The Mortgage Mum Podcast

Do you feel guilty when you prioritise joy? If it doesn't fall into the category of productivity or making money, does it get relegated in your head? Somewhere between responsibility, motherhood and bills, so many of us stopped making time for the things that light us up. In this episode of M's The Word, Sarah Tucker is joined by Jade, Gemma and Shelley to talk about Muse Medicine — the creative,...

In this episode of On The Ladder, our exclusive series for first-time buyers, we're talking about one of the most overlooked steps in the home-buying process: the survey. It might feel like an extra cost you don't need, but a survey can reveal hidden issues like structural damage, damp, and subsidence before you commit to buying. Skip it, and you could be signing up for expensive surprises down th...

Could your child BUY a home instead of renting at university? In this episode of On the Ladder, we're exploring the Buy for University mortgage from Loughborough Building Society, and it could be a game-changer for students and their families. With tuition fees at £9,535 a year and average student rent now around £563 a month, so many parents are asking: is there a smarter way? A Buy for Universit...

This June, for Men's Mental Health Month, we're doing something different. In our very first guest episode, we were honoured to be joined by Paul Adams of Pepper Money, a man who spoke with extraordinary courage about his personal experience with alcohol dependency and the road to recovery. Ahead of Father's Day, this felt like exactly the conversation we needed to have. Because the reality is, th...

Summer is wonderful, and overwhelming. With children getting around 70 weekdays off school a year and 30 of those falling in the summer alone, working parents face a logistical puzzle that never quite solves itself neatly. In this episode of M's The Word , host Sarah Tucker is joined by Gemma, Jade & Shelley to talk honestly about the planning, the pressure, and the possibilities of the summer hol...

Libsyn Podcast Distribution Description Episode 7b | Interest Rates: The 4 Types You Need to Know Thinking about applying for a mortgage but not sure which rate to choose? In this episode of On The Ladder, host Sarah Tucker and acting senior mortgage adviser Gemma Bennett walk you through the four most common mortgage rate types -  fixed, tracker, discount, and SVR. You'll learn how each rate work...

Getting a mortgage can feel daunting, but lenders are really just looking for one thing, proof that you can afford it now and if life changes. In this episode, we break down exactly what happens when you apply, what lenders are looking at, and the key terms every first-time buyer needs to know before they sit down with a lender. We cover what LTV actually means, why getting a Decision in Principle...

Are the choices we make about our bodies really our own — or are we more influenced than we think? In this episode of Mums the Word, we get into the thoughts behind our choices to do tweaks and touch upon the wider culture driving those decisions. It's an open, honest conversation and we can't wait for you to be a part of it. Gemma opens up about still succumbing to beauty standards set by the pat...

The Renters' Rights Act is now law, but what happens next? In Part 2 of this essential conversation, Sarah Tucker is joined once again by Louisa Sedgwick , Managing Director of Mortgages at Paragon Bank, for a forward-looking discussion on where the Private Rented Sector goes from here. With over 30 years of mortgage industry experience, Louisa shares her honest, expert perspective on the big ques...

Have you ever hit a goal and felt strangely flat? You worked for it, you chased it, you finally got it and then… nothing. Just a quiet "huh."   In this episode of M's the Word, Sarah, Jade and Shelley get honest about the cost of more. What happens when the thing you wanted most does not deliver the feeling you expected? When does the pursuit of more start costing you you?   This is one of those c...

The Renters' Rights Act - What Every Tenant, Landlord and Homebuyer Needs to Know (Part 1) The Renters' Rights Act is now law, and it is the biggest shake-up the private rental sector has seen in over 30 years. Whether you are renting, letting, or trying to buy your first home, this legislation affects you. In this episode of The Mortgage Mum Podcast, host Sarah Tucker, CEO of The Mortgage Mum and...

You've saved your deposit, you've checked your credit score, now the big question: how much can you actually borrow? In this episode of On The Ladder, we break down exactly how mortgage lenders calculate what they'll offer you. Spoiler: it's not just about your salary. From income and outgoings to credit history, deposit size and even your day-to-day spending habits, we walk you through everything...

