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2024 Parent Finance Mistakes to Avoid

Author

Danielle Sexton
January 22, 2024

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"Success is not final, failure is not fatal: It is the courage to continue that counts."

- Winston Churchill

Hello, Monday! The day our coffee needs a coffee. Get ready to dive into a day of motherly multitasking with a touch of humor and a lot of caffeine.

Today’s Mommy scoop:

  • Avoiding financial mistakes in 2024

  • Rainy day blues? Not with these toys.

  • Scrumptious Hashbrown Breakfast Casserole

  • Charming DIY Coffee Bar Sign

Budget Diapers & College Dreams

9 financial mistakes to avoid as parents in 2024

Avoiding certain financial pitfalls is crucial for your family's stability and future.

Here's a rundown of nine key financial missteps to steer clear of in 2024.

Emergency Fund Essentials

  • Importance of Savings: Prioritize creating an emergency fund to cover unexpected expenses.

  • Savings Goal: Aim for three to six months' worth of expenses and contribute regularly.

Retirement Savings Balance

  • Long-term Financial Health: Balance immediate family needs with saving for retirement.

  • Consistent Contributions: Set up automatic transfers to a retirement account and utilize employer matching programs.

Education Expense Planning

  • Future Education Costs: Start saving early for your children’s education through 529 plans or Coverdell accounts.

  • Regular Contributions: Small, consistent savings can ease the burden of future educational expenses.

Compare Financial Products

  • Shop for Best Deals: Regularly compare financial products, like insurance and credit cards, to ensure optimal benefits and savings.

Adequate Life Insurance

  • Family Protection: Ensure life insurance coverage is sufficient to cover debts, education, and living expenses in case of untimely death.

Teach Financial Literacy to Kids

  • Building Money Skills: Involve children in budgeting, teach them the value of saving, and set up an allowance system.

Understanding Credit Usage

  • Credit Myths: Avoid misconceptions; carrying a credit card balance does not improve your credit score.

Effective Debt Management

  • Tackle High-interest Debt: Prioritize reducing debts, particularly those with high interest, to free up finances for other goals.

Regularly Update Wills and Estate Plans

  • Reflect Life Changes: Keep wills and estate plans updated to ensure they align with current family dynamics and financial situations.

With proactive and informed financial decisions, you can lay a strong foundation for your family's growth, teaching your children valuable financial management skills and securing their future success. 😊 

Keep reading here.

Together with Wildgrain

Wildgrain is your dream come true. Their subscription brings artisanal sourdough, fresh pasta, and mouthwatering pastries to your doorstep. Even better, their innovative bake-from-frozen delights are ready in just 25 minutes, so you can savor all the flavor without the hassle. Don't wait, order now and dive into the delicious world of Wildgrain.

Mom's Mic: This Week’s Poll 🎤 

How do you usually handle picky eaters?

-> Vote to reveal what other moms think

Login or Subscribe to participate in polls.

Poll Results From 1/19

What is your biggest parenting challenge?

🟨🟨🟨🟨🟨🟨 Lack of sleep (38%)

🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 Keeping patience (39%)

🟨🟨🟨⬜️⬜️⬜️ Balancing work and family (19%)

⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️ Managing sibling rivalry (4%)

Featured Response 😄

Unfortunately, my baby, who is 9 months now, was very sick from months 3-6, and at that time, he never learned to sleep through the night or at least have fewer wake-ups. So I still have to attend to him almost 5 times a night and wake up for my teaching job 5 early mornings a week. I haven’t slept in like 3 years between him and his older brother 😂

- Community Mom

Oh, bless your heart! Juggling those sleepless nights with your teaching job sounds incredibly challenging, but you're doing an amazing job - hang in there, mama! - Danielle 😊 

Mom Hack

Rainy Day Toy Stash

Mom Hack

Keep a stash of new, small toys hidden for rainy days or when you need a distraction.

It's a simple way to delight your kids and get some time for yourself.

Mom’s Menu

🍳 Healthier Hashbrown Breakfast Casserole

superhealthykids

Start your family's day with this Healthier Hashbrown Breakfast Casserole!

It's an ideal dish for a crowd or a family brunch, combining ease, deliciousness, and a healthy serving of veggies.

Why You'll Love It

  • 🌟 Easy to make and absolutely delicious.

  • 🌽 Packed with nutritious vegetables for a healthy start.

Ingredients 📝

  • Frozen shredded hashbrowns (or cubed)

  • Red bell pepper (or any available)

  • Baby spinach

  • Yellow onion (or any variety)

  • Large eggs

  • Coarse Kosher salt

  • Dijon mustard

  • 2% Greek yogurt

  • Shredded cheddar cheese (or any preferred cheese)

Instructions 👩‍🍳

  1. Dice the vegetables.

  2. Sauté onion and bell pepper until softened.

  3. In a baking dish, combine the sautéed veggies, spinach, hashbrowns, and 1 1/2 cups cheese.

  4. Whisk together eggs, yogurt, mustard, and salt.

  5. Pour the egg mixture over the veggies and hashbrowns, topping with the remaining cheese.

  6. Bake at 350°F for 50 minutes until golden brown and set.

superhealthykids

Note 📌

This casserole is a versatile dish where you can use different types of vegetables according to what’s available or preferred by your family.

It’s a complete breakfast in one dish, perfect for those busy mornings or leisurely weekend brunches!

Full recipe here.

Daily DIY (Home Edition)

DIY Coffee Bar Sign

modpodgerocksblog

Craft a farmhouse-style coffee bar sign using acrylic paint, Mod Podge sealer, adhesive vinyl, and a scrap piece of wood.

  1. Paint the wood dark blue, create a stencil for the lettering, and apply it to the wood.

  2. Cover with white chalk paint, lightly brush gray chalk paint for an aged look, then remove the letters.

  3. Seal with Mod Podge for protection.

This sign adds a charming touch to any coffee bar area. 🙂 

The tutorial is here.

Mom’s Choice

This bottle is a game changer because its design mimics breastfeeding, making transitions between bottle and breast seamless.

It's my favorite because its wide-neck design and silicone material make cleaning a breeze and feeding comfortable for baby. 🍼 

Comotomo Baby Bottle

  • Breastfeeding-Friendly: The nipple design closely mimics breastfeeding, making it easier for your baby to switch between bottle and breast.

  • Easy Cleaning: The wide-neck design means you can clean it without needing a degree in bottle-brush gymnastics.

  • Baby Approved: The soft, skin-like silicone material is comforting for babies, making feeding time a breeze.

Game

Tiny Faces, Big Names

"When you're too impatient for Throwback Thursday so you fully embrace Way Back Wednesday. #1989," wrote the now-successful singer on Instagram. Who is he?
(Answer below)

Mom’s Meme 🤣

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Answer

It's Bruno Mars!

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