Latest news with #EmmaWatkins
The Advertiser
23-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Advertiser
What happens when teenagers get to decide how to spend the family budget?
In 2025, budgeting is difficult for anyone. Groceries, clothes, activities and housing can all eat away at your pay slip, leaving many wondering where the money went. So what happens when teenagers take over the budget? That question is explored in the new series of ABC's Teenage Boss. The social experiment sees 10 teenagers take control of their family finances. The teenagers are given free rein over the family's spending money, however, costs, like mortgage payments and school fees, are fixed. Now in its fourth season, host and popular children's entertainer Emma Watkins issued the challenge to 10 Tasmanian families, half from the north of the state and half from the south. The show follows them for one month and tracks whether the teenagers have saved money, achieved their saving goal to purchase an item, which they establish at the beginning of the experiment, and what areas the teens struggle with. "It's a show where the parents are quite stressed," Host Emma Watkins said. "Handing over all of that control to their teenagers is a big deal, not just for themselves, but for the other children in the family." Ms Watkins said the teenagers start the show with optimism, hopeful they can take the family on a holiday and buy something they've had their eyes on. "That doesn't tend to happen," Ms Watkins said. "Sometimes the parents feel the need to step in and keep the teens on track. "That's where I come in." The teens are in charge of everything, including leisure activities, petrol, public transport, home maintenance, and garden maintenance. Despite starting out with the best of intentions, reality sets in, and they are forced to make some tough decisions - with one predictable cost getting in the way. "The biggest cost is always food and groceries," Ms Watkins said. "I think it's a funny irony because teens are always hungry." It's the first thing teenagers try to cut out of the budget. "They just cannot believe how much money goes on food, and they feel that because it's so high, it's the easiest to cut," Ms Watkins said. "They quickly realise they need that money back." Another area where the teens struggled was budgeting in the context of day-to-day living. Similar to what happens to many, life sometimes got in the way, making budgeting more difficult than it needed to be. "That's life. There's school, work, and outside activities - it's easy for them to fall off the path," Ms Watkins said. "I don't want to spoil it, but all the teens did a great job." Previous seasons of the show have been filmed on the mainland and focused on the financial and budgetary pressures there. The key concerns and struggles remained the same in Tasmania, except for one aspect. Normally, the teenager will want to organise a family holiday during the show. In the case of the previous season, filmed in Adelaide, South Australia, this was as simple as packing the car and picking a spot on the map. For the Tasmanian teens, getting the wheels moving on a family holiday proved more difficult. "A lot of the teens wanted to take a trip to Melbourne, for example," Ms Watkins said. "Taking into account flights, expenses and Uber - that was quickly brought to their attention once they got to the mainland. "That's something we hadn't seen before." Ultimately, Ms Watkins said the teens did a fantastic job and knew more about budgeting than people think they do. "Teens, and I mean most children, are very aware of the situation," she said. "They might not be aware of the details, but I think children are really observant and most of them were aware that there was a need for the family to save money as a whole and for their own personal goals." Ms Watkins added the standout of the show was the creativity on display and the learning possibilities adults can gain from watching it. "I'm always in awe of their creative thinking, and I think that's something adults can learn from teens," she said. "They definitely thought about their options to save money in more lateral ways than normal." Feedback from the families involved was also positive, with participants labelling the experiment as a valuable experience. "We received so much positive feedback from families about the show," Ms Watkins said. "I think parents and families, as a whole, will really enjoy the show. "We just had the absolute best time." Teenage Boss: Next Level, premieres Friday, July 25 on ABC iview and July 26 on ABC Family. In 2025, budgeting is difficult for anyone. Groceries, clothes, activities and housing can all eat away at your pay slip, leaving many wondering where the money went. So what happens when teenagers take over the budget? That question is explored in the new series of ABC's Teenage Boss. The social experiment sees 10 teenagers take control of their family finances. The teenagers are given free rein over the family's spending money, however, costs, like mortgage payments and school fees, are fixed. Now in its fourth season, host and popular children's entertainer Emma Watkins issued the challenge to 10 Tasmanian families, half from the north of the state and half from the south. The show follows them for one month and tracks whether the teenagers have saved money, achieved their saving goal to purchase an item, which they establish at the beginning of the experiment, and what areas the teens struggle with. "It's a show where the parents are quite stressed," Host Emma Watkins said. "Handing over all of that control to their teenagers is a big deal, not just for themselves, but for the other children in the family." Ms Watkins said the teenagers start the show with optimism, hopeful they can take the family on a holiday and buy something they've had their eyes on. "That doesn't tend to happen," Ms Watkins said. "Sometimes the parents feel the need to step in and keep the teens on track. "That's where I come in." The teens are in charge of everything, including leisure activities, petrol, public transport, home maintenance, and garden maintenance. Despite starting out with the best of intentions, reality sets in, and they are forced to make some tough decisions - with one predictable cost getting in the way. "The biggest cost is always food and groceries," Ms Watkins said. "I think it's a funny irony because teens are always hungry." It's the first thing teenagers try to cut out of the budget. "They just cannot believe how much money goes on food, and they feel that because it's so high, it's the easiest to cut," Ms Watkins said. "They quickly realise they need that money back." Another area where the teens struggled was budgeting in the context of day-to-day living. Similar to what happens to many, life sometimes got in the way, making budgeting more difficult than it needed to be. "That's life. There's school, work, and outside activities - it's easy for them to fall off the path," Ms Watkins said. "I don't want to spoil it, but all the teens did a great job." Previous seasons of the show have been filmed on the mainland and focused on the financial and budgetary pressures there. The key concerns and struggles remained the same in Tasmania, except for one aspect. Normally, the teenager will want to organise a family holiday during the show. In the case of the previous season, filmed in Adelaide, South Australia, this was as simple as packing the car and picking a spot on the map. For the Tasmanian teens, getting the wheels moving on a family holiday proved more difficult. "A lot of the teens wanted to take a trip to Melbourne, for example," Ms Watkins said. "Taking into account flights, expenses and Uber - that was quickly brought to their attention once they got to the mainland. "That's something we hadn't seen before." Ultimately, Ms Watkins said the teens did a fantastic job and knew more about budgeting than people think they do. "Teens, and I mean most children, are very aware of the situation," she said. "They might not be aware of the details, but I think children are really observant and most of them were aware that there was a need for the family to save money as a whole and for their own personal goals." Ms Watkins added the standout of the show was the creativity on display and the learning possibilities adults can gain from watching it. "I'm always in awe of their creative thinking, and I think that's something adults can learn from teens," she said. "They definitely thought about their options to save money in more lateral ways than normal." Feedback from the families involved was also positive, with participants labelling the experiment as a valuable experience. "We received so much positive feedback from families about the show," Ms Watkins said. "I think parents and families, as a whole, will really enjoy the show. "We just had the absolute best time." Teenage Boss: Next Level, premieres Friday, July 25 on ABC iview and July 26 on ABC Family. In 2025, budgeting is difficult for anyone. Groceries, clothes, activities and housing can all eat away at your pay slip, leaving many wondering where the money went. So what happens when teenagers take over the budget? That question is explored in the new series of ABC's Teenage Boss. The social experiment sees 10 teenagers take control of their family finances. The teenagers are given free rein over the family's spending money, however, costs, like mortgage payments and school fees, are fixed. Now in its fourth season, host and popular children's entertainer Emma Watkins issued the challenge to 10 Tasmanian families, half from the north of the state and half from the south. The show follows them for one month and tracks whether the teenagers have saved money, achieved their saving goal to purchase an item, which they establish at the beginning of the experiment, and