancy) that keep you out of the workforce. According to data collected by the nonprofit Council for Disability Awareness, the top five reasons for long-term disability claims are:

  1. Musculoskeletal disorders (29%)
  2. Cancer (15%)
  3. Pregnancy (9.4%)
  4. Mental health issues, such as depression and anxiety (9.1%)
  5. Injuries such as sprains, fractures, and strains of muscles and ligaments (9%)

What is not covered by disability insurance?

Typically, any injury or illness originating in these situations is not covered by disability insurance:

  • Fighting in a war.
  • While committing a crime, participating in a riot, or while in jail.
  • Self-inflicted or intentional injury to yourself.

Is disability insurance based on income?

Yes, you will need to prove your most recent income to qualify for any sum of disability insurance.

The monthly benefit payout amount should be about 60% of your take-home pay. You may be able to purchase more disability insurance to cover increases in the cost of living.

Bottom line: Is disability insurance worth it? Is Breeze a good insurance company?

Disability insurance for the self-employed is not just worth it โ€“ itโ€™s crucial. When self-employed workers canโ€™t bring in money, they canโ€™t get paid. The business you worked so hard to build could be heavily affected โ€“ or maybe even collapse โ€“ if you are unable to work. Having disability insurance could mean the difference between financial survival and financial disaster.

If youโ€™re in the market for disability insurance for the self-employed, Breeze is the fastest and easiest way to do it. Within a quarter of an hour you can obtain coverage that provides peace of mind and lets you get back to the business of growing your business.

What is Breeze?

Breezeย is an insurtech start-up that specializes in long-term disability insurance. Founded in 2019, it is underwritten by Assurity Life Insurance Company, which has been in business for more than 125 years and has an โ€œexcellentโ€ rating from A.M. Best.

How does disability insurance work for individuals who are self-employed?

If illness or injury strikes, you can file a claim for disability benefits with supporting documents from your doctor. After the โ€œeliminationโ€ (waiting) period ends, your monthly payments begin. Benefits are paid for the number of years specified in the policy.

How much disability insurance do I need as a self-employed individual?

As noted, a typical policy covers as much as 60% of your current income, up to a cap set by the company. Before choosing your benefit level itโ€™s important to add upย allย essential expenses.

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