Gemma Bird is a hard working mum of two from Essex who after years of working multiple jobs at the same time, managed to pay off her mortgage, and is now a constant source of money-saving tips and ideas on instagram, and a regular on Lorraine's Saver Squad. She's a fast-talking, determined and positive person, who is also very open about her struggles with anxiety and depression, and I really valued her honesty when we met.

I went to visit Gemma at her home in Essex earlier this year, and she told me how her mum had set her on the saving road from a very young age, often making £20 last the whole of half term by finding free things for the family to do.

Gemma published her first book 'Money Mum Official: Save Yourself Happy' last year, and she shared with me her ideas of how issues around money and debt could be taught at school - even as young as primary age.

Gemma and her husband Adam have two children, Brody and Bronte, who they adore. We talked about the pressures we feel as parents and how to say no to them sometimes. It transpired we were both being pressured into buying the overpriced fashionable drink 'Prime' at the time of our chat!

But on a serious note, for anyone who would like to talk to someone about money problems or getting into debt, Gemma recommends 'Step Change' https://www.stepchange.org/ and the National Debt Helpline' https://nationaldebtline.org/

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