About the Guide
The Parent's Guide to Money helps expectant parents plan their finances at an important stage in life when they face big changes. We have developed and piloted the guide with the help of parents and health professionals. It covers most things they might want to know – such as budgeting, entitlements, the cost of children and childcare, maternity and paternity rights, money worries, savings and work.
Following positive feedback from the pilot in 2007 and distribution trials last year, we are now distributing the guide across the UK. Midwives are handing the guide to expectant parents, it is available at Children's Centres and additional support is provided by a range of health and family services.
Targeting new parents
We want to help new and prospective parents take on the additional financial responsibilities and challenges of parenthood. The cost of bringing up a child to the age of 18 can be well over £150,000. Not surprisingly, becoming a parent is a time when many people are prompted to think about their finances and take actions if they need to: we want to reach them when they are most receptive.
In tests, parents have responded enthusiastically to the guide. We are confident that it can really help reduce some of the financial stress of being a parent. And mums and dads under less stress mean healthier and happier kids.