LilSugar

Have Your Baby, and Keep Your Budget Too!

LilSugar — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 05:00:06 -0800

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?

babysugar — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 04:00:00 -0800

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? It seems many moms and pops are turning to their tots to help foot the bill. Mothers who might not normally enter their babe into a modeling competition are taking head shots and driving to auditions with dreams of childhood stardom. While some criticize the parents for putting their babies to task, others say the actions are harmless and even beneficial. What say you?

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Five Budget Friendly Activities For Fall

LilSugar — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 08:00:24 -0700

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.

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Does Your Baby Have a Savings Account?

LilSugar — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 06:00:34 -0700

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. If passed by lawmakers, the America Saving for Personal Investment, Retirement, and Education (ASPIRE) Act won't be in effect until 2010, so all wee ones born before then will have to fill their accounts the old way.

Regardless of government intervention in the future, do you already have a savings account started for your baby?

Waste Less, Save More

LilSugar — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 08:00:06 -0700

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. While mama may be doing it to save a buck, it won't hurt that she's helping out the environment with these easy tips to reduce her brood's waste.

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Study Says Women Delaying Pregnancy Due to Economy

LilSugar — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 07:00:23 -0700

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. According to the non-profit Guttmacher Institute, 44 percent of working-class women are delaying bringing children into their lives, with 31 percent conceiving later than planned and 28 percent having fewer children than planned. The study, which surveyed women between 18 and 34 with annual household incomes of less than $75,000, also found that 29 percent of respondents agreed with the statement, "With the economy the way it is, I am more careful than I used to be about using contraception every time I have sex."

Though the report surveyed a national representation of women, I'm still seeing babies and bellies everywhere. Do you agree with the findings or are you experiencing a boom around you?

Mommy Dearest: Changing Guardianship Due to Recession

LilSugar — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 13:30:52 -0700

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. My brother has been out of work for several months with no job prospects in sight. Looking out for our son's best interest, we have decided to assign guardianship to someone with more stability. Are we wrong in doing this?

– Guardianship Mommy

To see the response from Mommy Dearest, read more.

Guardianship Mommy,

Choosing guardianship for your child is a tough decision, but it sounds like you put a lot of thought into selecting your brother and sister-in-law. Though no parent wants their child to be a burden, I think it's best for you to discuss your concerns with your brother. It sounds like his financial situation was just one factor in why you asked him to raise your son if something happened to you and your husband. To abruptly remove him from such an important post because of the economy seems a bit harsh.

– Mommy Dearest

Submit a question for this feature at the Mommy Dearest Group on our new Community page.

Elmo to Face Consequences of Economic Downturn

LilSugar — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 10:00:25 -0700

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. When his mother loses her job, Elmo is forced to work through his family's issues. Targeting two to eight-year-olds, the show also features real life families and their tips to surviving the obstacles they have overcome.

Should Parents Pay Reduced Child Support in Recession?

LilSugar — Sun, 30 Aug 2009 05:00:00 -0700

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.

What's your opinion?

Turn In Your Used Baby Items For Some Cash

LilSugar — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 13:10:00 -0700

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. The three-week program hopes to target the 70 percent of recalled products that are never returned to stores. Before rifling through your used baby items, be sure to check out our tips regarding hand-me-downs to see if an item can be used again.