Perhaps you are a newly married couple doing some family planning, or you may have just discovered that you have a little surprise coming your way. Whether you are barely trying to get the hang of marriage and money management, or if youre simply looking ahead to a future with a baby in it, a little financial planning will go a long way once your bundle of jubilation comes along.

The US Department of Agriculture estimates that a middle income family will spend a bare minimum of $250,000 to raise a child. Yikes! Dont worry! Time is on your side. College wont be for another 18 years, at the very least. But that doesnt mean that you can slack off on saving, either.

A financial advisor can help you to realistically assess your income and your debts. More importantly a professional can help you set a realistic budget. Doing this will help you set sensible goals each month. You will find that, rather than go with your impulse to buy that gotta have it item, you will hold off on it a little longer, only to find that something of a much higher priority will come along.

Thats the whole idea of saving saying no now so that you can say yes to the important things, later.