Tips for working mums like Victoria Beckham on beating the guilt
Posted inFamily life Tips for working mums

Tips for working mums like Victoria Beckham on beating the guilt

Victoria Beckham has recently been quoted saying she often feels guilty about being a working mum and has to juggle like everyone else – millionaire or not!

Speaking at the Vogue Festival in London she said: “It’s difficult juggling working, having the children, having a husband who travels. I do have a bit of help, I have a nanny, I can’t do it all myself.

“I really enjoy being a mum, I love them [her children] and I’d do anything for them. But I also love what I do. I think anyone who says it’s easy is lying.”

Her sentiments are shared by working mums across the globe. We have to work for one reason or another, but the guilt of leaving our children with someone else, or missing school events because of work, or always being too tired and time pressed to chat and spend as much time with the kids is all too real.

So does the guilt ever go? The answer is no, but here are some important things to know:

Posted inThings to do with the kids

Digital parenting: how to set parental controls on the latest gadgets

These days, most children own a computer, mobile phone and games console, so it’s essential that mums know how to set up the parental controls on these devices. Need advice? Get the lowdown here.

How to dress for interviews…and do you really need to wear a suit?
Posted inA mix Get the Look How to look for a job

How to dress for interviews…and do you really need to wear a suit?

Making the best impression at job interviews is not always about what you say. Your clothes, hair and overall look can speak volumes.

If you’ve been out of work for a while, or are branching into a new career or sector, you may wonder what the protocol is style wise…it can get a little confusing to say the least. and the pressure of making the best first impression you can doesn’t help matters, either.

Here are some tips to get the balance right and win over a recruiter:

Tenderstem and chorizo pizza
Posted inFoodie Fridays

Tenderstem and chorizo pizza

A family favourite that the kids can help make and can be very easily tailored to suit different people’s tastes

Six ways to make money selling your unwanted possessions
Posted inMoney - how to keep it and how to make it

Six ways to make money selling your unwanted possessions

Are you sitting on a small fortune at home with unused it’s you’ve left to collect dust in cupboards, in the shed and everywhere else in between?

If you’re thinking about decluttering and don’t want to just throw out unused possessions then why not get some money back for your efforts?

Here are six ways you can do just that:

Research shows that 70% of families in low incomes are not claiming benefits they are entitled to
Posted inMoney - how to keep it and how to make it News for mums

Research shows that 70% of families in low incomes are not claiming benefits they are entitled to

There’s been a lot of publicity on government cuts since the Coalition’s budget reforms last year. But it seems that many families are just trying to get by without claiming benefits that they are actually entitled to.

New research published by Turn2us, part of national charity Elizabeth Finn Care, has found that families who could be in most need of financial help are not accessing the financial support that is available to them.

Top five styles for Summer office glamour
Posted inGet the Look

Top five styles for Summer office glamour

Summer is slowly approaching, which means it is time to adjust your wardrobe for the workplace!

Here are five top styles for summer office glamour:

Fostering a child pays, but mums have no idea, finds survey
Posted inFamily life

Fostering a child pays, but mums have no idea, finds survey

The UK’s shortage of foster carers has been keenly do unwanted and advertised in the media, but according to one of the UK’s foster agencies, Compass Community, ignorance about fostering is hindering efforts to combat the issue.

More than half the mums surveyed on the Netmums website thought they would receive less than £5,000 a year for fostering a child, and nine out of 10 thought they would receive less than £15,000. The real figure is actually £20,000-40,000 a year depending in the needs of the child (disabilities etc).

Just one month to go until tax credit renewal deadline!
Posted inAll things tax

Just one month to go until tax credit renewal deadline!

If you claim tax credits, your renewal pack will hit your doormat anytime this week until June, ahead of the 31 July 2013 tax credit renewal deadline.

HMRC is urging people to let them know about any changes to their circumstances that they haven’t already reported, such as changes to working hours, childcare costs or pay. Claimants may also be asked, to provide details of their income last year, so make sure you’ve got your P60 and payslips handy.

