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Ok – we’re not exactly ready to tell the world whether lil’ SPF will be a boy or a girl. Give us a few weeks so we can tell our friends and family a bit more personally than via our Weekend Reading. We did learn the gender of lil’ SPF and we’re both pleased with what we were told. Truth be told, we would have been happy regardless of what we were told. Lil’ SPF is healthy and Mrs. SPF is healthy so life is awesome!
Quite a few mentions of our articles across the blogosphere this week. Thanks to:
- Canadian Finance Blog and How we Prevent Wealth for highlighting a personal article I wrote called Mom Knows Best – Financial Advice by Example. How we Prevent Wealth included this article in the exclusive Best of Money Carnival (top 10 article of the week).
- Million Dollar Journey enjoyed Green Tip #133 : Give and Experience.
- Personal Dividends linked to Mrs. SPF’s article A Green Cycle: Alternative Feminine Hygiene Products.
- Invest it Wisely and Canadian Finance Blog promoted Power Saving Technology that helps you Save Money on Energy .
- Wall Street Chalkboard appreciated 16 Driving Tips to Improve Gas Mileage.
The following are the three editors picks for this week followed by some of other favourite articles I found this week. I hope you enjoy them as much as I did.
- Childbirth can cost a heckuvalot in the United States i’ve learned lately. A LOT. Here in Canada giving birth is paid for by universal health care but our friends in the United States rely on health insurance or paying out of pocket to ensure their new blessing is brought into the world carefully. Superfrugallete wrote on of the more comprehensive articles i’ve come across this week: Thinking of having a baby? Consider a $500 investment that can save you thousands…. She does a very through financial analysis on how using a Doula service could save you a bundle on un-needed procedures.
- How often have you walked down the street and wonder what is SHE doing with that slug? Or how often have you beaten your head against a wall wondering why your friend is dating that absolute waste of oxygen? Financial Samurai asks Why do Women go out with Deadbeat Losers. Some really good responses to this inquiry in the comments section.
- Do you run a business at home? Have you considered the impact you make to the environment running a home business? A blog we found recently, Green Stay at Home Mom discusses 9 Tips to Make your Home Business more Eco-Friendly. We were pleased that our site meets all 9 criteria! Even if you can’t meet every one of these eco-friendly tips there are lots you can consider for your home business.
- Invest it Wisely asks, Moving Out? Don’t Throw that Old Furniture Out, Find a New Home for it on Kijiji. CraigsList works too.
- Canadian Finance Blog explains 13 Reasons Your Rental Suite is Empty. Late? Dirty? False advertising? Good luck …
- Prairie Eco Thrifter wonders if Electric Cars will Really Save You Money. It is still a bit cost prohibitive.
- Do Not Wait starts the Pension Advice Series with Employers Pension Plan. Pensions sure are nice to have.
- Retire by 40 contemplates whether or not to Refinance his Rental Home. Are his renters reading?
- Young and Thrifty examines Whether Pursuing a Higher Education After Joining the Job Market is Worth it?
- My Journey to Millions presents an interesting decision Would You Take this Eight Deal Offer? Looks like Bobby made the right call given 2008.
- Get Rich Slowly discusses 5 Career Moves with Exponential Returns. Possibilities abound …
- The Simple Dollar tells us how they shop for children clothes. This one gets filed for lil’ SPF.
Babies are cheap here in the US! We’re fortunate that our insurance and my husband’s companies reimbursement will soften the blow. I just worry about the hassle and paperwork.
We still are saving money to prepare for our little and we’re hoping everything continues to go smoothly.
Congrats to your family – happy to hear everything is going well :D
Thanks Elle – but if you look at the numbers by superfrugalette that hardly seems cheap to me! But then, our tax dollars pay for these costs 100% so paying zero compared to paying thousands makes thousands seem like a lot!
I actually watched the movie “The Business of Giving Birth” – a Rikky Lake doc and she outlines how much more US births cost vs pretty much everywhere else – primarily due to OBYNs insistence on pushing women in and out of hospitals like a factory line and using lots of drugs / inducing / c-sections compared to more natural birth and use of mid wives. Really good documentary.
Exciting times! You’ll definitely have to blog about your parenthood journey!
We plan to Sam. We also want to look at the financial side of preparing to become parents. We’re keeping detailed records of our expenses!
Hey SPF,
Knowing that the baby is healthy is the most important thing!
Thanks for the double mention, and I finally got a trackback from you! :P
About time IIW! I wonder why they weren’t working all those months …
Very exciting indeed and like Invest it Wisely said, as long as both Mrs. SPF and lil SPF are healthy, that’s all that matters. I am excited to hear the news though so hurry up and tell those friends and family. lol.
Thanks too for the mention. Yes, electric cars are a controversial topic.
Congratulations on your news! It’s very exciting, I’m sure. It’s also impressive that Canada’s healthcare covers childbirth, very lucky for you. ;)
Thanks LittleHouse.
I don’t know how true “Sicko” by Michael Moore was, but when he had a guy choosing which finger to keep – that scared me given our health system …
I just cant imagine living in a place where childbirth isn’t covered, ya know? We are indeed very lucky in Canada. though our health care system isn’t likely sustainable in the long run. But I guess as long as I had a job which had health insurance, it would be okay…
I’m not sure the health care isn’t sustainable long term. Many countries have health care – I think the US model is the outlier.
This will be a great journey for you! Please update us :)
VERY exciting times! :)
Thanks for the mention :) I’m so excited for you both! Lil SPF is going to be a amazing eco-frugal person, I’m sure! :)
It’s pretty exciting to find out the sex of your first child. I was very excited to find out that our first child was going to be a girl. Like you, either would have been fine but now having a girl it’s hard to imagine it having been any other way!