In Finance is Fun, Marion Syversen joined Carolyn Callahan on TV5 News at Noon to talk about managing your finances when beginning a family.
Changes – Home a lot more. Baby needs it to stay germ-free and you need time to recover and get some sleep. That saves on gas, the expense of eating out and entertainment, because what’s more awesome than watching that baby grow and smile and wiggle? Not much, my friend.
Managing expenses – disposable diapers and baby formula cost money. Baby gear can be pricey. Cloth diapers save as does breast feeding and when the time comes making your own baby food. But what you save in money you spend in time. So you judge which options may work for you.
There are opportunities for getting used gear with plenty of resale shops and internet options. Obviously you always want to keep safety in mind.
Making better plans – Now that you are parents, what will happen to this precious gift if something happens to one, or both, of you? Do not tell me you are fighting over who would be an appropriate caregiver. Get thee a will and make it snappy. The likelihood is small that you will need this. But if the worst case DOES happen and you leave this dependant alone without a plan…come on. And don’t forget life insurance, bub.
Setting expectations- Though money is often tight, repaying school loan debt, etc., try not to make a tight situation tighter by adding more debt to your life. Consumer debt because you just HAVE to have more up-to-date clothes, or a nicer TV or a faster computer or the coolest phone, may give you nightmares and years of financial uncoziness.
Citations:
http://www.smartfamilyfinance.com/2012/02/personal_finance_for_new_parents_first_child_taxe/
http://www.goodfinancialcents.com/preparing-financially-child/
Disclosure:
Only securities and advisory services offered through Wall Street Financial Group, Inc. Registered Investment Advisor. Member FINRA/SIPC. Wall Street Financial Group, Inc. and Norumbega Financial are separate entities, independently owned and operated.
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