money

Christmas shouldn’t be this difficult

December 16, 2014 By Ellen

Little faces lit up with joy, families coming together over good food and laughter and a few days off the treadmill. The most wonderful time of the year. Why then are so many people looking stressed and knackered? Normally calm children are barely making it to bedtime without a fit of sobbing and minutes are […]

Do you pay your kids for exam success?

December 8, 2014 By Ellen

Boy One is sitting his prelims at the moment. He tells me he’s worked hard and feels “enough nervous but not OMG nervous”. We’ve talked about planning his studies and preparing for the tests. Or rather, I’ve talked about it and he’s sighed and rolled his eyes. Then one day, just when I about to […]

The things you should open at Christmas and the things you shouldn’t

December 6, 2014 By Ellen

Oh yes. It’s all about secrets, surprises and unwrapping some delights at this time if year. And that’s the best and the worst of the season. Worst? Yes. Think about it, how often have you ripped open a wrapper only to have your hopes crushed? “What a super jumper! How did you find such an […]

How do you know when you’re happy?

November 4, 2012 By Ellen

Brighter ahead: The view from Chillout Scotland We all want to be happy. Right? Of course we do… but what exactly is happy and how do we know when we’ve got there?Is it about having a nice house, a nice spouse and nice children? It might, but, then again, I know a few people with all […]