Articles & Expert Guides on Work & Money

Medically-reviewed expert guides, tips, real-life stories, and articles on Work & Money

Maternity leave shouldn’t cost you your future: what every new mum needs to know about the parental pension gap

Phoebe Corcoran

Why It’s Never Too Early to Start Planning for Your Child’s Future

Phoebe Corcoran

How to Start Saving for Your Child’s Future (Without the Overwhelm)

Phoebe Corcoran

Your Step-by-Step Guide to Getting Help with Childcare Costs

Tassia Agatowski

The Do’s, Don’ts, and Benefits of Teaching Kids About Money

Keshia Sophia Roelofs

Pensions and Divorce: How to Secure Your Retirement Plans

Keshia Sophia Roelofs

5 Things You Need to Know About Your Pension During Maternity Leave

Keshia Sophia Roelofs

20 Essential Things to Do on Maternity Leave

Keshia Sophia Roelofs

Preparing for Maternity Leave: 9 Steps for Success

Keshia Sophia Roelofs

Expectations of Working Mums Are Outdated: We Need A Change

Tassia Agatowski

50 Relatable Working Mum Quotes & Helpful Tips

Tassia Agatowski

Real Talk: Michelle Kennedy on Life as a Working Mum

Tassia Agatowski

Going Back to Work After Having a Baby: What To Know

Tassia Agatowski

11 Hacks & Tips for Working Mums

Tassia O'Callaghan

How To Be a Working Mum: 7 Hints & Tips

Tassia Agatowski

Investing for Your Child’s Future: Get Started Today with EarlyBird

The EarlyBird Team

How to Save for a Baby: 10 Money-Saving Tips & Tricks

Tassia Agatowski

What’s the Best Way to Save Money (for Kids)?

Keshia Sophia Roelofs

8 Maternity Leave Out-of-Office Messages (+ 2 Paternity Templates)

Deborah Vieyra

When to Tell Work You’re Pregnant (and How)

Tassia O'Callaghan

From the community

Birth plan

I know I’m only 12 weeks right now and I have a very long time until I give birth but if I don’t start working on my labor and delivery plan I probably will never do it 🤣
What is everything I need to include on it. This is my first baby and I don’t want to miss anything

Yes I do know that things can change from now until I give birth but I can always edit it later

Placenta

I’ve been seeing on tik tok people sending their placenta for someone to turn it into a keepsake
I’m only 12 weeks pregnant so I have awhile before this happens but does anyone have recommendations for who does the best keepsakes

I don’t even know yet if my hospital will let me have it but I just want to have option available if they do

I’m just scared of getting scammed

If you work part-time, or if you did, and your partner earns more per month, how would you arrange finances?

I want to do the first option with my partner so that it's as fair and equal as possible but we're currently doing the second option where he covers the main bills and big food shops, and I just live off my own part-time earnings.

Partners/husbands

Anyone else feeling slightly frustrated that they’re now rushing the jobs for baby you’ve been asking them to do for weeks? Literally days to go.

Going back to work

Hi moms 💛

On Monday I’ll be going back to work full-time (7–3) after being a stay-at-home mom with my daughter for the last 17 months. I’m feeling really emotional about it and honestly a little scared. I’m so grateful her dad will be with her, but I’m worried about missing out on her growing up and all the little moments. I know so many moms have gone through this, and I’d really love any advice, encouragement, or reassurance from anyone who’s been in a similar season. How did the transition go for you? Did it get easier? How did you handle the guilt and the fear of missing out on time with your little one?

Thank you so much 🤍

SAHM

How does anyone become a SAHM with this rising cost on the island i been having serious mom guilt as he gets old I feel like i miss every me and my baby dad work full time at the same place 😕 😢

Financial struggle

Hey ladies 💕

I’m a stay-at-home mum and lately I’ve been feeling the pressure of the cost of living. My partner has been working so hard to support our family, and I hate seeing how exhausted he is.

To try and help out financially, I’ve recently started making candles from home. It’s completely outside my comfort zone, but I’m hoping it gives me a way to contribute while still being home with my little one.

I’d love to hear from other mums who have started a small business, side hustle, or found ways to earn an income while raising their kids. How did you get started, and what helped you keep going when things felt overwhelming?

Always looking to connect with other mums who get it 💛

Student loan - direct debit and mat leave

I was hoping it would be paid sooner but here I am in my 30s still with the student loan.
My unpaid part of mat leave will be starting in February, then I get bonus in April and then back to work in September. I will likely zero my student loan in April with the bonus.

If I set up direct debit now, would they still take the money during my unpaid months (February-March)? I know should not be repaying when no income but if it’s DD then I don’t know if they know to stop the payments.

Maternity allowance...

Hey everyone, I'm currently 31 weeks today and after hounding my HR/Payroll dept they finally got back to me and because I moved NHS trusts during early pregnancy I'm not eligible for SMP.
They said they'll need to give me a SMP1 to apply for maternity allowance..
has this happened to anyone else?
To make things worse the lady is on AL for two weeks now and no one can send me the form so I can get the ball moving... as I hear it's quite a lengthy process????
Is anyone else going through similar? Xx

How do people survive without money?

I have £20 to last me until Thursday.I have signed up for too good to go so I will be getting some food tomorrow but honestly,I feel like I m gonna snap in minute..I m so worried.Its half term and my daughter is keep asking for something..I have stopped using credit cards I m on IVa and honestly,I regret doing it