5 Steps to a debt-free family holiday

Nothing kills a holiday glow like a holiday debt. And it’s not just the travel costs and accommodation that can be the culprit. Here’s how to keep that holiday buzz and avoid the blowout.

Survive school holidays on a budget

Keeping the kids amused throughout school holidays is no mean feat – and it can clean out your wallet, too.

The pain-free family budget - and how to stick to it!

We all know we need one, but if you dread having to live by a budget, forget the idea that it's all about what you can't have.

Website to rate quality of childcare

Cosima Marriner Parents will soon be able to rate their childcare centre online and share their reviews with other parents.

2012 Changes – what you need to know

Justine Davies How will government policy change affect your family this year?

Getting your job back after maternity leave: don't bank on it

Kelly Burke ''Women and men might be treated the same at work, but when things really change is when women want to go off and have a child. They will take maternity leave and all of a sudden they are treated differently, as if they don't have the same aspirations or ambitions any more.''

Cabinet creche is great, but focus on women's home lives kills ambition

Julia Baird For too many women, ambition is still a foul-smelling word. One we need to shy from, disown, walk past in the street as though we cannot remember its name.

Comments

Baby bonus, immunisation allowance to be cut

Justine Davies The Federal government aims to make $6.8 billion in savings through new cost-cutting measures, including a reduction of the Baby Bonus and Maternity Immunisation Allowance.

Top 10 online shopping sites for Christmas

We recently asked our EB readers on Facebook where they are doing their Christmas online shopping and here are the top 10 places to shop online this Christmas.

The working mother myth

Michelle Griffin In the real world, very few women with children can afford to opt out of the rat race for the sake of their families.

Is it yours? Childcare money goes begging

Stephanie Peatling About 100,000 families are missing out on up to $7500 in childcare assistance, government figures reveal.

Justine Davies

Making a Christmas budget – and sticking to it!

Christmas is such a wonderful time of the year, but also expensive. Here are some tips on a budget and how to stick to it!

Paid leave snapped up by parents

Stephanie Peatling About 100,000 families have used paid parental leave in its first year.

Nannies give gift of freedom

Mother of four Marie Leahy employs a nanny seven hours a day, five days a week. But unlike parents who use childcare, she gets no rebate.

Working women owed a break

Stephanie Peatling Parents must be able to claim childcare - including nannies - as a tax deduction if Australia is to increase the number of women in the workforce.

Taking maternity leave presents its challenges

Annette Dowd took seven months' leave after the birth of her son and the experience was full of positives for her family.

Penalty rate

Women pay price for baby leave

Adele Horin Maternity leave lowers salary up to three years after return to work.

Career after baby? What career?

Kylie Orr You can skirt around the issue of returning-to-work after baby with whatever fancy, politically correct phrases you like, but when it’s reduced down like a Masterchef-style jus, the stress, the negotiation, the juggle and the guilt make the whole process, simply, crap.

Is a fourth child a status symbol?

Kylie Orr I’m not a good Catholic, dole bludger nor a sex addict but if the number of children I have says anything, I’m a social climber.

Carbon Tax – What families need to know

Justine Davies The carbon tax: not since John Howard introduced the GST in 2000 has a government initiative created so much public uproar.

Sponsored feature

Holden Captiva Series II review

EB TEST DRIVER For parents wanting a larger car with decent fuel economy, and the flexibility to head off road, perhaps it's time to look at this diesel-variant SUV to deliver bang for buck.

Numbers add up as mothers return to work sooner

Michelle Griffin For most mothers, the days of staying at home until the youngest child starts school are over.

Tax: five things to do before EOFY

Justine Davies Busy parents need to make extra time to organise for their tax return - here are five must-do's before EOFY.

Childcare Tax Rebate – Something to do TODAY!!!

Justine Davies Under the current arrangement, most parents receive their child rebate quarterly. Under the new arrangements parents can choose one of four payment options!

Forget about the NBN: Concentrate on what you’ve got right now

Justine Davies How often do you review your household costs? Most of us are looking for ways to save money – but how often do we actually review the bills that we regularly pay?

EB guide to the Federal Budget 2011

Justine Davies An overview of the main budget initiatives for Australian families.

Teen mums need support, not threats

Amity Dry The budget measures aimed at teenage mothers, announced this week, seem to me to be short sighted, mean spirited and unfair.

Talking to your employer about Paid Parental Leave

If you are eligible for the Paid Parental Leave scheme, it is important that you discuss your leave intentions with your employer.