I've been speaking to parents on the topic of transportation and home safety, along with other topics about kids for over 20 years. I am continually surprised by the number of parents who think they need the latest and greatest x. While it is your money and you are free to spend it as you wish in a free market, as always, buyer beware. It should be no surprise that there are many products out there whose goal is nothing more than getting money out of someone's pocket. While that has been true, literally forever, for first time parents the need to navigate these waters is exceptionally important, and incredibly challenging. While I am not going to pick on specific products today, I'll save that for another time, I am going to offer this advice. While you are expecting, getting the baby's room ready, sharing this awesome experience with family and friends, start getting this little bundle of joy ready for a financial future. Open a 401k, 529 account, or similar appropriate investment vehicle, now. Ask all of those friends and family who are going to want to or offer to buy you stuff to make that same "payment" into this investment account for your little one and let that money grow over the next 18 years instead of the piles of junk that would otherwise grow in your closets, garage, basement and attic. You and your kid(s) will be far better off in 18 years if you do.
As always with my writing, Share what you like, ignore what you don't. I write what I see and know, and comments, good or bad, mean nothing to me. I will write regardless. If you wish to debate something, do it in another forum. I am not looking for any ego boost or validation, so don't waste your time. Cheers!
