By Kelly Greene

Your bundle of joy has arrived and through the endless laundry, sleepless nights and spit-up on your clothes, you don’t want to be stressing about money. We want the very best for our children but do they really need all the fanciest items and expensive gadgets as infants? We easily fall prey to these things, especially with our first child. Many of these items aren’t necessary or can be obtained in much cheaper ways.

Here are 10 money-saving tips for new moms:

1. Buy gender-neutral items. It’s hard not to want your baby girl’s nursery to be the epitome of a pink princess palace, but a few years down the road when you have your son you’ll wish you had opted for something more neutral. 
2. Consider convertible items. There are so many great options now like cribs that can convert into a big kid bed later. Car seats and strollers also come in more options that will last longer as your child grows. 
3. Don’t dismiss...

by Kelly Greene

It's that time of year again! Many moms celebrate the end of a summer full of video games, "I'm bored," and coming home to a sink full of dishes and cups (and what is up with those cups?!? How many cups does one child need in a day?) But, celebrating aside, this time of year can cause some financial stress. School supplies, activity fees, equipment, and, of course, CLOTHES. It seems the older your kids get, the more costly these things become. So what are some ways to save money?

1. Recycle school supplies from last year. Most kids didn't use the entire box of 24 pencils or 12 glue sticks that were on last year's list. Scissors last an eternity, markers still have some juice and a backpack can be washed. 
2. Stock up for next year during this year's back-to-school clearance sales. I've seen prices slashed up to 80% a few weeks after school started. 
3. Look on Craig's List, Offer Up and at thrift stores for athletic equipment. You'll be amazed at what you...

We all grew up with various ideas about money instilled in us by our parents, some good and some not-so-good.

How do we, as parents, become positive money role models for our children?

Teach your kids the value of money at an early age.  

I know how tempting it is to buy your child every single toy or book they want, especially around birthdays and holidays whether it's to avoid a tantrum or just because they’re so darn cute, buying your children anything and everything they want doesn’t teach them the value of money. 

Encourage your kids to save money.  

It can be very tempting to spend birthday and holiday money on one trip to Target, only for your child to be bored with their purchase a week later. Motivate your child to set a goal and save up for it. One of my sons is currently saving for a Nintendo Switch. It's a lofty goal for him, but I know he’ll feel a sense of accomplishment.

I recently took two of my kids to open up an account at...

Feeling overwhelmed by the sight of your mail? Does your mounting debt seem like an insurmountable hurdle? Remember, it doesn't have to stay this way! Let's embark on the journey toward financial freedom with these six easy-to-follow steps to start paying off debt.

Step 1: Honestly Evaluate Your Debt

When bills flood in at various times during the month, it's easy to lose sight of your total debt. Gather all your bills, lay them out, and take an honest look at the big picture. It might be a tough pill to swallow, but acknowledging your debt situation is the first of the steps to start paying off debt.

Step 2: Negotiate Lower Interest Rates

Your loyalty to your credit card companies can be leveraged. Reach out to them, express your loyalty, and discuss the possibility of a lower interest rate. This approach can also work wonders with internet and cable companies!

Step 3: Review Your Credit Score

Mistakes in credit reports are not uncommon. Ensure your debts, credit limits, and missed...