Involving kids in family financial planning

Involving your kids in financial conversations helps build responsibility, transparency, and lifelong money smarts that will serve them for the rest of their lives. 

Always start with age-appropriate lessons.

Young Kids (5–9): Teach the basics of earning money, saving, and spending. Use piggy banks or jars for visual learning.

Tweens (10–12): Introduce budgeting with small allowances. Talk about wants vs. needs and setting short-term goals.

Teens (13+): Involve them in discussions about bills, savings, or even credit. Help them start their own bank account or savings plan.

Use real-life examples:

Involve kids when budgeting for groceries, planning vacations, or comparing prices. These everyday moments teach real-world money decision-making.

Give them responsibility

Let kids make financial decisions with their own money and learn from the outcomes. Allowance systems or chore-based rewards work well. For younger kids, you can also use pretend money. 

Make it a routine 

Have monthly “family finance nights” where you talk about goals, saving progress, or how the family can cut back to save for something special.

When kids are part of financial planning, they feel empowered and informed. These conversations set the foundation for smart money habits that last a lifetime. Keep it age-appropriate so as not to overwhelm them or cause misunderstandings. 

Essential financial steps to take when expecting a child

Welcoming a new baby into your life is an exciting and life-changing event, but it also comes with new financial responsibilities. Preparing your finances in advance will help ease the transition and ensure you're ready for the added costs of raising a child. 

1. Review Your Budget

Rework Your Monthly Budget: Start by evaluating your current spending and adjusting your budget to account for baby-related expenses. New parents typically face added costs for things like diapers, baby formula, clothing, and medical bills. Tracking your income and expenses will help you plan for these new costs.

Identify Areas to Cut Back: Before the baby arrives, look for opportunities to cut back on discretionary spending (e.g., dining out, entertainment, shopping) to help offset new expenses.

2. Start Saving for Baby-Related Costs

Estimate Baby-Related Expenses: The cost of a baby varies depending on location, lifestyle, and choice of baby products, but typical expenses include:

Maternity and delivery costs

Baby gear (crib, stroller, car seat, etc.)

Diapers, formula, and baby food

Medical bills and health insurance

Childcare (if applicable)

Set Up a Baby Fund: Create a separate savings account for baby-related expenses. Even if you can't save a large amount, starting early and saving consistently will help you avoid a financial shock when the baby arrives.

Consider an Emergency Fund: Ideally, you should have three to six months' worth of living expenses saved up in case of unexpected situations, like job loss or medical emergencies.

3. Review Health Insurance Coverage

Understand Your Coverage: Make sure you understand your health insurance plan, including what’s covered for prenatal care, delivery, and postnatal care. Health insurance can be one of the largest expenses during pregnancy and childbirth.

Add Your Baby to Your Insurance: Once the baby is born, you'll need to add them to your health insurance plan. Be aware of the time frame for making this change, as there are typically 30-60 days after birth to update your policy.

Check for Additional Costs: Some plans might have co-pays, deductibles, or limits on certain services. If you haven’t already, calculate how much you'll need to pay out-of-pocket for any pregnancy-related medical expenses.

4. Review Your Life Insurance

Consider Increasing Coverage: Life insurance is an important part of any family’s financial safety net. If you don’t already have a life insurance policy, now is the time to consider getting one. If you already have coverage, it may be a good idea to increase your policy's value to reflect the additional responsibility of a child.

Choose a Term Life Policy: A term life insurance policy can be an affordable option for young families. You can choose a policy with a length that corresponds with your child's needs (e.g., 20 or 30 years).

5. Prepare for Parental Leave

Understand Your Employer’s Leave Policy: Research your company’s parental leave policies. Some employers provide paid leave, while others offer unpaid leave or short-term disability benefits for new parents. Know your rights and plan accordingly.

Save for Time Off: If your company doesn’t offer paid parental leave or the leave is limited, it’s essential to budget for any lost income during your time off. Start saving in advance to cover the gap in income while you're on leave.

Consider Alternative Income Sources: If your paid leave is short or unpaid, consider how you might generate income. For example, some people turn to freelance work or part-time side gigs for extra cash.

