My last post about Vaila going to uni felt reasonably rational and measured, focusing on what her new experience might be like. Today’s post won’t be like that. Because now I’m spiralling into… well, all the feelings: grief, fear, sadness, excitement, nerves.

Now it’s time for me to face the reality of the countdown really being on! As I write this, Vaila is on a visit to the flat she will be moving into, meeting new friends and exploring the city which will soon be her home. Just over five weeks from now (a mere 36 days), James and I will drive our lovely girl to Edinburgh and then drive home without her.

A year ago I was nestled into the corner of a local coffee shop, hot chocolate in hand, earbuds in, laptop open and numerous notebooks by my side. I was preparing to launch my blog, “Otherwise Kate”. I was studying blogging courses, listening to podcasts, and reading books while setting up a website. My reason: to offer solace to people who were living through the same experiences as me and feeling alone in it.

If you’re a parent or carer, you’ve probably had moments where you dream of running away - just for a weekend. Not to escape your family, but to return to yourself. That’s what this trip to Montenegro became for me.

Breaks aren’t a luxury for carers, they’re a necessity. Yet, for many parents and carers, taking a break feels like an impossible dream...

Some people are surprised that I travel more now than I did while I had a job so I thought I’d share exactly how I do it.

I’m not here to give you financial investment advice or tips on stocks and shares. However, if you’re interested in learning about investing in the life you want to live (which inevitably involves managing whatever finances you have) then you’ve come to the right place.

Teenagers already have so much to navigate while trying to protect their mental health. In this post I will share tips for parents on how to support exam preparation with a focus on prioritising mental health.

Have you ever thought that working mums are just selfish?  I’ve just listened to a podcast which states exactly that.

Christmas on a budget might sound daunting but we’ve found that a magical Christmas doesn’t have to break the bank...

I admit it. I’ve been guilty of this in the past. I don’t think I purposefully set out to do and have all the same things as my friends....

Developing a budgeting system has given me the freedom to live a life I love, even with a reduced income.

I replaced the mantra of "I can't afford it" with "How can I afford it?" This transformation ignited a journey towards a life I love.

I think it's important to acknowledge how life changing it can be for a parent as well as the child at the centre of it.

when funds are limited, it can be hard to feel that we have real financial freedom. But learning to be frugal has brought me increased freed

Why I've bid farewell to my teaching career

How I spent 3 days at Lake Como on a budget

How I'm designing my rich life with less money