Welcoming a new child to the family is a time rife with joy, but there are plenty of concerns that accompany a little bundle of joy. Cementing your financial strategy after having a child is a top priority and getting your current finances in order will help you prepare for all the costs expanding your family requires.
Take On a Side Hustle
Sometimes it’s tough to make ends meet, and if you have the opportunity to make a supplementary income, take it. Whether it’s investing in a second property to rent out for a healthy monthly addition to your bank account, or online jobs you pick up on Upwork.com, every extra bit counts. Whether that money is used to funnel into old debts, put into a college savings account, or used for basic expenses, you’ll be very glad you can offset the extra expenses.
Alleviate Debt
Millions of Americans are in debt, and if you find yourself included in this number, it’s important to do what you can to alleviate this stress-inducing financial disaster. As expenses will only continue to add up as you build your family, digging yourself out of a debt hole as quickly as possible is essential. If you have numerous debt accounts, consider the snowball method of paying off these debts. This requires you to list out the accounts you have in order from smallest to largest. After setting aside enough money to pay off the minimum on each account, dedicate the rest of the money to the smallest account. Once this is paid off, move onto the next. This will help you slowly but surely whittle down the number of accounts under your name, and can be a psychologically helpful way to tackle debt. If you’re still struggling with handling the debt on your own and want more guidance, fdcpa info can give you more clarity.
Up the Ante on Your Retirement
Retirement might feel like a million years away, but it will be here before you know it. With the rising cost of living, it’s important to prepare for retirement finances with fervor. A new baby brings along numerous unexpected costs, but it’s important to remain committed to contributing to a retirement account each month, whether that be through an employer’s 401k or a Roth IRA. It may even be in your best interest to contribute more to this account each month, as it will help you afford retirement living and help with expenses when your children have grown, including costs associated with student loans. If your company offers matching, make sure you’re taking advantage, as otherwise you’re throwing away free money.
Consider Aging Parents
You may think of your children as your own dependents, but in the blink of an eye, this can change. If your parents or other close loved ones are nearing the end of their life, it’s important to consider end of life care. This can be extremely costly, and many families find themselves having to dip into college and emergency savings funds in order to afford this care, which could affect your children and the loans they’ll be responsible for. It’s important to talk to your parents or elderly loved ones about their plans for end of life care, and whether or not they have savings accounts or insurance plans dedicated to these specific costs. If not, you can purchase senior life insurance here, and check out the rates and policy coverage to determine what best suits your family’s needs.
College Savings Accounts
One of the most popular and commonly used college savings accounts is what is known as a 529 College Savings Plan. This account allows for tax-free withdrawals, so long as you pull out the money for higher education payments as intended. Multiple individuals can donate to this account, and there are few contribution limits, making it an excellent college savings account.
Getting the right financial footing the moment your child arrives is of utmost importance. Keep these strategies in mind and set your family up for a financially secure future.
Take On a Side Hustle
Sometimes it’s tough to make ends meet, and if you have the opportunity to make a supplementary income, take it. Whether it’s investing in a second property to rent out for a healthy monthly addition to your bank account, or online jobs you pick up on Upwork.com, every extra bit counts. Whether that money is used to funnel into old debts, put into a college savings account, or used for basic expenses, you’ll be very glad you can offset the extra expenses.
Alleviate Debt
Millions of Americans are in debt, and if you find yourself included in this number, it’s important to do what you can to alleviate this stress-inducing financial disaster. As expenses will only continue to add up as you build your family, digging yourself out of a debt hole as quickly as possible is essential. If you have numerous debt accounts, consider the snowball method of paying off these debts. This requires you to list out the accounts you have in order from smallest to largest. After setting aside enough money to pay off the minimum on each account, dedicate the rest of the money to the smallest account. Once this is paid off, move onto the next. This will help you slowly but surely whittle down the number of accounts under your name, and can be a psychologically helpful way to tackle debt. If you’re still struggling with handling the debt on your own and want more guidance, fdcpa info can give you more clarity.
Up the Ante on Your Retirement
Retirement might feel like a million years away, but it will be here before you know it. With the rising cost of living, it’s important to prepare for retirement finances with fervor. A new baby brings along numerous unexpected costs, but it’s important to remain committed to contributing to a retirement account each month, whether that be through an employer’s 401k or a Roth IRA. It may even be in your best interest to contribute more to this account each month, as it will help you afford retirement living and help with expenses when your children have grown, including costs associated with student loans. If your company offers matching, make sure you’re taking advantage, as otherwise you’re throwing away free money.
Consider Aging Parents
You may think of your children as your own dependents, but in the blink of an eye, this can change. If your parents or other close loved ones are nearing the end of their life, it’s important to consider end of life care. This can be extremely costly, and many families find themselves having to dip into college and emergency savings funds in order to afford this care, which could affect your children and the loans they’ll be responsible for. It’s important to talk to your parents or elderly loved ones about their plans for end of life care, and whether or not they have savings accounts or insurance plans dedicated to these specific costs. If not, you can purchase senior life insurance here, and check out the rates and policy coverage to determine what best suits your family’s needs.
College Savings Accounts
One of the most popular and commonly used college savings accounts is what is known as a 529 College Savings Plan. This account allows for tax-free withdrawals, so long as you pull out the money for higher education payments as intended. Multiple individuals can donate to this account, and there are few contribution limits, making it an excellent college savings account.
Getting the right financial footing the moment your child arrives is of utmost importance. Keep these strategies in mind and set your family up for a financially secure future.