Are you a parent trying to juggle your family's budget while still enjoying life? We’re going to walk you through how to find a balance with raising your kids, managing your money, and have fun! Parenting on a Budget: Strategies for Juggling Kids, Money, and Happiness When you’re a parent, it can sometimes feel like there are so many demands on your finances and times. As we raise our kids, we may have to deal with daycare, school trips, extra curricular activities, family vacations, saving for college or trade, the list goes on and on. Oh wait, you’re also expected to save for your own retirement. It feels like a lot, right? The pressure we feel from others or that we put on ourselves can make it seem like the price of parenthood is too much. While we do have more responsibilities as we raise our kids, there are some real joys with it. The trick is find a way to identify your family’s particular priorities and manage your money in a way that balanced and fits the particular season of life you’re in. Which is why I’m so glad Melissa McCollough from Coastal Credit Union is here to join us. Not only is she the Digital Marketing Manager behind Coastal’s blog, but she’s also a mom who knows firsthand the juggling act of parenthood. I love someone in the trenches chatting with me about making this work well. In this episode we get into: common challenges parents and families face when it comes to budgeting, and how to get through themeffective strategies for saving money on kid-related expenses without sacrificing quality or experiencestools and resources, both online and in your community, that can make it easier to stay on top of your money so you have more time with your kids So, whether you're a parent looking to navigate the complexities of family finances or simply curious about the art of budgeting, this podcast episode is a must-listen. We have a lot to cover, so let’s dive in! Resources to Build Better Budgets If you’re looking to start or revamp your budget so you can reach your family and financial goals faster, check out some of these resources below! Best Budget and Money Apps: Empower, Tiller, MintGrab Your Copy of My Book: Jumpstart Your Marriage and Your Money Finding the Best Paying Side Hustles for You Why and How You Need to Diversify Your Income18 Money-Saving Challenges To Save More Money!Send in your family and financial questions here! If you’d like to chat more your money system, please join us in our private and free Facebook group – Thriving Families. We’re families looking to support and help one another out. Hope to see you there! Thank You to Our Sponsor Coastal! Support for this podcast comes from Coastal Credit Union! Come check out Coastal today if you’re living in the Raleigh Durham area and looking to bank better. As a credit union, Coastal serves its members first and foremost including an annual loyalty bonus. We've been members for years and love their service and competitive rates on checking and savings accounts! Support the Podcast! Thank you so much for listening to the podcast! If you enjoyed this episode and found it helpful, here are some ways to support it. Spread the word! If you enjoyed this episode and think it can help a buddy get on the path to dumping debt and become financially free, please share.Join our coffee group ☕: Get access to exclusive behind the scenes videos, chats, and more!Leave a review. Honest feedback and reviews make a big difference and gets the word out about the podcast. Leave your review on Apple or Stitcher.Grab a copy of Jumpstart Your Marriage and Your Money. My book is designed for a busy couple to set up their finances in four weeks. Get tips and tools that have worked for other couples on their journey of building their marriage and wealth together!