If we’re just talking dollars and cents, kids are a terrible investment. How are parents supposed to cover the day-to-day necessities—plus dance lessons, coding classes, and tutors—while saving for the future? In today's episode, we help one young mother answer those questions.  Expert: Shannon Mclay Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

Student loan debt has become a national crisis. Today, 44 million Americans owe a collective $1.5 trillion. (Yes, trillion.) Nearly two-thirds of that debt belongs to women, including today's guest, whose student loan debt — more than $250,000 — is about four times her annual salary. Expert: Farnoosh Torabi.  Click here to schedule a visit with the National Foundation for Credit Counseling. And for more information on student loan debt forgiveness and the survey mentioned in this episode, click here.   Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices