New research has highlighted the scale of financial responsibility carried by mothers in UK households, with many effectively acting as the family’s “chief financial officer”.
The study by Park Christmas Savings, based on responses from nearly 4,000 households, found that more than nine in ten people managing family finances are women. The role includes overseeing day-to-day spending, budgeting for household essentials and planning for longer-term costs.
More than two-thirds of mothers reported spending between six and ten hours each week on financial planning tasks such as budgeting for food, comparing prices and managing household expenses. The findings also suggest that this responsibility often begins before a child is born.
Around 95% of expectant mothers said they take on financial planning during pregnancy, including preparing for major upfront costs such as baby equipment and clothing. Ongoing costs associated with raising children continue to add pressure.
More than half of children now require access to a laptop or tablet for schoolwork, while 83% of mothers said they research and budget for school uniforms months in advance. According to Amy Peebles, a family budgeting expert at Park, the research reflects a high level of forward planning within households.
She said the role involves “forecasting expenses, researching deals, making trade-offs and spreading costs across the year” to manage financial pressure, particularly as the cost of living continues to rise.
The research also found that many families set aside small amounts of money regularly to manage larger expenses throughout the year, reflecting a shift towards more structured, longterm budgeting practices within households.
