Episode 97: Gemma Bird

<p>Gemma Bird&nbsp;@moneymumofficial&nbsp;is a hard working mum of two from Essex who after years of working multiple jobs at the same time, managed&nbsp;to pay off her mortgage, and is now a constant source of money-saving tips and ideas on instagram, and a regular on Lorraine's Saver Squad. She's a fast-talking, determined and positive person, who is also very open about her struggles with anxiety and depression, and I really valued her honesty when we met.</p><br><p>I went to visit Gemma at her home in Essex earlier this year, and she told me how her mum had set her on the saving road from a&nbsp;very young age, often making £20 last the whole of half term by finding free things for the&nbsp;family to do.</p><br><p>Gemma published her first book 'Money Mum Official: Save Yourself Happy' last year, and she shared with me her ideas of how issues around money and debt could be taught at school - even as young as primary age.&nbsp;</p><br><p>Gemma and her husband Adam have two children, Brody and Bronte, who they adore.&nbsp;We talked about the pressures we feel as parents and how to say no to them sometimes.&nbsp;It transpired we were both being pressured into buying the overpriced fashionable drink 'Prime' at the time of our chat!</p><br><p>But on a serious note, for anyone who would like to talk to someone&nbsp;about money problems or getting into debt, Gemma recommends 'Step Change'&nbsp;<a href="http://stepchange.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">stepchange.org</a>&nbsp;and the National Debt Helpline'&nbsp;<a href="http://nationaldebtline.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">nationaldebtline.org</a></p><br><p>Spinning Plates is presented by Sophie Ellis-Bextor, produced by Claire Jones and post-production by Richard Jones</p><br /><hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>