Cheap auction listings are tempting, but is buying a property at auction too risky for a first time buyer? In this episode of M's The Word, Sarah Tucker is joined by Shelley, managing director of specialist finance, along with Jade and Gemma to explain how auctions really work and how to avoid the mistakes that catch people out.

We cover:

• What buying a property at auction actually involves
• The biggest mistakes people make
• How to answer listener Eva's question: is auction too risky for a first time buyer?
• The quickfire question: would our panel buy a property at auction?

Whether you are curious about auctions or seriously considering your first bid, this episode will help you understand the process before you commit.

Listen to the full episode and subscribe for new episodes of M's The Word.

Panel:
Sarah Tucker
Shelley, Managing Director, Specialist Finance
Jade
Gemma

This episode is for general information only and does not constitute financial advice. Your property may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on a mortgage or other loan secured on it.

Feeling stuck, scattered or out of touch with what you really want? This week on M's the Word, we're talking about moon rituals.

The moon moves the tides and the oceans, so we're exploring how it might affect us too. Many people follow the moon's cycles as a way to practise gratitude, let go of what no longer serves them, and manifest what they want next.

We talk about which of us follow the moon cycles, what our rituals actually look like, and how we first came across them.

Even if the concept isn't for you, taking time to set intentions and notice what you want to release is a simple practice. It keeps you tuned in to your inner world and aligned with what you truly want.

00:00 – Intro
03:00 – What are your rituals?
08:00 – How did you first hear about moon rituals?
18:00 – Harriet: "Where shall I start?"

M's the Word: Mum Hacks & Mum Guilt

Back-to-school season brings a very specific kind of chaos — and with it, a fresh wave of mum guilt. In this episode of M's the Word, Sarah, Gemma, Shelley and Jade come together for an honest, unfiltered chat about the realities of juggling motherhood and work.

They talk about where mum guilt tends to creep in the most, which part of the back-to-school routine they each find hardest to manage, and whether that guilt ever really fades once you're back at your desk. Plus, they share the practical mum hacks that have actually stood the test of time in their own homes — no fluff, just what works.

Whether you're heading back to the school run this September or navigating the guilt of being a working mum, this episode is a reminder that you're not doing it alone.