How to Create a Post-Divorce Budget: Divorce Help for Financial Fresh Starts
September 20, 2025Categories: Divorce Recovery Essentials, Podcast Episode
Faith and Hope: Divorce Support Guide with Wyatt Prescott
This podcast offers compassionate, faith-centered conversations exploring divorce help, divorce counseling, and divorce support groups. Inspired by stories of resilience and renewal, each episode provides practical advice and spiritual encouragement to navigate marital crisis. Listeners will find actionable guidance and divorce resources to overcome heartbreak and embrace new beginnings through faith. Whether facing separation or supporting others, this series illuminates the path toward healing and growth.
Setting Up a Post-Divorce Budget: Getting Your Finances Back on Track
Hey, I want to talk to you today about something a lot of people don’t really get enough support with after a divorce—setting up a solid post-divorce budget. I mean, when you’re going through all the emotional ups and downs, it’s easy to overlook the financial chaos that often comes with it. And honestly, that’s one of the biggest hurdles to truly moving on.
So if you or someone you know is navigating life after divorce, this episode is for you. One thing that’s really important—before you handle money—is to get some divorce support in place. That can mean anything from divorce counseling to divorce support groups or even divorce assistance programs. Having people who understand what you’re going through can make tackling the budget way less overwhelming.
Why a Post-Divorce Budget Is Different
When you were married, budgeting was often a shared effort, even if one person managed more of the day-to-day finances. After divorce, you’re basically starting fresh, and that means you might be facing new expenses—like rent or mortgage payments, utility bills, maybe child support, or alimony—on just one income. Sometimes, that income has even changed if you left a job or had reduced hours during the marriage.
So setting up a budget isn’t just about tracking what you spend—it’s about building a new financial foundation with realistic numbers that reflect your current life. You want to avoid living paycheck to paycheck or digging into debt, which unfortunately can happen if you don’t plan carefully.
How to Start Setting Your Post-Divorce Budget
Here’s the basic approach I usually share:
- List All Your Income
Include everything—salary, child support, alimony, freelance gigs, or side hustles. Knowing exactly what you’re working with is crucial. - Outline All Your Expenses
Break them into fixed (rent/mortgage, car payments) and variable (groceries, entertainment). This will help you see where you might have flexibility. - Prioritize Essential Expenses
Housing, utilities, food, transportation, and healthcare must come first. - Cut or Reduce Non-Essentials
This is where you negotiate with yourself a bit—subscriptions, dining out, any spending you can trim. - Build an Emergency Fund
Even a small safety net can restore peace of mind. Aim for $500 initially and build from there.
This process can feel confusing, especially when emotions are still raw. That’s why reaching out for divorce advice and divorce help—whether through counseling or support groups—can really guide you through making practical decisions.
Leveraging Divorce Resources
If you’re wondering where to start, there are a lot of great divorce resources that offer budgeting worksheets, financial planning tips, and support tailored specifically to post-divorce life. Navigating this new chapter doesn’t have to be a solo journey—and the right tools and guidance make a huge difference.
One resource I highly recommend is Brokenness and New Beginnings. It’s a book designed to help people find hope and healing after the pain of divorce. It also touches on the practical realities of starting over, including emotional and financial recovery.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed, I genuinely encourage you to check it out. Order your copy today to find hope and healing, and take that first step toward building a hopeful future.
Final Thoughts
Setting a post-divorce budget isn’t just about dollars and cents; it’s about reclaiming control of your life and creating a fresh start. It takes patience and support, but with the right mindset and resources, you can build a stable financial path forward.
Remember, you don’t have to figure it out alone. Consider divorce counseling, connect with divorce support groups, and use available divorce assistance to make this transition smoother. Getting your finances in order after divorce is a major step toward healing—and you deserve all the help you can get.