Getting on the property ladder starts long before you find your dream home — it starts with your credit score. If you've ever taken out a phone contract, car finance, or a store card, you already have a credit profile. But do you actually know what it says about you — and how it could affect your chances of getting a mortgage? In this episode of On The Ladder , award-winning mortgage expert Sarah...

In this episode, we explore the viral claim made by Natalie Dawson on The Diary of a CEO : "You are not a candle, you can't burn out." Sarah, Gemma, Shelley and Jade come together to share their perspectives on burnout, productivity, and the pressures of modern life. This is an open and honest conversation, particularly for women, about the expectation to keep going, the emotional weight of unfini...

Maternity leave is often painted as a dreamy, slow, joy-filled chapter… but the reality can look very different. In this conversation, four mums share the honest truth about maternity leave — from the emotional highs and lows to the financial pressure that so many women aren't prepared for. A recent survey found that 62% of women severely underestimated the financial impact of maternity leave, and...

You've found a house you love… now what? This is the part of the journey that can feel the most exciting, and the most overwhelming. From knowing whether it's really "the one" to making an offer and navigating negotiation, there's a lot to get right. In this episode of On The Ladder , we break down exactly what to do next once you've found a property, including: How to define your non-negotiables...

In this episode of M's The Word , Shelley Shicklehosts to facillate Sarah Tucker, Gemma Bennett and Jade Timson-Proud to talk openly about their experiences of miscarriage and pregnancy loss. Together they share their personal stories, the challenges they faced, and the ways they found support while navigating grief and recovery. The conversation aims to raise awareness, break the silence surround...

They say moving house is one of the most stressful things you will ever do and if you've ever been through it, you'll know exactly why. The paperwork, the waiting, the uncertainty, the endless to-do lists… it can quickly feel overwhelming. We aim to help alleviate some of that stress in this episode. In this episode of M's The Word, we share practical advice for both a first-time buyer and a seaso...

The Hardest Part of Therapy? Realising Disney Isn't Real | M's the Word Romance doesn't usually disappear overnight, it fades slowly, when we stop noticing each other. In this episode of M's the Word, we explore what really happens behind closed doors in long-term relationships. From love languages to emotional disconnection, we dive into the quiet killers of romance and the small, intentional act...

In this episode of M's The Word, we're getting real about money mistakes, the ones we've made, the ones we regret, and the ones we wish we talked about more. Did you know 1 in 3 women say that credit card debt is their biggest financial regret? From credit card creep to the illusion of "free money" with 0% interest offers, we explore how easy it is to overspend, and how hard it can be to break the...

Stamp Duty, confusing, expensive, and often misunderstood. But if you're a first-time buyer in 2025, you might be paying less than you think… or even nothing at all. In this episode of On The Ladder , Sarah Tucker , award-winning mortgage expert, founder of The Mortgage Mum , and regular contributor to This Morning , BBC and The Times , breaks down exactly how Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) works in E...

Worried your deposit isn't enough to buy a home? You're not alone — but a new mortgage solution might help bridge the gap. In this episode of On The Ladder , Sarah Tucker, founder of The Mortgage Mum and mortgage expert on ITV's This Morning, breaks down the Gen H New Build Boost, an innovative equity loan scheme designed to help first-time buyers purchase with just a 5% deposit. Whether you're st...

Welcome to M's The Word – Episode 3 January brings powerful shifts, and in this episode we explore two themes that shape this time of year: marriage and moving on, and manifestation through mood boards. Part 1: Marriage & Moving On January is often a time of reflection and decision-making for couples. We discuss why relationship changes frequently surface at the start of the year and explore the e...

Before you scroll through Rightmove, fall in love with "the one," or even book your first viewing… there's one crucial step every first-time buyer needs - and hardly anyone explains it properly. In this episode of On The Ladder , we're breaking down the Decision in Principle (also known as an Agreement in Principle, Mortgage in Principle, or simply a DIP). This simple document is your very first g...

Can't get a mortgage approved - even though you're paying high rent?  In this episode of On The Ladder , Sarah Tucker breaks down a new mortgage product from Gen H that could be a game-changer for first-time buyers struggling with affordability. It's called a part and part mortgage, and it allows you to buy with just a 5% deposit — while keeping monthly payments lower by putting part of the mortga...