Family finance
Raising a family can have a huge impact on your finances. Household bills, clothes, school and leisure expenses all add up. There are lots of simple ways to make your money go further and help you to save for the future. From household budgeting advice and energy-saving tips to choosing the right savings account and accessing benefit entitlements, National Family Week has carefully selected the best family finance information on the web.
Household budgeting
Planning is the key to making your household budget work, so take a close look at your finances and find out where your money goes. It's not as boring as it sounds and there are some helpful websites that help you to 'spring clean' your finances, step by step.
Benefit entitlements
Incredibly, the average cost of bringing up a child from birth to 21 is £180,000! With that in mind, parents will be glad of every extra pound they can get. Investigate these websites to make sure you're not missing out on any of the benefits you could be entitled to.
Guide to child benefit, tax credits, child care vouchers, child benefit and other grants
Citizens Advice Bureau
This website achieves the impossible! It explains benefits without being boring
Financial Services Authority
Find out about the main financial entitlements from HM Revenue & Customs for mums, dads and little ones: Child Tax Credit, Child Trust Fund, Health in Pregnancy Grant, Child Benefit
Payments for Parents
Helpful finance factsheets for working parents. Topics include benefits and sick pay
Working Families
Money-saving tips
Bargain-hunting has never been more fashionable! Inspired by the credit crunch, websites are offering practical and downright ingenious advice on how to save money on bills, food and other essentials. Regardless of the state of the economy, why spend too much when you don't have to?
Real parents' money-saving tips, drawn from Family & Parenting Institute research
Family & Parenting Institute
Sign up to this site to get some fantastic free samples, coupons and discounts
freeparentstuff.co.uk
Outstanding website giving clear, impartial, money-saving advice on a wide range of issues
Money Basics
Website dedicated to saving you money on anything & everything by finding the best deals to save your family thousands of pounds
Money Saving Expert
Savings
With hefty college fees and the property ladder awaiting young people nowadays, parents are keen to put aside some money for their children's future. With all the different savings products available, how can you decide where to invest your hard-earned money? For impartial information, take a look at these resources.
Everything you need to know about the Child Trust Fund, including an "account chooser" tool
Child Trust Fund
Superb, easy-to-follow guide to savings products, with a "compare savings accounts" tool
Financial Services Authority
Pocket money
Many a family argument has been fought over pocket money! It's worth the aggravation, though. Pocket money teaches children about money and is a first step towards independence.
Foolproof tips on how to handle the pocket money issue, from the UK's parenting charity
Parentline Plus
Save money - go green
Going green isn't just for 'tree-huggers' anymore! By saving energy, cutting waste and recycling, you can help to protect the environment and lower your bills, too. Reducing your carbon footprint by walking and cycling is fun for the whole family and improves your health. With so many ways to be greener, what are you waiting for?
Want to save energy in your home? The Energy Saving Trust has all the information you need
Energy Saving Trust
Having a baby
Babies may be priceless, but they can cost a packet unless you keep an eye on your spending. A bit of forward planning can save you a small fortune. Dip into these great baby budgeting websites. Your wallet will thank you!
First-rate advice on the all the important financial issues relating to child-rearing
Financial Services Authority
Nearly New Sale Finder for quality children's clothes and equipment at wallet-friendly prices
National Childbirth Trust
Our supporters
"National Family Week is the perfect chance for families to make time for each other and have fun while they are doing it."
Esther Rantzen, CBE, Broadcaster, Campaigner and Chair of The Family Commission
"I really hope that National Family Week encourages people to take a moment to realize the importance of the people they have around them."
Amanda Holden, Britain's Got Talent Judge
"I think National Family Week is a great initiative that will encourage families to come together and realise how important every part of the family is."
Sir Terry Wogan, Radio and Television Broadcaster
"I am delighted to welcome National Family Week. It's full of practical ideas, and it will be great to see organisations from all sections of society join together to celebrate family life."
David Cameron, Prime Minister
"I am pleased to endorse National Family Week and its aim of promoting and celebrating family life in Britain."
Gordon Brown, Former Prime Minister
"Encouraging families to get active is a subject very close to my heart, so I am thrilled and delighted to be able to show my support for National Family Week."
Sally Gunnell OBE, Olympic Gold Medalist
"I look forward to taking part in National Family Week and encouraging others to do the same."
Antony Worrall Thompson, Celebrity Chef
