Money: Counting Your Chicks - Newsweek: Tip Sheet Money - MSNBC.com
Money: Counting Your ChicksAug. 29-Sept. 5, 2005 issue - Ah, babies. Gotta love those cute little bundles of bills. A year of pregnancy and childbirth can easily cost $5,000 out of pocket, even if you've got good health insurance. Complicated pregnancies, births and adoptions all cost far more, and that doesn't count the babysitter you'll have to hire if you want to return to work to make back some of those costs.
At least you can plan for those expenses while you're nibbling Saltines and watching your belly grow. A new baby-expense calculator at planforyourhealth.com lets you compare the real costs of cloth with paper diapers, hospitals with home-based midwives, and that lactation coach your neighbor told you you'd need (hint: still cheaper than a year of formula).
The site, sponsored by the Financial Planning Association and Aetna, offers advice for expectant parents on how they can make sure their health insurance is up to the task and on how to budget for baby. Not to worry: you know they're worth every penny.
—Linda Stern
© 2005 Newsweek, Inc
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