Meredith Rines, Author at Baby Chick

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Meredith Rines, MBA, CFP®

Meredith Rines

Accountant and Certified Financial Planner

Wife, Mom, MBA, Certified Financial Planner, and a budget and financial strategist helping families pay off debt and live the life they've always wanted. Meredith resides in Missouri with her husband, their 4-year-old son, and their 3 rescue dogs.

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A woman sits on a couch holding a tablet and a credit card, while a small child sits on her lap intently looking at the tablet screen. The scene is indoors with soft focus background that includes a window and some flowers, illustrating when to use a credit card for easy online shopping.

When To Use a Credit Card, Debit Card, and Cash

A child is lying on the ground, stacking coins in various piles. A jar filled with more coins sits next to them as they focus on organizing the money. This outdoor setting with greenery and blurred structures provides a perfect backdrop for teaching kids about money.

The Importance of Teaching Kids About Money (With Tips and Games)

A glass jar labeled "Child College Fund" is filled with coins and some dollar bills. The jar sits on a table with sunlight filtering in, casting shadows. Other blurred objects are visible in the background.

How To Start a College Fund for Your Child

Articles

A woman sits on a couch holding a tablet and a credit card, while a small child sits on her lap intently looking at the tablet screen. The scene is indoors with soft focus background that includes a window and some flowers, illustrating when to use a credit card for easy online shopping.

When To Use a Credit Card, Debit Card, and Cash

A family is gathered around a table, smiling. The child is placing coins into a pink piggy bank while the adults, presumably the parents, look on. There are dollar bills and coins scattered on the table, perhaps part of their monthly family budget planning.

How to Create a Monthly Family Budget

A woman with glasses is sitting at a table working on her laptop, meticulously calculating the annual family budget. She is using a calculator and has papers spread out in front of her. The background shows a cozy living room with shelves and furniture.

How To Put Together an Annual Family Budget

A woman pushing a shopping cart with a young boy sitting inside is saving time grocery shopping. The woman is carrying a tan handbag and wearing sunglasses, a white shirt, and overalls. The boy is sporting a gray hat, blue shirt, brown shorts, and blue shoes. They are walking past a white wall.

How To Save Money and Time Grocery Shopping for Your Family

A man and woman sit at a kitchen table, both looking at a laptop screen. The man, wearing glasses and a blue denim shirt, is typing on the laptop. The woman, in a gray shirt, holds a document and appears engaged in the discussion about their money date.

How To Have a Successful Money Date

Three people are sitting at a kitchen island. One person is holding papers, while another works on a laptop. Books and colorful binders are on shelves in the background. The setting is bright and well-lit with natural light from windows, ideal for discussing whether to hire a family financial planner.

Why You Should Hire a Financial Planner for Your Family

A man and woman are in a kitchen, with the man looking at papers and the woman holding a baby. Another child is sitting at the table with toys. A laptop is open on the countertop, surrounded by vegetables. Books on growing your money are visible on a shelf in the background.

5 Habits To Help Grow Your Money With Young Children

A baby dressed in a blue outfit with suspenders lies on a pink surface surrounded by dollar bills, a calculator, glasses, a pen, markers, and a small globe. With a neutral expression facing the camera, this setup hints at tips to save money on baby costs.

5 Easy Ways To Save Money on Baby Costs

Babies (3 - 11 months)

A pregnant woman in a white tank top sits against a wall with her legs bent. She places her left hand on her stomach and her right hand on her forehead, appearing distressed from financial stress while pregnant. The lighting is dim, with a lamp on the left side casting a soft glow.

3 Proven Ways To Remove Financial Stress While Pregnant

Pregnancy Lifestyle

A woman in a business suit sits at a desk, holding a clipboard and talking to a standing pregnant woman in a grey top holding a glass of water. They are in an office with shelves and decorations in the background, discussing important questions to ask HR about maternity leave.

5 Questions To Ask Your Human Resources Department When Pregnant

Second Trimester

A person in grey shorts holds a pink piggy bank between their legs and is inserting a coin into it, subtly hinting at why kids should get an allowance. The background is out of focus.

Should You Give Your Kids an Allowance?

School-Aged Kids (5 - 12 years)

A child is lying on the ground, stacking coins in various piles. A jar filled with more coins sits next to them as they focus on organizing the money. This outdoor setting with greenery and blurred structures provides a perfect backdrop for teaching kids about money.

The Importance of Teaching Kids About Money (With Tips and Games)

A pregnant woman with long blonde hair stands outside on a walkway next to a glass railing. She is wearing a white dress and smiling while holding her belly with both hands, thinking about the new maternity leave policy. The background includes a brick wall and glass windows.

Decoding Your Maternity Leave Policy

Second Trimester

A pregnant person wears a purple cardigan and sits at a desk, holding their belly with one hand and writing "Maternity Leave Plan" in a planner with the other. A computer keyboard and office supplies are visible in the background.

6 Tips for Creating a Maternity Leave Money Plan

Third Trimester

A man holds a newborn baby in his arms while a woman stands close, looking at the baby. The woman has her arm around the man's shoulder and holds a toy giraffe. They are indoors, possibly in a living room with a potted plant in the background, reflecting their practical approach to staying on budget.

Staying on Budget With a New Baby

Newborns (0 - 2 months)

A glass jar labeled "Child College Fund" is filled with coins and some dollar bills. The jar sits on a table with sunlight filtering in, casting shadows. Other blurred objects are visible in the background.

How To Start a College Fund for Your Child

A woman and a man are looking at a laptop on a couch. The woman, wearing glasses and holding the laptop, seems to be understanding health insurance. The man stands, leaning over the couch with a mug in hand. Papers, a notepad, and a calculator are on the couch beside the woman.

5 Steps To Understanding Your Health Insurance Before Giving Birth

Second Trimester

A couple with a small child shop for produce in a grocery store, mindful of their grocery budget. The woman holds the child while the man pushes a shopping cart. They are looking at vegetables on display, including zucchinis and potatoes. The store has bright lighting.

How To Create a Family Grocery Budget

A pregnant woman sits against a blue wall with her hands covering her face, seemingly distressed. She is wearing a white t-shirt and her hair is tied back in a ponytail, highlighting the financial stress she may be experiencing during pregnancy.

7 Tips for Dealing With Financial Stress During Pregnancy

Pregnancy Lifestyle

A pregnant person in a grey dress holds a small pink piggy bank with both hands in front of their belly, symbolizing financial planning for the baby. They are standing against a plain grey background, wearing a brown belt.

Financial Planning for Baby: Paying Down Debt vs. Building Savings

Pregnancy Lifestyle

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