6. Reevaluate Your Housing and Living Arrangements

Assess Your Living Space: A baby may require you to reassess your housing situation. Do you need more space (e.g. a larger apartment or even a house) for a nursery or play area? If you’re renting, consider whether your current space is suitable for a growing family. If you own your home, consider the costs of home improvements or baby-proofing.

Factor in Additional Housing Costs: If you are planning to move or remodel, account for these costs in your budget, including rent or mortgage payments, utilities, and any changes to your home.

7. Start Thinking About Childcare Options

Research Childcare Providers: If both parents plan to return to work after the baby is born, you’ll need to arrange childcare. Research and go on a waiting list for daycare centres, nannies, and other options well in advance to ensure availability and affordability.

Consider the Costs: Childcare can be one of the most expensive things to pay for working parents, especially in the first few years. Factor in these costs and decide whether one parent could and would stay home full-time, whether you'll work part-time, or if you'll need to budget for full-time childcare.

Evaluate Flexible Work Options: Some companies offer flexible working hours, remote work, or on-site childcare. Explore these options with your employer to see if you can minimize the need for external childcare.

8. Build a Will and Estate Plan

Create a Will: As parents, one of the most important financial steps you can take is to create a will. This legal document ensures your child is cared for in the event of an unexpected tragedy and helps manage your assets according to your wishes.

Designate Guardianship: In your will, make sure to designate a legal guardian for your child—someone who will take care of your child if you and your partner are no longer able to.

Review Beneficiaries: Update the beneficiaries on your life insurance, retirement accounts, and any other assets including your child or partner.

9. Start Thinking About Saving for College

Open a 529 Plan: While it may seem early, it’s never too soon to start saving for your child’s future education. A 529 College Savings Plan allows you to invest money that grows tax-free, which can later be withdrawn for qualified education expenses.

Set Small Savings Goals: Even if you can only contribute small amounts now, starting early will make a big difference in the long run due to compound growth.

10. Track Your Spending and Cut Unnecessary Costs

Reevaluate Subscriptions and Memberships: Evaluate your current subscriptions, memberships, and other recurring expenses. You may have memberships or services you don’t need, such as premium cable channels or gym memberships, which could be paused or cancelled to free up funds.

Plan for the “New Normal”: Once your baby arrives, your day-to-day spending may change, and you might find yourself spending more on baby gear, groceries, or other essentials. Keep track of these shifts and adjust your budget accordingly.

11. Prepare for Post-Baby Expenses

Build a Post-Baby Budget: In addition to your baby fund, make sure to budget for any unexpected post-baby expenses like:

Postpartum care (for mom)

Newborn care and medical expenses (including check-ups and vaccinations)

Baby clothing (your baby will grow quickly, and you’ll need to buy new clothes regularly but second-hand is a great option to save money)

Consider Babyproofing and Home Safety: You’ll likely need to baby-proof your home as your child grows. These one-time costs (like outlet covers, cabinet locks, and safety gates) should be factored into your budget as well.

While preparing financially for a new baby can seem overwhelming, taking proactive steps can reduce stress and ensure that you’re ready for the financial changes ahead. By creating a budget, saving for baby-related expenses, reviewing your insurance, and planning for future costs like childcare and education, you can build a strong financial foundation for your growing family.

How to save on back-to-school supplies: Tips for purchasing school supplies without breaking the bank

  

 

Back-to-school season can be expensive, but with a good plan in place, you can save a significant amount on supplies. Here I have compiled a list of some smart shopping tips to help you keep your costs low while still getting everything your child needs.

1. Make a list and stick to it

Create a detailed list: Before you head to the store or start shopping online, make a list of exactly what your child needs. Schools often provide a supply list for each grade, so use that as your guide. This will help you avoid impulse buys and ensure you're only getting what's necessary.

Check what you already have: Take inventory of supplies you already own—like notebooks, binders, or pens—from the previous year. You can reuse items that are still in good condition.

2. Shop early (or late)

Early bird shopping: Sales for back-to-school items often start early. Shopping early gives you the advantage of avoiding the last-minute rush and taking advantage of discounts.

