Never tell anyone your baby’s gender-to-be.

Start an emergency fund asap, I mean the second you find out your expecting, if you haven’t already.

Borrow most of your baby items. Regardless of what you may hear, it’s safe to do so.

Talk with an expert about the big issues. A good tax accountant should be able to help you plan for college, get the most tax returns on that baby, and help you plan for future needs.

Skip the baby life insurance, but review your own coverage and your partners to make sure your family is covered if the worst should happen.

Budget smartly for baby toys – this is basically one non-essential that’s money wasted if you go nuts.

Breastfeed – not only is it a HUGE money saver but it’s green too.

Plan ahead (WAY ahead) for maternity leave. Most Americans can’t afford to even take a decent amount of maternity leave, but if you plan you’ll be ahead of the curve.

What else can you think of?

[image via stock.xchng]

Post from: Thrifty Mommy

I actually landed this job because I would send out emails ranting about the debt that Americans were in and how we were spending more money than we were making. 

The average American spends more money than they make. When will this stop? It is going to catch up with us at some time or another.

I wrote that statement three years ago.  Indeed, it has caught up with us.  We are in a mess right now, mostly due to overspending and people borrowing money.  Trust me, I’ve learned my lessons along the way too.

Blogging has been a great experience for me.  It helped me to rediscover how much I enjoy to write.  Along the way, I’ve met some pretty amazing bloggers and readers.  Some great friendships have been formed.  I normally don’t like to toot my own horn (it’s just awkward), but here are some pretty neat things that have happened:

• I was interviewed on the nationally syndicated Cooper Lawrence Show several times.
• For a few months, I had a weekly Thrifty Mommy segment on the Cooper Lawrence Show each Thursday night.  Cooper would read some of my money saving tips.
• I was invited to attend a Pampers Mommy Blogging Event.  Last year, I flew to Ohio to tour the Pampers headquarters and meet with Pamper executives. I met some pretty cool blogging chicks too and learned about the good that Unicef is doing.
• I interviewed Teri Gault, founder of The Grocery Game and Michael Smith, chef on The Food Network.
• I was part of the opening act for the Clark Howard Show in North Carolina.  I’m a big Clark Howard fan, so this was a real treat.  I met Clark and at the event I spoke about saving money with coupons.
• I recently had my first article published.  I hope it won’t be the last!

Thanks everyone for reading my tips and encouraging me along the way.   I hope you’ll stick around and have some cake and read more of Thrifty Mommy.  

image sxc.hu

Post from: Thrifty Mommy

You totally supported my and b5’s decision to bring Karen onboard a couple of years ago, and I am whole heartedly appreciative of all she has done.  She will do all of you proud as Thrifty Mommy goes on.

There will be some changes in Thrifty Mommy’s future.  Some you will see and some you will hopefully not even notice.  Stick with Karen and you will save tons of money.

I want to say “Hello” officially to Jennifer.  She is another fine b5 blogger and you will enjoy her insight.

Stay conversational and keep Karen on her toes.  Keep those comments coming and I will see you around.  Keep saving money and time.  I hope to keep up with all of you around the blogosphere.  You guys are awesome!  I will miss all of you.  <wiping tears>

Thanks to my dear friend Kelly for her many years at Thrifty Mommy.  She will be missed.  We wish her well.

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Thanks.

Post from: Thrifty Mommy

Tom Copland is a Chartered Accountant who operates his public accounting practice in Ontario, Canada. He’s been teaching Bible’s financial principles as a ministry at no charge since 1982.

I hope you’ll drop by Bible Finance 101 for some tips on financial principles.

Post from: Thrifty Mommy

Some of you have chimed in to support my rant.  Thanks for your suggestions and advice. 

Who should I rant about next?  Ebay again, or maybe Paypal or Hardees?

Post from: Thrifty Mommy

• sell and/or giveaway about half of our possessions
• finish the home repairs we started
• put our house on the market
• pack our things
• celebrate our two children’s birthdays, which includes a small birthday party
• take the kids for their yearly well check-up exams
• take the kids to the dentist for a check-up
• visit with the people here before we move
• and tons more!!!!

As you can imagine, my schedule is pretty tight.  As much as I love writing for Thrifty Mommy, I could certainly use the time to work around here.

I am open to accepting guest posts from our audience and other bloggers.  As you know, Kelly and I try to write about ways to save time and money.  Guests posts could be about sales, Amazon codes, free stuff, organization, a round up of prizes and giveaways in the blogosphere, recipes, frugal living, and so much more!  Of course, as a thank you, I would include a byline for your website.

If you would like to contribute, please email me at Karen@b5media.com.  Please make the title of your email “guest post for Karen”.  This will help me to fish your email from the spam box. 

Thanks for your help! 

Post from: Thrifty Mommy

I’m leaving out today to visit Kelly.  We’ll be working on the surprise that she told you about earlier this week.   

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Post from: Thrifty Mommy

For those of you that are visiting, please stop back by.  It will look better soon.  

Post from: Thrifty Mommy