SavvyWoman : Money & Your Children : Child Trust Funds

Getting the best student bank account; what are their interest-free overdraft limits, discounts and perks?

As students in England, Wales and Northern Ireland get their 'A' level results, which student bank account will give you the best deal?

Getting a good deal on school uniforms – how to save money on the cost of a school uniform.

The supermarkets are cutting the cost of school uniforms. Where can you save money?

Finding holiday childcare; childcare for the summer holidays that won’t break the bank.

A report by the Daycare Trust found that many local authorities don’t have enough childcare for the summer holidays. What are your options if you need to work?

Exercise on a budget for the new mum – how to get fit without spending a fortune.

Exercise after you've given birth doesn't have to be expensive as there are plenty of free or low cost options.

Research shows that families with twins or triplets face significant financial struggles. How can you cut costs?

Having one child is expensive, but if you have twins (or triplets) the costs can rise sharply and the UK has no extra support for twin mums.

Most mums would agree that children can be expensive, but there are lots of ways to spend less.

If you have young children, you don't have to spend a fortune; you can be creative while saving money.

Baby on the move; how to save money

Never mind when your child grows up and wants a car, getting wheels for your baby is a costly business.

Saving on the basics for your new baby

When you’re buying for your new baby, you may feel like you need to buy everything at once, but some things can wait.

HM Revenue & Customs is giving people who couldn't get through to the tax credit helpline extra time.

People who missed the July 31st deadline to renew their tax credits are being given an extra 30 days to contact the tax credit helpline.

The start of the summer holidays could mean changes to your tax credit payments.

If your childcare costs rise over the summer you must tell HM Revenue & Customs or you may get the wrong amount of tax credits.

Over 20% of families with disabled children are going without heating, according to a charity.

Contact a family, a charity that helps parents with disabled children, says families are under severe financial pressure.

The Conservative and Lib Dems have said they’re going to cut tax credits and restrict the child trust fund.

The new government wants to target tax credits and the child trust fund. A prudent move or one that will penalise families?

Working tax credit and child tax credit, understanding the basics.

The tax credit system is complicated and that's one reason why some women lose out - make sure you're not one of them.

It costs three times more to raise a disabled child, according to a charity

Many parents with disabled children earn less and borrow more than others, according to the charity Contact a Family. It's raising awareness of the financial problems families can face.

Employing a nanny: how to sort out tax painlessly.

If you employ a nanny, you’re responsible for their tax and National Insurance – and it’s worth sorting it out as soon as you can.

In 2009 Gordon Brown changed his mind about abolishing tax relief on child care vouchers. What could it mean for you?

Tax relief on child care vouchers was due to be abolished from 2011, but now it will stay, although its level will be capped in the future.

A new report recommends that the government doubles its funding for child care.

A national child care charity says parents should be entitled to more free child care and child care workers should be better qualified.

The government is changing the way some nurseries will be funded. Some warn it could mean larger class sizes.

State-run nurseries currently receive funding on the basis of the number of places they have, not the number of children they care for, but that's about to change.

If you look after a friend's children, you don't have to register as a child minder.

Ofsted has been told that informal child care arrangements between friends don’t need to be registered, as long as money doesn’t change hands.

Saving for school fees - a parent's guide.

Paying for your child to go to private school is a major financial commitment and will take some planning - whatever your income.

Is your child learning about money at school? It’s not yet compulsory.

The government has had to drop plans to introduce money lessons from next September. At the moment, it’s down to schools to decide.

Saving money in school years

If you’re dreading the start of the school term because of the costs that go with it, try these money-saving ideas

How to save on student costs

For most students, it's impossible to avoid being thousands of pounds in debt. But it is possible to keep costs down.

Child care options in your home

Child care doesn’t have to mean a nursery or a playgroup – a nanny or au pair may suit you better

The government has announced that child trust funds are to be scrapped.

With neither the Lib Dems nor the Conservatives being fans of child trust funds, their future was always in doubt. Now they're likely to be scrapped from 2011.

Five years after the launch of child trust funds, how have they performed?

Most child trust funds are invested in shares, but around a quarter of parents choose cash. How have they performed?

While 74% of parents who received a child trust fund voucher opened an account, one in four missed out.

The good news is that if you didn’t get round to opening your child’s trust fund before 12-month deadline, which means the government invested the voucher for you, you can always switch to another provider.

Choosing an ethical or Shariah child trust fund

If you don’t want your child’s trust fund to be invested in companies that make weapons or alcohol, you can avoid them.

Making the most of child trust funds

It’s not often you get free money from the government – but choosing a child trust fund can be a challenge

Making sure you don't miss out on benefits

As a parent, you're entitled to a range of benefits and financial help with the cost of your children. Make sure you claim them.

Choosing the right child care for your child and your wallet.

Choosing childcare that fits in with your job, suits your child and is affordable is no mean feat