When life gets expensive, my family of 7 plays the 'no-spend week' challenge. Here's the gist.

Tech Insider : Business
A parent and child write down their budget using receipts with an iphone and a laptop.
I have 5 kids, so unexpected costs can come up.

Images By Tang Ming Tung/Getty Images

We went on our first date night as new parents. I thought it would be harder to leave our daughter with a babysitter.

Tech Insider : Business
A couple walking down the street holding hands.
The author (not pictured) and her husband recently left their daughter with a babysitter for the first time.

Pekic/Getty Images/iStockphoto

I lost my job and was diagnosed with cancer within months. With 8 kids, I had no choice but to keep going.

Tech Insider : Business, Economy
Family photo
The author has eight kids.

Courtesy of the author

Serena Williams says starting her career so young ended up helping her as a mom

Tech Insider : Business
Serena Williams.
Serena Williams says years of hard work in her youth gave her the chance to focus on her family at this stage of her life.

Victor Boyko/Getty Images for Gucci

I kept working as an RN even after my husband had made more than $30 million in the NFL. It gave me a sense of purpose.

Tech Insider : Business, Travel
Hunter Henry and his family
Parker Henry is married to Hunter Henry, tight end of the New England Patriots.

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My daughter was murdered in a school shooting. We've kept her bedroom exactly as it was on the day she died.

Tech Insider : Business
A little girl's bedroom is painted pink
Jackie Cazares' bedroom has been kept the same way since she was murdered in May 2022 in a school shooting.

Courtesy of Netflix

My 5-year-old started his long Christmas wish list in October. I finally found a way to keep him happy without breaking the bank.

Tech Insider : Business
A boy in a festive sweater writes in a notebook. A Christmas tree is in the background.
The author said her son (not pictured) started his holiday wish list back in October.

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Alicia Keys says a realization about her 'own triggers' shaped the way she parents

Tech Insider : Business
Alicia Keys.
Alicia Keys says being a mother has taught her a lot about herself.

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As a twin dad, I try to prioritize alone time with each of my sons. I spent $1000 to take one to his first concert, and it was money well spent.

Tech Insider : Business
Dad and son at Oasis concert
The author took one of his twins to see Oasis.

Courtesy of the author

As my kids grew older, I worried about losing them. Getting into their interests helped us connect more.

Tech Insider : Business
A family watches TV together

Maskot/Getty Images/Maskot

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