Babies are an expensive prospect: in the US, the average cost of delivery alone is upwards of $10,000, although much of that is covered if you have health insurance. Though the costs associated with having and raising a child are enormous, there are a number of ways you can save and reduce expenses to make the decision a financially solvent one. The bottom line is, regardless of your financial situation, planning for the future will help you avoid adulthood burnout as you celebrate bringing new life into the world.
Before You’re Expecting
If you know you plan on one day having children it’s a worthwhile idea to start setting aside money in a savings account. You can use a traditional savings account or find a fixed deposit account to accrue higher interest on your savings. Expecting parents often use fixed deposit accounts because the money is deposited for a stated period of time with a fixed interest rate, meaning that you can cash in on your savings once the baby arrives. It is also important to review your health insurance policy to make sure you are covered for the costs of delivery and aftercare.
When You’re Expecting
If you’re expecting, financial considerations will likely play a factor in how you prepare for the arrival of a baby. You can set up a college savings account for your child, either in a traditional savings account at your bank or a 529 account. The money in a 529 plan may be used to pay for the college expenses and K-12 tuition of the beneficiary, tax-free. Finally, you may need to think about life insurance if you don’t own it already in order to ensure your children are financially solvent if something happens to your or your partner.
After You’re Expecting
If you’re a new parent: congratulations! There’s no need to panic about not saving for your newborn right away. The best thing you can do is to start setting aside money and look for ways to save on baby costs, many of which can be reduced drastically by careful planning. As with any financial decision, it’s crucial to ask yourself: does my baby need this? There will be times you might feel pressured to buy pricey add-ons your baby doesn’t need. Always research items carefully before you make a purchase decision.
Financial planning is only one part of a joyous, occasionally stressful new phase in expecting a baby. Though it’s an important consideration, don’t let it overtake your life: trust that things will work out and do your best to plan along the way.
A recent study revealed that the average mom works 98 hours every week, the equivalent to not one, but two full-time jobs and working overtime.
Therefore, health and wellness experts are saying that self-care for moms is not an option but a requirement for being a good mother.
Alone time even in the form of a mini vacation alone is needed to feel refreshed, and it can make a big difference in a mom’s ability to cope, focus and do her mom duties.
They also say momcations can improve a woman’s relationship with her partner and can relay an important lesson about the value of balance to her children.
So there you go!
Science says take that vacation or go on that Girls’ Trip and quit feeling guilty about it!
As students head back to school, we see lots of stories about creative teachers who employ great tools and tricks to stimulate their students. We also articles about how teachers spend their own money to buy supplies for their classrooms.
Teachers are not paid as high as many other professions though it varies from state to state. The folks at Business.org wondered what the average salary was across the United States and summarized the findings in an interesting graphic:
Interesting Findings:
On average, entry-level teachers are paid 21.8% less than other workers in their states.
Colorado has the largest pay gap–40% less than the average salary in the state. That’s especially bad when you consider that Louisiana (our top-ranked state) pays about $7,000 more per year—even though the cost of living in Louisiana is lower.
Even though the District of Columbia had the highest starting salary for teachers, the area still ranked low on our list (#50) because of the higher-than-usual deficit between teachers’ salaries and the average salary for the area (37.2%).
(To be fair, though, the average salary in DC is abnormally high—probably due to the high concentration of highly paid politicians and lobbyists in the area.)
Despite its low ranking, DC actually has one of the best starting teaching salaries in the nation after you adjust for the area’s cost of living. So DC may be one of the best places for teachers to live if you’re focused on maintaining the highest possible standard of living.
The pay gap does not seem to correlate with student performance–Connecticut ranks #32 for teacher compensation but maintains #5 for student test scores. (But to be fair, shouldn’t the standard of living for teachers be just as important?)
Methodology: To develop its ranking we compared the average starting teacher salary to the average salary for all occupations in each state. The starting average teacher salaries were sourced from the National Education Association. The average state salary for ‘all occupations’ came from the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Occupational Employment Statistics Survey. For more information check out their report.
If you’ve followed this blog for the past 10 years, you know I enjoy spotting on Red Carpets the celebrity women who’ve been spotlighted here before when they were expecting a baby.
Last night, on August 26, the MTV Video Music Awards were held in New Jersey for the first time at the Prudential Center.
One of our Bellyitch Bumpwatch alums, Cardi B won for Best Hip Hop video for her song “Money” (she was nominated for Artist of the Year too but lost to Ariana Grande). She was also nominated for Best Pop video for “Please Me” with Bruno Mars and Best Dance and Best Power Anthem for “Taki Taki” and “Wish Wish,” respectively.
One other featured mama from the past Alicia Keys was nominated for the Best R&B video for the video for her song “Raise a Man” but lost to former Fifth Harmony girl band member Normani.
