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.

And just like that, we've reached the final step. Exchange & Completion - the moment you've been waiting for!

In this last episode of On The Ladder, our exclusive series for first-time buyers in the UK, I'm joined by the brilliant Gemma Bennett to talk you through exactly what happens at the finish line.

We cover:

- What exchange actually means (and why it's such a big deal)

- What happens between exchange and completion

- What to expect on completion day - funds, keys, and that surreal moment it becomes yours

- The jobs you don't want to forget - buildings insurance, removals & final checks

If you've been with us from episode one, thank you. If you're jumping in here at the end, welcome - go back and watch the full series, we've designed it to hold your hand from saving that deposit right through to getting the keys. You've got this. And we're so proud of you for getting On The Ladder.

🎙️ Out today on M's the Word! 1.8 million homeowners are coming off a fixed rate this year, are you one of them?

In this episode, we dive into everything you need to know about remortgaging in 2026, from timing your move to using your home's equity to your advantage. 🔑

In this episode: Remortgaging in 2026, what's changed? 1.8 million people are coming off fixed rates this year Are clients coming in earlier this year, or still leaving it too late? What does "locking in a rate" actually mean?

How you can extend your home using your mortgage Other smart ways to use your mortgage to help you financially Can you clear debt with your mortgage?

🎯 Case study: Judith's dilemma, her fixed rate ends in 4 months, she's got credit card debt and wants to extend her kitchen. Should she wait for rates to drop?

If you're wondering whether now's the right time to remortgage, this episode will help you get to the right decision for you.

Work-life balance comes with a lot of tabs, and one of the biggest ones is constantly running: meals. "What's for dinner?" - the dreaded end-of-day question can turn into a real source of stress when you're juggling everything else on your plate (pun intended 😉).

But nutrition for us and our families matters too much to skip the conversation. So in this episode of M's The Word, we're talking meal prep: how we plan, what actually works for us, and simple tips to make it a calm, enjoyable part of the week instead of a last-minute scramble.

How to Buy a Home With Just a £3,000 Deposit | Shared Ownership Explained

In this episode, Sarah and Gemma break down shared ownership, one of the most overlooked ways to get on the property ladder with a fraction of the deposit you'd normally need.

Shared ownership lets you buy a portion of a property (anywhere from 10% to 75%), while paying rent on the remaining share to a housing association or developer.

It means a much smaller deposit and a much lower barrier to entry. In this episode you'll learn:

- What shared ownership actually is

- How the percentages and rent work

- A real example: buying 25% of a £250,000 home for just a £3,125 deposit

- Who shared ownership is best suited for

If you've been priced out of buying because of deposit savings, this episode is for you.

You've saved for the deposit. You've got the keys. You're picking out mugs and tea towels in Ikea. But then... the bills start. Curtains. A kettle. Cleaning supplies. The stuff nobody puts on a moving-in checklist, and it can quietly add up to several hundred pounds, right when your budget's already stretched thin.

In this episode of On The Ladder, our exclusive series for first time buyers, I talk through why a "home setup fund" should be part of your budgeting from day on, not an afterthought once you've already moved in.
We cover:

✅ Why the deposit isn't the last big cost

✅ How much to realistically set aside for home essentials

✅ How to avoid relying on credit cards to get settled

✅ Simple ways to start building your setup fund early If you're a first time buyer (or about to be one), this episode could save you a lot of financial stress in those first few weeks in your new home.

🔔 Subscribe for more from On The Ladder, helping first time buyers get on the property ladder with confidence.