Q&A: Taking Care of Finances Before Getting Pregnant?

As with other planned life-changing events (going off to college, getting married, etc.), it’s best to get your finances in order as early as possible. Take a look at our Money Matters Checklist, which outlines everything you’ll need to take care of. Once you devise a family-focused budgetin anticipation of pregnancy, try living on it to see if it’s really feasible. This way, you can fine-tune your plan without the added stress of an actual baby.

Also, if you’re self-employed and don’t have a private disability policy, apply for one that includes pregnancy and postpartum coverage as soon as possible. (Once pregnant, you won’t be able to obtain new coverage.)