what areas the teens struggle with. "It's a show where the parents are quite stressed," Host Emma Watkins said. "Handing over all of that control to their teenagers is a big deal, not just for themselves, but for the other children in the family." Ms Watkins said the teenagers start the show with optimism, hopeful they can take the family on a holiday and buy something they've had their eyes on. "That doesn't tend to happen," Ms Watkins said. "Sometimes the parents feel the need to step in and keep the teens on track. "That's where I come in." The teens are in charge of everything, including leisure activities, petrol, public transport, home maintenance, and garden maintenance. Despite starting out with the best of intentions, reality sets in, and they are forced to make some tough decisions - with one predictable cost getting in the way. "The biggest cost is always food and groceries," Ms Watkins said. "I think it's a funny irony because teens are always hungry." It's the first thing teenagers try to cut out of the budget. "They just cannot believe how much money goes on food, and they feel that because it's so high, it's the easiest to cut," Ms Watkins said. "They quickly realise they need that money back." Another area where the teens struggled was budgeting in the context of day-to-day living. Similar to what happens to many, life sometimes got in the way, making budgeting more difficult than it needed to be. "That's life. There's school, work, and outside activities - it's easy for them to fall off the path," Ms Watkins said. "I don't want to spoil it, but all the teens did a great job." Previous seasons of the show have been filmed on the mainland and focused on the financial and budgetary pressures there. The key concerns and struggles remained the same in Tasmania, except for one aspect. Normally, the teenager will want to organise a family holiday during the show. In the case of the previous season, filmed in Adelaide, South Australia, this was as simple as packing the car and picking a spot on the map. For the Tasmanian teens, getting the wheels moving on a family holiday proved more difficult. "A lot of the teens wanted to take a trip to Melbourne, for example," Ms Watkins said. "Taking into account flights, expenses and Uber - that was quickly brought to their attention once they got to the mainland. "That's something we hadn't seen before." Ultimately, Ms Watkins said the teens did a fantastic job and knew more about budgeting than people think they do. "Teens, and I mean most children, are very aware of the situation," she said. "They might not be aware of the details, but I think children are really observant and most of them were aware that there was a need for the family to save money as a whole and for their own personal goals." Ms Watkins added the standout of the show was the creativity on display and the learning possibilities adults can gain from watching it. "I'm always in awe of their creative thinking, and I think that's something adults can learn from teens," she said. "They definitely thought about their options to save money in more lateral ways than normal." Feedback from the families involved was also positive, with participants labelling the experiment as a valuable experience. "We received so much positive feedback from families about the show," Ms Watkins said. "I think parents and families, as a whole, will really enjoy the show. "We just had the absolute best time." Teenage Boss: Next Level, premieres Friday, July 25 on ABC iview and July 26 on ABC Family. In 2025, budgeting is difficult for anyone. Groceries, clothes, activities and housing can all eat away at your pay slip, leaving many wondering where the money went. So what happens when teenagers take over the budget? That question is explored in the new series of ABC's Teenage Boss. The social experiment sees 10 teenagers take control of their family finances. The teenagers are given free rein over the family's spending money, however, costs, like mortgage payments and school fees, are fixed. Now in its fourth season, host and popular children's entertainer Emma Watkins issued the challenge to 10 Tasmanian families, half from the north of the state and half from the south. The show follows them for one month and tracks whether the teenagers have saved money, achieved their saving goal to purchase an item, which they establish at the beginning of the experiment, and what areas the teens struggle with. "It's a show where the parents are quite stressed," Host Emma Watkins said. "Handing over all of that control to their teenagers is a big deal, not just for themselves, but for the other children in the family." Ms Watkins said the teenagers start the show with optimism, hopeful they can take the family on a holiday and buy something they've had their eyes on. "That doesn't tend to happen," Ms Watkins said. "Sometimes the parents feel the need to step in and keep the teens on