Hello Wentyl,

Times like this call for tough decisions: how much petrol should we put in the car? Do we really need pricey Thai takeaway, or will bargain basement pizza do? Where are those unspent Westfield vouchers from my last birthday???

While I’m not quite at the point where I’m feeling down the back of the couch for loose change (I remember those days well from being a cash-strapped student), there’s no doubt many of us are starting to struggle financially.

That’s why our big feature this week focuses on areas around the nation with top-quality schools but affordable real estate. 

Data company SchoolRank.com.au crunched the numbers for us and identified 1500 areas containing what they term “hidden gem” schools.

Ranging from Burnie to Bundaberg, Esperance to Armidale, and everywhere in between, these areas have a median house price of $600,000. This is $710,000 less than the median house price in equivalent-performing non-gem suburbs, which is $1.31m.

Check out the hidden gems in your state here and start planning a tree change that won’t break the bank.

Forget going home to relax – mum of triplets Silje Andersen-Cooke says it's "like running a childcare". She explains how wrangling her kids brings triple the headaches, but also triple the joy ... and the video of their household routine is adorable! STORY & VIDEO

Many of you will have spent this week looking after kids or grandkids on school holidays, and we’ve got some terrific stories about social media to help guide you. 

Therapist Lisa Taylor offers some advice on how to cope with all those picture-perfect portraits of other families on your Facebook feed as your kids have their eighth meltdown of the day, while Darcy Fitzgerald looks at the hidden pitfalls associated with those cute but addictive apps the kids love so much. Yes, Bluey, that includes you! 

We also look at reasonable adjustments workplaces need to make to get the best out of neurodivergent workers, reveal the "dark moment" that made a builder dad recognise and stop the damaging attitudes he'd inherited from his father, and look at simple but lasting ways fathers can boost the self-esteem of their daughters.

Have a safe and happy weekend!