The show caters to younger audiences so I have to admit I’ve had to watch the nominees right before publshing this post. Shame. lol In any event, congrats to the winners and shout out to the moms who looked fab on the red carpet including:
Adriana Lima in Sally LaPointe with Chopard jewelry and Christian Louboutin heels.
With the economy on the downturn slightly, some families may be feeling the pinch and purchasing school supplies, getting immunizations and paying for haircuts and style could be a bit much for the budget.
Luckily, a lot of barber shops, religious, community and civic groups have organized events where they help parents out.
We’re already deep into back-to-school season and several of these have passed but I managed to dig up a few more in my area, DC, Maryland and Virginia and a few others. Do a Facebook, Google Events or Eventbrite search for one near you.
Here are the ones I found. Good luck!
District of Columbia
Washington, DC
What: Back to school physical exam, Birth Control options for college students, STI discussion and primary care needs for medicaid /private pay
What: Back to School – Free Backpacks; Come to a free back-to-school event, get free school supplies and sign up for tutoring and other academic support.
Date: Sat, August 31 10 AM – 2 PM
Where: Bowie Church of Christ, 2518 Kenhill Dr, Bowie, MD
What: The Queen Anne’s County Department of Health will be hosting Back to School (BTS) Immunization clinics beginning in late August. If your child cannot get the vaccines from their healthcare
Where: The Charles County Department of Health provides immunizations through the Vaccines for Children (VFC) Program to eligible children living in Charles County. Our goal is to educate and assist caregivers with making decisions that will protect them, their children, and the community. We offer back-to-school, childhood, and preteen and adolescent vaccines.
Eligibility Requirements
A child is eligible for the VFC Program if he or she is younger than 19 years of age and is one of the following:
Uninsured
Covered by Medical Assistance
Underinsured (has health insurance that doesn’t cover vaccines)
What: Committed to creating a community of healthy children, Texas Children’s Mobile Clinic Programwill administer the vaccinations to children,6 weeks to 18 years of age, who need immunizations.
Children must qualify for the Vaccines for Children program (no insurance, have insurance that does not cover vaccines, or have Medicaid)
No pre-registration is required but space is limited.
Parents and guardians must bring child’s immunization records and must accompany child.
When: every Thursday in August 2019., From 5 to 7 p.m.
Where: Doris Miller Community Center, 2400 Washington Ave., Newport News, VA 23607
Deets: call 757-247-8603 for hair appointments.
Norflok
What: Better Barbers Back To School Bash! GRADES K-12 Come out and join us at our first annual Back To School Bash! We will be providing *free haircuts, LOTS of school supplies, food, drinks, snacks, games and prizes for the children! Come out and celebrate the beginning of new and successful school year. School supplies will be distributed on a first come first-served basis. We currently have 121 bags to give away and the child must be present to receive a bag. If you’re vegan don’t worry, we’ve got you covered! We are looking forward to seeing everyone
When: Friday, August 30, 2019 from 2-5pm
Where: Better Barbers Tidewater Dr 7468 Tidewater Dr unit B, Norfolk, Virginia 23505
What:Village Family and Partners Back2School Expo, This is an annual community effort to help youth and families prepare for the school year that is right around the corner. Come and join us in this fun event for children of all ages.FREE backpacks & school supplies. MUSIC BY DJ NAKYLLA
When: Saturday, September 7, 2019 from 1-5pm
Where: Military Circle Mall, 880 N. Military Circle Mall, Norfolk Virginia 23502
What: Mobi Wash Cares: Back2School Bookbag Giveaway, Come and enjoy food, fun, games, prizes, and FREE BOOKBAGS. Your kids will leave happy, tired, and, most importantly, PREPARED for school!
When: Saturday, August 31, 2019 from 10am-2pm
Where: Gray’s Missionary Baptist 380 Union St, Hampton, Virginia 23669
Editor’s Note: I’m reposting this article because the old one, published a few months ago, has a fatal technical error and in light of National Rainbow Baby Day recently, I wanted to reshare it!
“I really don’t think I fully dealt with my miscarriage until until I found out I was pregnant again,” an emotional Monique Samuels shares during a testimonial to last Sunday’s new episode of Bravo TV‘s Real Housewives of Potomac. “The fear and the loss just came back to me so I really had to just sit back and leave it in God’s hands”
These comments were made during her testimonial in between scenes of a party she threw last year before the birth of her third child last year, celebrating her Rainbow Baby.
A Rainbow baby is a sustainable pregnancy or live birth following the loss of a previous pregnancy or baby.
FYI: A “Unicorn baby” is one that is birthed after infertility.
About her decision to host a celebration, the wife to ex veteran NFL legend Chris Samuels: “I thought this was a good way to celebrate new life to not forget it but to learn from it and move on,” she added.
During the episode, Monique referred to her miscarried child as “her angel baby” and later released several doves in the air in honor of all the other Angel babies out there.
