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Have Your Baby, and Keep Your Budget Too!
Hospital bills, wardrobes, and gear for baby can cost a small fortune but it doesn't have to! Check out these ten budgeting tips to ensure that your growing baby bump does not lead to a diminishing bank account.
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Would You Enlist Your Child's Talent to Pay the Bills?
No doubt about it, some families have been faced with some tough times during our recession. The jobless rate keeps rising causing many children to claim homeless status or opt out of extracurricular activities. So what if their beauty or talent could earn the family a roof over their heads or pay for their schooling?
Five Budget Friendly Activities For Fall
As the pools close down and the heat comes to a halt, so does our repertoire of Summer activities. Hang up your swimsuits and get ready for Autumn! Enjoy the changing seasons, while keeping a little extra change in your pockets with these five budget friendly activities for Fall.
Does Your Baby Have a Savings Account?
One parenting task is to teach children how to budget and save money, but most moms and dads take savings into their own hands in the beginning. Many open a bank account for the child when they are an infant, while others may wait until the child is a bit older before stowing away the cash.
Despite your personal views on getting your tot started financially, the government is considering making the first deposit into your babies savings account by giving all newborns born in the United States a $500 contribution, which could later be used for education, a first home, or retirement.
Waste Less, Save More
Most children are wasteful little devils when it comes to meal and snack times. Parents throw out countless amounts of Cheerios, hot dog bits, leftover yogurt, and half sipped juice boxes. Tots are carefree so it's up to parents to incorporate food saving remedies into our family routines.
Study Says Women Delaying Pregnancy Due to Economy
What baby boom? Just because some news reports suggest that women are cutting back on their birth control due to budgetary restraints doesn't mean they're trying to get pregnant. A new study shows that ladies are putting off pregnancy as a result of the recession.
Mommy Dearest: Changing Guardianship Due to Recession
Mommy Dearest,
Four years ago before our son was born, my husband and I drew up a will that included guardianship of any kids to come. At the time, we selected my brother and his wife to serve as guardians due to their financial stability, values, and similar lifestyle and sentiments about raising children. Unfortunately, the recession has hit them hard, and they are struggling.
Elmo to Face Consequences of Economic Downturn
Even the businesses lining Sesame Street aren't immune from the effects of a sinking economy. To help kids better understand the recession, Sesame Street will air a one hour special next week called Families Stand Together: Feeling Secure in Tough Times. The show stars Al Roker and Deborah Roberts, as well as personal finance and parenting experts to discuss strategies for maintaining children's well-being during hardships.
Should Parents Pay Reduced Child Support in Recession?
Moms and dads may be handed pink slips or have their wages cut, but the price of raising children isn't necessarily cheaper. In this tough economic time more and more non-custodial parents are asking to have their child support payments reduced. A recent report said:
With the economic downturn hitting men harder than women — 9.8 versus 7.5 percent unemployment — and men comprising most noncustodial parents, many dads are finding themselves struggling to make child support payments that were based on incomes they no longer earn.
Turn In Your Used Baby Items For Some Cash
Call it cash for baby clunkers. Like the federal government's program designed to remove gas guzzlers from the road, Toys "R" Us and Babies "R" Us are launching a program to draw attention to the number of baby products that should not be handed down or resold to a new generation of lil ones.
Beginning Friday, the stores will launch the Great Trade-In, allowing parents to bring in used cribs, car seats, bassinets, strollers, travel systems, play yards and high chairs in exchange for a 20% savings on the purchase of any new baby item by certain manufacturers – including Britax, Chicco, Evenflo and Graco.
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