Money Talks: Should I have a running away fund and how much should it be?

Our reader is a mum of three in her forties and worries about financial security for the future

I am 45 years old and a full-time working mum with three young kids. Between work, caring for my kids and looking after the house, I really feel like I am being pulled in all different directions and I am finding it all very stressful. This has left me with very little time to attend to financial issues and I really feel like I might be missing out or that I am putting my family and me at risk by ignoring this area for too long. Please help!

Your situation is so common and as a full-time working mum myself, I completely identify with how difficult it is to keep all those plates spinning and there is little doubt but that the double responsibilities of work and home can be demanding and at times very stressful.