“I know a lot of us women share the same story and a some of us don’t choose to express and share with others but I encourage us to because there’s healing in sharing, ” she added before opening up the mic later for other women in the audience to share their stories.
During the event, her cast mate Ashley Darby, who is currently pregnant accepted the opportunity to speak about having a miscarriage at age 19 and a more recent one with her restaurateur and businessman husband, Michael Darby.
Michael broke down in tears and actually left his wife’s side at a guest table temporarily.
Another castmember of the show, Katie Rost, also is familiar with tragic pregnancy loss.
Rost, a Housewife from Season 1 and currently a “friend of the Housewives” Season 4, suffered a late term miscarriage around 4-5 months of pregnancy.
She was pregnant with her fourth child with her boyfriend, a man named Jacob, earlier this year when she miscarried.
According to an Instagram social media post by Rost, Jacob infamously snapped a highly disturbing and graphic bathroom photo of Rost laying on the floor shortly after the loss happened.
She posted the photo on her Instagram page before taking it down, but not before the gossip press got their hands on it and made it a story.
While in a vulnerable state, snapping a pic is not kind but I do not want to judge her decision to then post such a private and sacred moment on social media but yeah, that’s a heavy situation.
Photo of Rost’s kids and another young girl from Rost’s GoFundMe page
Rost is currently involved in a bitter custody dispute with her ex husband James Orsini over visitation rights with her children, son, James Rocco Orsini and twin daughters Renee Rost Orsini and Kathryn Rost Orsini who she lost full custody to. She has previously accused James of being mentally, physically and financially abusive to her.
Editor’s Note:
I could relate to Samuels’ later comment on the show about living in fear after getting pregnant again.
After I lost my first ever pregnancy about 17 years ago, my husband and I were extremely anxious and scared our second would end the same, with another loss.
We even went as far as purchased a portable ultrasound so we could constantly monitor the baby’s heartbeat anytime we wanted without having to go to the doctor’s for an appointment.
A “rainbow baby” is a child born after a miscarriage, stillbirth, or passing away of an infant. These babies signify hope and healing after a loss. For parents, these babies are “the rainbow after the storm.”
Yesterday, August 22 was National Rainbow Baby Day and offers mothers a chance to share their experiences, grieve, reflect, and celebrate the joy for their rainbow babies.
Rainbow maternity and newborn maternity shoots are trending ways to honor an “at last” pregnancy or baby after a miscarriage, stillborn, neonatal death or infant loss.
The term is symbolic to a rainbow that appears after a storm. People are even incorporating the theme in their pregnancy and birth announcements as some examples can be seen here. There are more and more articles about couples that are capturing their rainbow journey in the media like this touching story about one woman we spotted in PEOPLE magazine last year.
Along the way, we have also spotted some wonderful and heart-warming photo shoots out there that have captured our hearts. Here are a few:
Congrats to Kill Bill director Quentin Tarantino and his wife, singer, Daniella Pick, who announced that they are expecting their first child.
In a statement to US celebrity magazine People, a representative for the couple said: “Daniella and Quentin Tarantino are very delighted to announce that they are expecting a baby.”
The couple met over 10 years ago when he was promoting his hit filmInglorious Basterds and married just last year.
The timing is great because the Django Unchained director was just telling talk show host Jimmy Kimmel on his show Jimmy Kimmel Live!that he was interested in starting a family.
“I haven’t been married,” he said. “I haven’t had kids, I just got married, I want to have kids.”
Tarantino’s newest project, the movie Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, is in cinemas now.
Fellow Maryland native, rapper Logic revealed in the video for a freestyle rap released this week that he is expecting his first child, a baby boy, US Weeklyreports.
In a video for his newly released freestyle song about his ill feelings towards the music industry called “No Pressure”, Logic, whose real name is Sir Robert Bryson Hall II, ends the video which he posted on his YouTube channel on Monday, August 19:
“Surprise! It’s a little baby boy, f–k TMZ they can’t get the scoop on that shit.”
It was an affront and slam against to the gossip news organization which reported in 2018 his split from his wife of two years, singer Jessica Andrea.
Though he didn’t confirm who he is expecting with, last July, TMZ reported that he tied the knot with designer Brittney Noell.
She was spotted in an engagement ring in a friend’s post.
Nutritionist, natural chef and TV Host of The Dish on Oz and Master Chef Junior judge welcomed her fourth child, a baby girl, last Wednesday, August 14th.
The Chew on CBS alum shared the tender moment when her oldest daughter 5-year old Philomena Bijou met her newborn sister Giovanna “Gigi” Ines Jovanovic, on her Instagram page.
(btw: love the nickname because it is also my daughter Gabrielle’s nickname as well.)
“Thank you so much for celebrating with us!! we’re home now and settling in to life as a family of 6,” the proud mama captioned a photo of herself cradling her newborn and one of her daughters.
