In her new book, “Does This Make My Assets Look Fat?: A Woman’s Guide To Finding Financial Empowerment And Success,” JP Morgan financial adviser Susan Hirshman compares wealth management to something women tend to be familiar with: dieting. After all, healthy eating and healthy money management share a lot in common; both require planning and discipline, and both produce results when done right.

The joy a new baby brings to your life cannot be measured in dollars, but the claims he orshe will make on your bank account can. The average U.S. family now spends $222,360to rear a child from birth

With more families than ever feeling overwhelmed about their finances, we thought it would be a good time to check in with some financial planners and experts for advice on key issues parents are concerned about. The good news is that its never too late to start getting your money matters in order.

As parents, we know that we must have life insurance in order to protect our families should something happen to us.

Having your first baby is a time full of excitement. But while youre busy learning the language of baby gear or brainstorming a name for your new bundle, youll also need to think about something less thrilling: finances. On that front, Stacey L. Bradfords new book The Wall Street Journal Financial Guidebook for New Parents, is essential reading.