Beanstalk Single Mums

How to choose the right child care centre for your little one

Desperately trying to find the perfect child care centre for your little one? Let us help you as I chat to Gabby Hegerty from the new game-changing search and compare child care website, Toddle.

 

We discuss: The advantages of enrolling your child in a child care centre; what actually makes a good care centre; the incredible range of different child care centres available; the red flags to be aware of when choosing a child care centre; what to do if there is no availability at the centre you fall in love with; and how Toddle can streamline the process and help you find the perfect place for your child.

Helpful tips to complete your tax return in 2020

Worried about completing your tax return this year with the added complications of the Coronavirus supplements and work from home? We have you covered as Lucy chats to Karen Foat from the ATO to help demystify your tax return and help you with what you need to know to complete it.

Listen to us discuss: How to know if you need to lodge a tax return; the options this year for people needing to lodge a tax return; whether or not to use a tax agent; the tax implications for people who have received JobSeeker or JobKeeper payments; what you need to know if you have been working from home; how Services Australia balancing works with your tax return and what you need to do; and specific advice for single parents if you separated in the last financial year.

Your step-by-step guide to mediation with Relationships Australia

HELP! We're separated and can't agree on anything! Is this you? If so, then listen to Lucy chat with Tara Houseman from Relationships Australia about everything "mediation".

We discuss: The range of services offered by Relationships Australia to help couples going through separation; the family dispute resolution process i.e. what happens and when; eligibility for mediation through Relationships Australia and why it may not be suitable; the many advantages to resolving matters through mediation; and how to prepare for mediation to ensure the process is as effective as possible.

Got a spare room and needs some help? Here’s an idea for you.

Get free home help in exchange for renting out your spare room! It's super easy. I chat with Ludwina Dautovic, Founder of The Room Xchange, which is an online platform that connects busy households with a spare bedroom with guests who provide an agreed amount of help in Xchange for food and accommodation.

We discuss: The process to become a host; how to know if you'd make a good host; how to prepare your home for a guest; the kind of chores your host could do: how to ensure your exchange works and where to get support if needed; and costs involved (it's free for us - listen out for the code!).

The facts and deadlines to be aware of as EOFY19/20 approaches

Hank Jongen, General Manager at Services Australia, provides facts and deadlines to meet our EOFY obligations on-time and in-order.

He talks as through: When and how to confirm your 2018-19 income; how to find out if you need to lodge a tax return; the deadline to make a lump sum FTB claim for the 2018-19 financial year and whether you are eligible; the $750 Economic Support Payment; what to include in adjusted taxable income; balance timings; the $550 Coronavirus supplement; and mutual obligations for people on Job Seekers.

 

 

 

Expert tips to save time and money in the kitchen

4 Ingredients founder, Kim McCosker, is my guest in this podcast to share her magic and knowledge around saving time and money in the kitchen.

We discuss: The wonder of the 4 Ingredients method and why it's so popular; menu planning and other time saving tips; Kim's top money saving tips for the kitchen; the best herbs and spices to fill your cupboards; Kim's absolute favourite recipes from her repertoire of millions; and various other handy tips including how to make cake with champagne and knowing a tasty strawberry when you see one.

How to use time in isolation to get your career back on track

Covid-19 is upon us and the world has paused. What does this mean for you? Like many, you may have lost your job, either temporarily or permanently, and are wondering: 'What now?'. 

In this podcast I get 30-years of expertise from Helen Slater, Founder of 6S Coaching, about: changing your mindset around the pandemic to see it as an opportunity rather than a set-back; enhancing your employment opportunities; the importance of staying connected and working on your confidence; starting the journey of discovery into what to do career-wise if you are feeling lost; and Helen's top tips for using this time to start your own successful business.

Homeschooling: How to get started when you have no idea

Our worst nightmare: Homeschooling is hitting the homes of families across the world. BUT don't panic. I chat with education and curriculum expert, Karen Green from MAPPEN, about how to make homeschooling work and come out the other side still talking to your kids.

We discuss: How to prepare for home learning and what to expect; routines - to have or not to have; how to ditch the guilt around homeschooling; Karen's top tips to make homeschooling work; the biggest misconceptions and no-no's of home learning; and MAPPEN's free content to help parents with home learning during COVID-19.

How to have fun with virtual dating during isolation

Dating just got harder! Yep, social distancing and isolation really hampers your mission to find Mr Right. Or does it? I chat to author, columnist and mother of three, Kerri Sackville about how to have fun with virtual dating. 

We chat and laugh about: The advantages of virtual dating; what a virtual date looks like and how to prepare for one; the big no-no's of virtual dating; the reality of making it work if you're really into your virtual date; and how to prepare for eventually meeting when we are all allowed out again!

The easiest way to give your child a head start in reading

Do you love books, and want your children love them too? I chat to Sara Leman, the co-author of Reading Eggs, about how to make it happen.

Listen to us discuss: What the prerequisites for starting school actually are (you may be surprised); brilliant pre-school literacy activities that are heaps of fun; habits/routines we can create to foster good reading habits at home; the benefits from reading aloud with our kids; why Reading Eggs is so engaging for kids and successful in helping them learn; and the 'set and forget' nature of Reading Eggs which makes it brilliant for busy mums.