A couple of weeks ago I shared my financial fears in marriage and some tips and tricks I’ve used over the years to overcome them. I love doing posts like this because not only do I get to share the fact that I, too, have financial fears but it gives me an opportunity to find out if all of us have similar concerns. Spoiler alert: we do!
Read more
“Life imitates Art far more than Art imitates Life,” wrote Oscar Wilde, but we think some of the greatest art — or at least TV — shines in executing the latter. Shows dating back farther than The Honeymooners were built on the idea that our everyday lives — our marriages, our kids, our jobs — hearten us and make us laugh, and the continued success of quintessential shows like Modern Family have proven that belief still rings true.
With hundreds of channels and dozens of platforms for watching TV, there’s only more opportunity to laugh at the everyday comedy of life, and to cry at its challenging realities. Things aren’t perfect, but there’s plenty of love, respect, and fun to go around. They rarely disappoint and they almost always comfort. So pop the popcorn, kick back, and enjoy these four shows that truly capture the modern family.
Read more
I’d be lying if I said I didn’t have a few after the bliss of the wedding day wore off and reality was upon us. Although many fears come and go, I’ve faced three major fears in marriage that I’m sure many of you can relate to. Rest easy, though, because there are solutions.
Read more
We all like real talk. We’ll gossip about people we know. We’ll judge parenting choices. We’ll be sure to let you know what we think about Donald Trump. We’ll even talk about things that happen behind bedroom doors.
But, when it comes to financial real talk and divulging the details of our family’s planning habits? We’re not having any of that.
You know what people hate even more at dinner parties? Talking about death. No one wants to talk about the inevitable. We’d prefer to just ignore death even though the end is going to come for all of us. Just imagine you’re sitting at a dinner table with friends. You’re all enjoying a great meal out. The kids are home, so the conversation (and the wine) is flowing. There’s a lull in the conversation between gossip about the new baseball coach and talk of your kids.
Read more
Parenting is stressful.
It’s challenging, it’s tiring, and worst of all, it’s important. I don’t care if you have one kid, two kids, five kids, or are the Duggars. Being a parent is like living inside a pressure cooker. And, it gets hotter every day.
Especially when you turn up the heat by having multiple children.
When you have kids, your normal everyday fears (the generic stuff everyone worries about) – health, finances, the future, if the new Star Wars movie will actually deliver – are immediately multiplied, because now, on top of your own stuff, you’re also worrying about someone else’s health and finances and future and level of appreciation for Star Wars.
I’m going gray(er) just thinking about it.
Read more
My friend placed her hands on her sides and leaned back, just enough to take the pressure off her giant belly. “Tell me the truth, Caitlin,” she said. “Are my husband and I going to end up hating each other when the baby comes?”
I couldn’t help but laugh – there was definitely a moment with my first baby when I really, truly wanted to kill my husband. My murderous rage surfaced in the middle of the night; I had been rocking a fussy newborn for an hour, my arms sore and my breasts leaking, while my husband slept with a peaceful smile on his face, oblivious to the whole thing. In that moment, I hated him. Hated him!
In the morning, he made me a coffee and omelet, and I decided that he wasn’t so bad after all.
All joking aside, a child can be hard on a marriage, and it’s not just because you’re both sleep-deprived and stressed. Children are challenging because you must figure out how to parent together. I’m blessed with an amazing husband (whose biggest sin is the ability to sleep through a crying baby), but I’ve learned a lot after parenting two children with him.
Read more
“Will my kids be better off than me?” is a question at the forefront of every parent’s mind. It’s certainly something I think about for my two children.
Today’s parents are increasingly called upon to provide for their children well into adulthood. It’s never too soon to start preparing our kids for a strong financial footing, and we’ll do whatever it takes to ensure it. However, our concern for the next generation doesn’t begin and end at financial wellness.
Read more
My name is Julie Fagan and I am currently 37 weeks pregnant. My husband and I are expecting a baby boy this August and as first-time parents, we had no idea what to expect going into this new and exciting stage in our lives. Though the journey has been filled with immense joy, I’ve also experienced more stress and anxiety than I anticipated.
Read more
Planning for maternity or paternity leave can be daunting, especially if both you and your spouse have jobs with long hours. Combine that with preparing for having a new baby in the house – and that leaves you and your partner with a lot to think about and plan for. Relax, mommies and daddies to-be, we can help you adequately prepare or at least figure out the right questions to ask along the way.
Read more
Discussing finances with anyone is a tricky subject. Think of when it comes time to split the bill and you know you didn’t have as many drinks as your companions. Or, remember when you needed to tell your future spouse about salary, savings and credit score?
Speaking openly about finances is a vital conversation for successful couples. However, despite this being an important subject, many Americans are having a difficult time taking the plunge and putting their finances out on the table.
Read more