One of the most enjoyable and happy occasions in a couple's life is the extension of the family unit. Whether this is through pregnancy or adoption, the joy is all the same.

The trouble, however, begins when your finances are not in a suitable position to accommodate the needs of this new addition to the family. A clear sign of this is debt. When your finances are causing you stress and unhappiness, then you can know you're not ready for the responsibility of an added financial strain.

The best thing you can do for yourself is to first get your finances in order. That just means getting organized finances, by either learning to budget or by purchasing finance software that will help you. This is of course the ideal situation, but we do not live in an ideal world.

Sometimes a pregnancy can happen unexpectedly before you have time to adjust financially. Yet there is still time. You do not need to be a millionaire or an accountant to have organized finances.

You do, however, have to be financially smart. Be goal orientated and decide how you want your finances to look like in a specific time frame; and then apply that vision to now.

By being financially smart, you can decrease stress, which could rob you of the joys that come with parenthood.

If you take nothing else away from this article, heed this: Be realistic and take charge before you are emotionally eroded by debt. Don't let your finances rule you. You must rule them.

Liberate yourself from the chains of finances through better management. Removing the burden will free you to concentrate on more important things in life, such as the arrival of a new family member.