Parenthood Life Stage

When your friends said “a baby changes everything,” you didn’t know they meant your finances too!  A baby brings a whole new set of financial priorities, from budgeting for the additional cost of raising a child to finding affordable child care to saving for a college education.  It’s all possible with some planning.
Articles
ArticleBoomerang Children Can Throw Parents a Curve
ArticleHoliday shopping tips
ArticleTeaching children about mutual funds
Budgeting Basics
ArticleAnd baby makes three
ArticleHow Can Your Family Spend Less On Groceries and Eating Out
ArticlePlanning the Perfect Staycation
College Savings Plans 529
ArticleThe ABCs Of 529 Plans
ArticleTip State Savings Plans
Education Planning Basics
ArticleABCs of financial aid
ArticleCan I afford to send my child to college?
ArticleEducation tax credits
ArticleFinding money to pay college bills out of pocket
ArticleHistory of Education Tax Credits
ArticleHow Your Money Grows
ArticleSaving for retirement and a child's education at the same time
ArticleSticker shock--creative ways to lower the cost of college
ArticleStudent loan basics
ArticleThe best ways to save for college
ArticleTip PLUS Loans
Life Insurance
ArticleLife insurance basics
ArticleTypes of life insurance policies
Maternity
ArticleTime Off If You Need It
Special Needs Children
ArticleWhen your child has special needs
Taxes
ArticleEducation tax credits
ArticleWhat is the kiddie tax?
Tools
College Savings Options
ToolAdvantages and disadvantages of 529 plans
ToolAdvantages and disadvantages of Coverdell education savings accounts
ToolAdvantages and disadvantages of custodial accounts for college savings
ToolAdvantages and disadvantages of U.S. savings bonds for college savings
ToolCollege savings vehicles compared
Financial Aid
ToolCollege application and financial aid calendar
ToolComparison of federal higher education loans
ToolFinancial aid calendar
Saving for College
ToolFinding the funds to pay for a college education
ToolHigher education figures at-a-glance
Tax Issues
ToolComparison of tax credits and deductions
ToolQualified education expenses defined
ToolSummary of tax-advantaged college savings options
FAQs
Child Care
FAQDoes it make sense financially for both me and my spouse to work after our child is born?
FAQHow do I find quality child care?
FAQHow do I pay for child care?
College Costs
FAQAre there any ways to lower the cost of college?
FAQWhat expenses are included in the annual cost of college?
FAQWhat is the college inflation rate?
College Students and Insurance
FAQMy child is heading off to college this fall. What insurance issues does this raise?
Education Tax Credits
FAQNow that my child is in college, am I entitled to any education tax credits?
FAQWhat are the Hope credit and the Lifetime Learning credit?
Financial Aid
FAQAre any financial aid programs tailored especially to parents of post-secondary students?
FAQAre there any assets that are not counted for financial aid purposes?
FAQCan an UGMA/UTMA account reduce my child's financial aid for college?
FAQCan anyone get a Pell Grant?
FAQCan we negotiate our child's financial aid award?
FAQDo colleges offer financial aid?
FAQHow can my child find scholarships for college?
FAQHow do I apply for financial aid?
FAQHow do I know if I'm eligible for federal financial aid?
FAQHow does the federal financial aid process work?
FAQIs there anything I can do now so that my child can obtain more financial aid later?
FAQWhat are the major federal financial aid loan programs?
FAQWhat happens if our child's college does not give us all the financial aid we need?
FAQWhat is a Stafford Loan?
Life Insurance
FAQShould I buy life insurance on my child?
Maternity
FAQMy employer says that after my child is born, I have to come back in six weeks. But doesn't the law say that I'm entitled to three months of leave?
Paying for College
FAQI've heard that a grandparent can pay a grandchild's tuition directly to the college without any gift tax problems. Is this true?
FAQShould I take out a home equity loan to pay for my child's tuition?
FAQShould I use my 401(k) to fund my child's college education?
FAQShould I withdraw money from my IRA to pay for my child's college tuition?
Saving for College
FAQAre government savings bonds risk free?
FAQAre savings bonds a good way to save?
FAQAre state savings plans a good way to save for college?
FAQCan an UGMA/UTMA account reduce my child's financial aid for college?
FAQDo series EE bonds offer any special advantages if used for college savings?
FAQHelp! My child is only two years away from college and we haven't saved much. What should we do?
FAQHow can I save for my child's college education?
FAQHow can we possibly save for retirement and our child's college education at the same time?
FAQShould I establish a trust for my child's college education fund?
FAQShould I open a Coverdell education savings account?
FAQShould I save for college in my name or my child's name?
FAQWhat are the rules for Coverdell education savings accounts?
FAQWhat is the CollegeSure CD?
Social Security
FAQDoes my 16-year-old have to pay Social Security tax on her earnings?
Taxes
FAQCan I take the tax credit for child care?
FAQWhat is the difference between the child tax credit and the child and dependent care tax credit?
 

The 360 Degrees of Financial Literacy Web site offers general information for managing personal finances and does not recommend specific financial actions.  For financial advice tailored to your situation, please contact an expert such as a CPA or a personal financial advisor.

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