Zeke and Shanda Arter, owners of the Maple Street Biscuit Co. in Chattanooga, TN recognized the financial burden that couples have as they seek to adopt. Listen to today’s episode where we discuss how Zeke got the idea to start the Little Biscuit Adoption Fund, how their employees donated the first money to the project, and how you can participate in someone’s adoption journey.

Adopting and going through fertility is stressful enough and then we add the money equation to the mix. Studies show that the wounds from money-related arguments can feel more painful than other types of arguments. Join Family Money Coaching as we teach you the 5 Techniques for Better Money Conversations from the Love & Money curriculum. Be sure to subscribe, so you don’t miss out on the other 4 lessons.

When you are told you are going to need $20,000 for fertility or adoption, the first response is, where are we going to get that money? For many, your 401(k) is your biggest asset. Before you raid your 401(k) to pay for adoption and/or fertility, listen to this podcast interview as Financial Coach, Laura Coleman discusses what to consider such as opportunity costs, taxes, our different money pots, and future values.

Did you know that your Money Personality affects your decision about whether to do IVF, IUI, natural cycle IVF, or not to do fertility at all? Listen to the raw and real conversation about how a Saver and Spender made their decisions during the fertility process. Interview with Devon Baeza, a fertility financial coach and Laura Coleman, AFC a financial coach that prepares couples financially for adoption and fertility.

Melinda Simmons talks about how they raised $36,000 towards the adoption of a little boy named Ezra that they are matched with from China. Listen to the unique ways they raised money including $15,000 from Chipstarter. If you think it’s impossible to find the money for your adoption; think again. Melinda and her husband are a great example of adopting DEBT FREE! They look forward to bringing Ezra home.

Listen to Wendy, a criminal defense attorney, talk about how she and her husband Curtis, a special education teacher, decided to expand their family and help children that needed a Forever Family. Wendy and her husband adopted 4 boys through foster care. We talk about their journey through foster care to adopt 3 brothers including some heartbreak about losing siblings of their other son. When they got married and had 2 kids, they didn't set out to adopt, but they felt the calling to expand their family of 4 to a family of 8. We discuss the financial aspects of adopting through foster care including an adoption stipend and healthcare benefits after adoption. Wendy discusses the need for a community to help you as you join the foster care community. Check out www.familymoneycoaching.org for links to the topics we discuss in this podcast.

Learn how Lauren, a mom of 6 started Hope4One Ministries in hopes of giving support to other adoptive and foster families. They start a campaign to raise funds for their adoption grant Give One Save One on November 4th. Lauren and her husband adopted 3 children, 2 international and 1 domestic. We talk about some of the financial challenges of raising money, how they were successful, and what they do as a family to focus on DOING instead of getting THINGS. Lauren has created a non-profit to help foster families receive 1 week of clothes for new placements. She is building a community of support for families that may have felt alone in their journey.

If you are looking for ways to fund your adoption, listen to some ideas that Lauren was successful with and how you can apply for Hope4One's grant.