Post-back-to-school sales: After the initial rush, stores often discount remaining supplies to clear out inventory. You might find great deals closer to when school starts especially for items like notebooks, pens, and backpacks.

3. Take advantage of sales and coupons

Sales events: Keep an eye out for sales events, especially the ones labelled “back-to-school” or “tax-free weekends.” These can offer significant savings on common school supplies.

Use coupons: Many retailers offer coupons through apps or websites like Honey, Rakuten, or RetailMeNot. Sign up for emails or follow the social media accounts of stores that typically offer good deals on school supplies.

Store loyalty programs: Some stores, like Staples or Office Depot, have loyalty programs that offer discounts or rewards for back-to-school shopping.

4. Buy in bulk

Buy in bulk for non-perishable items: Items like pens, pencils, and markers can be purchased in bulk for long-term savings. Warehouse stores like Costco or Sam's Club offer bulk packages of supplies that cost less per unit.

Split bulk items with friends or neighbors: If you don’t want to buy a huge quantity, team up with other parents in your neighbourhood or school and split bulk purchases.

5. Check discount retailers

Dollar stores: Dollar stores are an excellent resource for basic supplies like crayons, notebooks, and scissors. The quality may vary, but for many items, it’s a great option to save money.

Big-box retailers: Stores like Walmart, Target, and Amazon often have great prices on supplies. Compare prices to see where you can find the best deals.

Thrift stores: Consider buying gently used items, like backpacks, binders, or even clothing. Many thrift stores offer items in great condition at a fraction of the price.

6. Shop online for deals

Use price comparison tools: Websites like Google Shopping, PriceGrabber, or CamelCamelCamel (for Amazon items) can help you compare prices across different retailers to find the best deal.

Amazon prime day and black friday: If you miss the early back-to-school sales, keep an eye out for major discount days like Amazon Prime Day or Black Friday. These events often feature steep discounts on school supplies.

7. Avoid name brands (unless necessary)

Generic or store brands: Many store-brand school supplies are just as good as name-brand items but at a fraction of the price. Unless a specific brand is required (like for certain technology), opt for store brands when possible.

Consider alternative brands: For items like backpacks, lunch boxes, or binders, check for no-name alternatives that are similar in quality but more affordable.

8. Use student discounts

College and high school discounts: If you have older students in high school or college, they may be eligible for discounts at certain stores, especially for tech purchases or clothing. Websites like UNiDAYS offer student discounts for popular retailers.

Teacher discounts: If you're a teacher or know a teacher, some retailers offer back-to-school discounts for educators. Make sure to take advantage of those if applicable.

9. Consider eco-friendly alternatives

Eco-friendly supplies: If you're looking for sustainable options, consider items made from recycled materials, like notebooks or folders. Many eco-friendly supplies are comparable in price to standard items, and some stores even offer discounts for purchasing sustainable goods.

Reusable items: Instead of buying disposable products opt for reusable alternatives like refillable water bottles or dry-erase boards that can be used year after year.

10. Check for tax-free shopping days

Many states hold tax-free weekends or back-to-school shopping holidays, where sales tax is waived on certain items, including school supplies. Research your state's tax-free shopping dates to save even more.

11. Be mindful of the “Bigger is Better” trap

Sometimes larger packages or higher-end products are marketed as a better deal, but they may not be necessary. For example, a fancy, high-priced binder might look appealing, but a simple, less expensive one may meet the needs just as well.

12. Take advantage of freebies

Some companies or stores offer free items or samples during back-to-school season, especially if you sign up for newsletters or become a member of loyalty programs. Keep an eye out for giveaways, especially for smaller supplies like pens, pencils, and erasers.

Bonus: Get creative with DIY supplies

Homemade supplies: If you're crafty, consider making some school supplies yourself! You can personalize notebooks, create custom bookmarks, or even make DIY pencil cases from old fabric. It’s a fun way to save money and get your child involved in the back-to-school process.

By being strategic and looking for deals in various places, you can save money on school supplies while still getting everything your child needs for the school year. 

Planning ahead and using these smart shopping tips will help you avoid overspending while ensuring your child is prepared for success!