Kelis' Monthly Expenses: $81,000?

According to BlackAmericaWeb.com, Kelis claims she cannot live on her average monthly income of $21,616 -- money she has earned herself through her own means. Her solution to this problem? Why, hit up her ex for money as they go through divorce proceedings. As proof of her need for additional funds, the funky pop star has listed her monthly expenses as $80,831, including:

$14,861... Mortgage
$3,500... Nanny
$15,000... Entertainment, gifts and vacations
$20,000... Strollers, cribs and other baby supplies
$175... Having the "baby rug dry cleaned"

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I am a little confused. The baby has not been born yet, for one, so some of those expenses seem a little trumped up. In addition, in terms of her mortgage and entertainment "budgets," she can do what she did before she married Nas, and spend less. I can understand her having become accustomed to a lavish lifestyle, but she is not entitled to Nas' money -- especially when she is a star in her own right and can get out there and earn money herself.

I understand that Kelis is having Nas' child. This entitles her to some compensation and support. But her now defunct marriage releases Nas from being her personal ATM machine for all eternity.

Kelis is not some trophy wife. Until her marriage, she was an independent woman who made her own name -- and her own cash. Now is the time for Kelis to re-establish her financial independence as a first step towards demonstrating her emotional separation from Nas. Rather than seeking money from him, Kelis can show that she is capable of making it through her own creativity.

Kelis is quoted on TMZ as stating: "My survival is based on [Nas'] will at this time. If he does not want to pay for an expense, it does not get paid." What a sad situation to be in. Many women fall into the trap of marrying a man with more money and status, while letting their own earning power wane. Then, if the marriage fails, their quality of life can be significantly reduced. Kelis needs to use this moment to refuse to let that happen. Rather than going to Nas for a hand out, she can represent for the strong, expressive women out there -- and take a lesson from Kimora who established her own brand identity apart from Russell Simmons.

Kelis -- don't sit back and wait to be taken care of. Take this experience and transform it into an opportunity to show that you are as talented, capable and fierce as you have previously proven yourself to be.

Readers -- should Kelis just move on, or should Nas pay up? Leave your thoughts below!

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