This is part 3 of a 4 part series on the cost of raising kids…more to the point, how to budget for them. This feature explores some of the financial considerations as kids approach school age. Full time child care is costly however can be very convenient. I’ve just started researching the options for child […]

It may seem like a long way away but before you know it, your little one will be off to school and then off down one of life’s many paths. You may wonder how you can possibly predict what your child may choose to do and be nervous about saving money for an event so […]

Once baby arrives the concepts of time and money take on whole new meaning! I found that babies didn’t cost a whole lot to feed and cloth. It depends on the choices you make. Formula costs more than nursing however sometimes you don’t have an option. Cloth is cheaper but more effort than disposables (not […]

Ideally you have the time to take a look at the financial impact of preparing for a child before it arrives! Now is the time to take a look at two budgets. 1. Baby stuff 2. Household finances I touched on the first one last post….a good way to get an idea of costs for […]

Having a baby is an extraordinary experience. Whether you are able to have your own, adopt or by some other arrangement it is so exciting. The anticipation is magnetic and you can find yourself in a whole new world. One filled with decisions to contemplate, things to learn and looming responsibilities. There are stores and […]

Financial Planning may seem like a scary concept. It doesn’t have to be. You can begin with a basic financial plan and develop it as you go. As long as you start with a good foundation you will be able to add on to your basic money management house as your needs become more sophisticated. […]

Some people like to shop without a list and travel the aisles with a basket. I prefer to take my list. I have a running list to jot down items as I need them and add to the list after making the weekly menu. I rely on the menu as I find it easier to […]

Like most forms of ‘insurance’ the hope is that it’s never needed. Life dishes out some unexpected surprises and having a contingency fund provides piece of mind. How to build one? With so many demands on the paycheck it is hard to set aside funds when ‘just in case’ seems unlikely and far away. The […]

With two small children it’s debatable whether a long weekend away is a holiday. Mike doesn’t feel like his ‘batteries’ are re-charged. Not surprising when you reflect on the energy output it takes to pack us all up, go away and come back versus the actual R&R time achieved. The relax time is the easy […]

There are many decisions that no one wants to make based on money. Decisions such as having children, educating them or visiting family. Although it doesn’t seem very gentile, the reality is that the financial consequences of these decisions must be considered. Kids are a prime example. If parents-to-be sat down and calculated what the […]