In this Friday Q&A episode of The Australian Finance Podcast, Gemma Mitchell is joined by James Phelan, Senior Adviser at Rask Advice, to answer the big money questions that tend to come up when a baby is on the way. From planning for income changes to understanding parental leave, childcare costs and shared money dynamics, this episode focuses on practical, real-world decisions new and growing families are navigating right now. If you enjoyed this episode of The Australian Finance Podcast, follow us on Apple, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you listen. Got a parenting & money question for a future Q&A? Submit it here. Topics Covered
- What to expect financially when a baby is on the way
- Creating a cash buffer and planning for one-off baby expenses
- Employer vs government parental leave: how to sequence it
- Navigating Child Care Subsidy and estimating weekly costs
- Understanding childcare waitlists & minimum day policies
- Managing shared money when one partner stops or reduces work
- Avoiding resentment in uneven financial contributions
- Systems that work with low energy, low time, and a new baby
- How to keep control of money in the early parenting fog
