Sample issue

Hi there,

This issue's money step: call your health plan

Ten minutes on the phone before the birth can save a lot of confusion later. Have your insurance card ready and ask:

1. What is my out-of-pocket maximum this plan year, and how much have I already paid toward it?
2. Are my hospital and doctor or midwife in network?
3. How do I add my baby to the plan, and what is the deadline?

Write the answers down with the date and the name of the person you spoke to. More in Understand the hospital and birth bills.

Savings tip: go easy on newborn size

Newborn-size diapers and clothes get outgrown in a few weeks, and some babies skip them entirely. Buy one pack and a handful of outfits, and put the rest of your registry into sizes 1 and 2 and 3 to 6 months.

Reader question

"Is a secondhand car seat ever OK?" Only if it comes from someone you trust who can tell you its full history, it has never been in a moderate or severe crash, it hasn't passed the expiration date on its label and it hasn't been recalled. Otherwise, buy new. See Buy secondhand baby things safely.

Cheering you on,
Family Penny Saver