How to Use Child Support to Improve Your Home and Lifestyle

A single mother of two in Thika has seen her monthly income double to Sh39,000 following a court order requiring her first child’s father to pay Sh20,000 in monthly child support.

The 28-year-old receptionist, who earns Sh19,000, has begun reassessing her finances after years of managing a tight household budget. Previously, her monthly expenses included Sh5,000 for rent and utilities, Sh8,000 for food, and Sh2,000 for transport, leaving little for grooming, clothing, church contributions, and a small savings group. With almost no room for savings, her family’s finances remained highly vulnerable.

Financial experts say the court-ordered support offers a chance to build stability rather than expand spending. Accountant and author Muthoni Njakwe, known for her book Her Shilling, Her Power: A Woman’s Guide to Financial Freedom, advises that child support should be treated as a growth opportunity, not a reason for lifestyle inflation.

“Part of this income depends on another person’s responsibility,” Njakwe said. “It should not be tied to new fixed costs. The goal should be to strengthen financial security, not to increase comfort.”

Njakwe recommends adjusting the traditional 50:30:20 budgeting rule to a 50:20:30 approach, allocating 50 percent of income to essentials, 20 percent to personal or leisure spending, and 30 percent to savings and future plans. For the Thika mother, this would mean Sh19,500 for rent, food, and transport; Sh7,800 for clothing, grooming, church, and leisure; and Sh11,700 for savings, education, and emergencies.

This plan allows modest improvements such as better housing and nutrition, while keeping the focus on building financial security. Of the savings, Sh6,000 is recommended for a main savings or investment fund, Sh3,000 for her children’s education, and Sh2,700 for an emergency fund.

Beyond budgeting, Njakwe encourages women in similar situations to explore ways to increase their income through training or skill development. For receptionists, short courses in computer skills, customer service, or digital marketing can improve job prospects and lead to better-paying opportunities without adding financial strain.