FIVE FINANCIAL STEPS FOR NEW PARENTS

Becoming a parent is filled with new joys, challenges and financial goals. While personal finances may not be on your mind, here are five things to consider when bringing your bundle of joy  home for the first time. 
 

  1. A social insurance   number (SIN) 
    To claim children as dependants or set up  savings accounts in their name, they must have a  social insurance number. Most provinces offer a Newborn Registration Service that allows you to apply for a SIN. In British Columbia and Ontario, you can apply for their birth certificate at the same time. 
     
  2. Baby comes first – but don’t forget about your other financial goals 
    Food, childcare and education costs are just some of the expenses you’ll need to add to your budget. New parents often prioritize those costs over their own financial goals, such as saving for a home, vehicle or vacation. Remember to pay yourself first and benefit from the power of compounding interest (making interest on your already-earned interest) to increase your savings.
     
  3. Start saving for  post-secondary education 
    With the average full-time Canadian undergraduate student paying annual tuition fees of nearly $6,0001, post-secondary education can be an overwhelming expense. A registered education savings plan (RESP) can help get you closer to that goal. Not only does the money grow tax-free within the plan, but the government chips in with substantial grants. 
     
  4. Plan to protect your family’s financial  security if the unexpected happens  
    You need to help ensure your family will be taken care of financially you die or your partner dies unexpectedly. Once you’ve calculated how much you’ll need to pay off your mortgage, help put your child through postsecondary school, and replace your lost income, you can approximate how much life insurance you may need. Also, consider these basic estate planning steps  for new parents:
    - Create an inventory of assets and debts and store it in a safe place that only a trusted person can access
    - Review your insurance policies and update beneficiaries if any changes are needed
    - Prepare a will and identify the person you would request to be the child’s guardian
     
  5. Budgeting for baby  
    When infants first come home, their needs may be basic. But as they grow, previously unconsidered expenses – such as increased health insurance premiums – can surprise parents. It’s important to start your budget now. Set up a category just for your child and log all childcare expenses under it to see how much you’re spending. 

Getting your finances in order is a great way to manage the challenges of being a new parent. 

 

1  Statistics Canada, University tuition fees, 2014/2015, http://www.statcan.gc.ca/daily-quotidien/140911/dq140911b-eng.htm
Daniel Ling