Can you believe it’s Christmas again?  This year has flown by!  Christmas in my house is full of ritual and tradition. Some old and some new, but it’s the familiarity and comfort these customs generate that make the season unique.  (more…)

One of the great joys in life is travelling. For Australians it’s virtually a rite-of-passage. In my late teens I spent a year aboard and loved every moment of it.  Twenty years later I still experience a thrill every time (more…)

Divorce is a difficult time. No matter what the circumstances, coming to terms with the breakdown of a long-standing relationship can be traumatic. For many separating couples, the added pressure of issues like child custody and property settlement can cause an already fragile relationship to shatter. And yet keeping a level head can be critical when you are trying to negotiate a positive financial outcome for yourself. And yet for some reason, women seem to end up worse off after divorce on this score. (more…)

Discovering you are pregnant is one of the most exciting moments in life.  A new baby triggers feelings of elation, excitement and possibly surprise.  But once the emotions settle and reality sets in, there are other more practical issues to consider.  (more…)

Recently I was walking through Sydney’s CBD at lunchtime.  I’m not there that often so I found the vibrancy and congestion of the place quite intense.  It’s certainly a different world from the day-to-day of getting 4 kids ready for the school run!  I confess I felt out of place among all the impeccably dressed business men and women rushing around. Walking past the gorgeous shop window displays only fuelled the insecurity I felt about my own, let’s call it, “relaxed” appearance. (more…)

Gardening is one of my passions. I wouldn’t go so far as to call myself a green thumb, but it’s definitely something that inspires me. One part of my garden that I’m particularly proud of, is my vegetable patch. There are a couple of reasons I find it so appealing. (more…)

I’ve just been on holiday with my eldest daughter Lucia. It was just the two of us for a week, and the experience was lovely. In my household, four children means that one-on-one time can be a bit of a rarity. On the trip we had time for plenty of conversations. We discussed everything, from friends, family, school, current events, careers - and even money. (more…)

I recently attended the funeral of a man I knew who died suddenly in a fatal accident. As he was the father of five young children, the occasion was devastating. What hit me hardest about the whole event was the fact that his children have been left fatherless at so young an age. (more…)

The kids are back at school, and for some that might mean a return to paid work. Depending on how long you’ve been out of the workforce, it can be hard to know where to start. For example, returning to the job you had before children may not be appealing or practical. Faced with starting afresh, your confidence may be low and you may be unsure about what direction to take. But there are plenty of ways to on-ramp back into the workforce - it’s just a matter of taking it one step at a time. (more…)

My two elder children who are 8 and 10 have reached the age where they recognise the value of money. They save it, spend it - but above all desire it. And while their weekly allowance isn’t directly aligned to their jobs list, it means I have some kind of bargaining tool for household chores. Money talks! (more…)