(BPT) — Being a mom is a full-time job. No matter how old the children are, a mom is on call at all hours of the day and night, responding to injuries and broken hearts, handling homework questions, setting household rules, and establishing consequences if said rules are broken. But moms often have other jobs as well, juggling household chores, managing finances and often holding a full-time job.

Unfortunately, when the work load becomes too much, something can fall by the wayside, and often that something is finances. Only 24 percent of moms report they are satisfied with their current financial situation. They admit they are struggling to make ends meet, or are worried about their financial future, according to the State of the American Mom Study released by Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company (MassMutual) in 2013.

“It’s no secret in today’s world that moms are stretched thin, but their finances shouldn’t have to suffer as a result,” said Tara Reynolds, corporate vice president with MassMutual.

Moms can get their finances on track with a few tips from MassMutual:

* Be prepared

Emergencies are not predictable, but if you have an emergency fund, you can protect yourself and your future plans for your family if you find yourself in a troubling financial situation.

* Protect your income

Families often don’t take into account the salary a stay-at-home mom would earn if she were to be paid for the work she does. If something were to happen to you as a stay-at-home mom, preventing you from doing these duties, your family may experience some troubling out-of-pocket expenses. With the help of a financial professional, you can explore financial options to ensure that you’re planning ahead adequately no matter what the future holds.

“Luckily, finding an experienced professional for your finances can be easier than finding help for child care or other things that cause stress for today’s moms,” Reynolds said. “This can make all the difference in helping moms achieve financial security for themselves and their families.”

* Plan now, not later

Don’t procrastinate when it comes to planning for your financial future. No one knows what the future will bring, so now is the time to sit down and think about how to pass your assets — but not your taxes — to your heirs.

* Have the talk

Schedule a monthly meeting to sit down with your spouse or significant other — or children if they’re old enough — to discuss your finances. It’s critical for family members to have a full understanding of all debt and assets in order to build a realistic plan.

The survey found only one-third of moms currently use the services of a financial professional to help them with their investments and insurance needs.

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