Podcast: Are you trading from the right business entity?
Posted inPodcasts for mums

Podcast: Are you trading from the right business entity?

Are you thinking of starting a business but don’t know whether to set up as a limited company or declare self-employed income to the taxman?

Chorizo and olive pasta bake
Posted inFoodie Fridays

Chorizo and olive pasta bake

Ingredients

  • 400g pasta
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 2 crushed garlic cloves
  • 1 tsp paprika and 1 tsp thyme
Nelsons Mini Fab Fish Pie
Posted inFoodie Fridays

Nelsons Mini Fab Fish Pie

Ingredients (serves 4)

  • 400g potatoes, peeled and chopped
  • 100g carrots, peeled and chopped
  • A knob of butter
  • 2 tbsp milk
Illegal pyramid schemes and how to tell the difference between them and legitimate businesses
Posted inBusiness ideas Money - how to keep it and how to make it

Illegal pyramid schemes and how to tell the difference between them and legitimate businesses

Hands up if you know or have known of at least one Avon lady? Somehow when you see that brochure, you know exactly what to expect.

Did you know that Avon and other businesses like it (Virgin at Home, Mary Kay Cosmetics, Kleeneze…) are all network marketing businesses?

How to spring clean your finances
Posted inMoney - how to keep it and how to make it

How to spring clean your finances

In times of austerity just about every savvy mum is looking for ways to claw back money and use it elsewhere, or save for those rainy days. It’s dull, boring, and sometimes a bit disheartening when you look at the cost of living your life and having a family to look after, but if you don’t take the bill by the horns, no one else can do it for you…

Here are three quick tips to help you deck utter your finances:

Posted inVideo tutorials

Video tutorial: how to monetise your blog

Blog, check! Traffic, check! Money coming in…no check! Does this sound like you? You’ve given your blog your blood, sweat and tears and get lots of comments and social media shares, but not a penny to show for your efforts?

Would you like to see how you can monetise your blog and make your late nights worth it? This video tutorial will show you how to do just that.

Three reasons why not having a Facebook page for your business is a missed opportunity for your business
Posted inWhat's in the news?

Three reasons why not having a Facebook page for your business is a missed opportunity for your business

Facebook might have started out as a way of keeping in touch with friends and family, but it has grown into a valuable business tool. Make sure you’re not missing out on all the potential it offers.

No matter what type of business you own, a Facebook fan page can help you find more customers, make more sales to your existing customer base and make more profit.

Not convinced? Here are three more reasons you should create a Facebook page for your business:

Three simple tips to create a happy workplace using positive psychology
Posted inWork and career tips and advice

Three simple tips to create a happy workplace using positive psychology

Happy teams are successful teams. And if you want a happy team then you need to make people feel good.

Sarah Lewis is a chartered psychologist and author of ‘Positive Psychology at Work’ (Wiley) and she offers three positive psychology tips to make your team feel great and be more productive:

Free course for childminders from HM Revenue
Posted inAll things tax Courses for mums What's in the news?

Free course for childminders from HM Revenue

Are you a childminder? Would you like help with understanding tax, National insurance and learn how to keep your financial records in order?

HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) is offering self-employed childminders free online webinars to help with tax issues.

You can watch and participate in the live webinars from you laptop or mobile phone (if it’s a smartphone).

How to stay sane when you working from home starts to take a toll
Posted inHow to cope with problems at work What's in the news?

How to stay sane when you working from home starts to take a toll

For many mums the ability to work from home would be a dream! being able to take the kids to school and pick them up, put a load and dinner on, and all while making enough money to live the lifestyle of choice…

But for many mums who work from home, it just doesn’t always seem to be all it’s supposed to be. The stress and pressure of trying to juggle everything with not a soul around to ask if you want a cuppa can be too much.

Here a four tips to help you stay sane when working from home starts to take a toll: