Whether you are deciding to have a child after years of planning or your new bundle of joy is an unexpected addition, having kids is expensive. From diapers and childcare to braces and college, parents sign themselves up for a continuous barrage of purchases, both large and small. Child-related expenses can add up on their own, but parents often have their own unrelated financial situations to consider. Budgeting and financial planning are critical for new or expecting parents, and these tips can help you start parenthood on firm financial footing.

Virtually everyone would choose to make more money if given the opportunity, but choices that impact your lifetime income potential are rarely that clear-cut. A variety of factors influence the amount of money a person makes, and the choices they make throughout their lifetime help to dictate their ability to earn money. Taking a hard look at your lifetime income potential can help you make more money in the long term, allowing you to financially support your lifestyle and retire in comfort.

As people get older, many must begin to rely more upon their children for care and support. Even the most independent retirees often chat with their kids to discuss finances, medical concerns, and housing plans for their golden years. Some people wait until they experience an accident or health scare to share their plans with loved ones, while others put off these conversations until it is too late.

People with aging parents (or retirees with adult children) should be proactive about discussing these difficult topics and life decisions. If you are an adult with aging parents, consider sitting down with them to discuss retirement planning, estate planning, and their wishes regarding housing and end-of-life care. 

Think back to the last time you went to a doctor’s office or medical facility. You likely were asked to name an emergency contact, and you probably didn’t hesitate to write down the name of your significant other, a family member, or a friend. 

It makes sense to have someone medical personnel can get in touch with if something happens to you. After all, this can ensure your well-being. 

But what about your financial well-being? If your financial institutions and advisors asked you to name a trusted contact, would you be willing to provide the name of someone they could reach out to if they were concerned about activity in your account and couldn’t reach you?

An overwhelming majority of older adults want to remain in their homes as they age. A survey by AARP found that 77% of adults 50 and older want to age in place. Other surveys have found that the percentage is even higher—nearly 90%.

It’s one thing to want to age in place. It’s another thing altogether to actually be able to make it work. That’s because there are several financial factors that can jeopardize adults’ ability to remain in their homes as long as possible. In fact, without adequate financial security and safeguards, living independently at home isn’t possible.

It’s important to understand the financial risks that can make it difficult to age in place and to take steps to reduce those risks.

An emergency fund—money dedicated to unexpected expenses—should be part of every household budget. When things go south, you won’t have to go into debt to fix them. While the fund might not be enough to completely cover truly serious emergencies, it will at least reduce the amount you have to finance.

During your working years, an emergency fund is a big help. During retirement, it’s crucial to your budget. After all, you’re living on a fixed income. You can’t take on a little overtime to help pay for that transmission repair.

Here are six reasons why an emergency fund is essential.

One of the key needs that people have is to be autonomous. In other words, it’s human nature to want to feel independent and in control. 

For those near or in retirement, financial independence is especially important. You need to have the resources to live comfortably and securely without a regular paycheck. You also need to protect those resources. 

That requires putting systems and safeguards in place. To remain financially independent and in control, tackle these tasks sooner rather than later.

When you retire, do you plan on doing one or more of the following?

• Travel the world and explore exotic locales
• Spoil your grandchildren
• Relax in your beach house or mountain cabin
• Live comfortably until you pass away

Internally, we all have big dreams for that day when we finally step down from our job and step into a life of leisure in our golden years.

f you’re a veteran, active duty service member, or surviving spouse, you have specific mortgage loan options available to you.

VA loans are offered through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. 

They can be used to build or purchase a home, refinance a mortgage, or make repairs. And they offer numerous benefits to borrowers.

Learn more about the VA loan types available to you, the benefits, and how to qualify.

If you have a credit card, chances are you’ve gotten a letter or email encouraging you to check your FICO credit score. 

But what is this score, and where does it come from?

Depending on the types of credit you have, you likely have multiple FICO scores. 

Mortgage lenders check these scores to evaluate your creditworthiness when you are looking to buy a home or refinance.

Learn why mortgage lenders look at your credit scores, how they use them, and which scores your lender may use when applying for a mortgage or refinancing.