track. "That's where I come in." The teens are in charge of everything, including leisure activities, petrol, public transport, home maintenance, and garden maintenance. Despite starting out with the best of intentions, reality sets in, and they are forced to make some tough decisions - with one predictable cost getting in the way. "The biggest cost is always food and groceries," Ms Watkins said. "I think it's a funny irony because teens are always hungry." It's the first thing teenagers try to cut out of the budget. "They just cannot believe how much money goes on food, and they feel that because it's so high, it's the easiest to cut," Ms Watkins said. "They quickly realise they need that money back." Another area where the teens struggled was budgeting in the context of day-to-day living. Similar to what happens to many, life sometimes got in the way, making budgeting more difficult than it needed to be. "That's life. There's school, work, and outside activities - it's easy for them to fall off the path," Ms Watkins said. "I don't want to spoil it, but all the teens did a great job." Previous seasons of the show have been filmed on the mainland and focused on the financial and budgetary pressures there. The key concerns and struggles remained the same in Tasmania, except for one aspect. Normally, the teenager will want to organise a family holiday during the show. In the case of the previous season, filmed in Adelaide, South Australia, this was as simple as packing the car and picking a spot on the map. For the Tasmanian teens, getting the wheels moving on a family holiday proved more difficult. "A lot of the teens wanted to take a trip to Melbourne, for example," Ms Watkins said. "Taking into account flights, expenses and Uber - that was quickly brought to their attention once they got to the mainland. "That's something we hadn't seen before." Ultimately, Ms Watkins said the teens did a fantastic job and knew more about budgeting than people think they do. "Teens, and I mean most children, are very aware of the situation," she said. "They might not be aware of the details, but I think children are really observant and most of them were aware that there was a need for the family to save money as a whole and for their own personal goals." Ms Watkins added the standout of the show was the creativity on display and the learning possibilities adults can gain from watching it. "I'm always in awe of their creative thinking, and I think that's something adults can learn from teens," she said. "They definitely thought about their options to save money in more lateral ways than normal." Feedback from the families involved was also positive, with participants labelling the experiment as a valuable experience. "We received so much positive feedback from families about the show," Ms Watkins said. "I think parents and families, as a whole, will really enjoy the show. "We just had the absolute best time." Teenage Boss: Next Level, premieres Friday, July 25 on ABC iview and July 26 on ABC Family.
West Australian
09-07-2025
- Entertainment
- West Australian
Telethon 2025: Emma Memma reunites with Little Telethon Stars ahead of appearance at fundraising weekend
A stellar list of celebrities from across the country will join the Telethon fundraising extravaganza this year. Crowd favourite Emma Memma cannot get enough of Perth as she is set to return to Telethon to put a smile on kids' faces for a third year in a row. Emma Memma — or Emma Watkins as she is known off-stage — reunited with last year's Little Telethon Stars backstage at her Perth show on Monday, sharing her excitement about returning. 'It's pretty exciting to be back and see the Telethon Stars but also to be able to perform with some of the local children here,' she said. 'Telethon holds a very special place in my heart, it's such an incredible and important event, and I can't wait to be back in Perth, singing, dancing and signing with everyone again.' Telethon weekend is always packed with a star-studded lineup, and this year is no exception. Rock favourite Shannon Noll will bring a dose of classic Aussie songs with his anthems including What About Me, Drive, and Lift. 'I'm thrilled to be invited back after performing at the Telethon weekend more than a decade ago,' he said. 'It will be so great to once again be involved in such an incredible celebration and it's all for the kids.' My Kitchen Rules judge Manu Feildel will be joining the lineup, as will AFL legend Shane Crawford, who is willing to return despite being pied in the face at his debut Telethon appearance last year. They'll be joined by The Front Bar's Mick Molloy, bringing his trademark humour and footy banter to the weekend's festivities. A host of beloved Telethon regulars will be there including from Home and Away, Better Homes and Gardens, and The Chase as well as the 7NEWS Perth team. But none of the stars are as popular as Telethon's very own Fat Cat, who is sure to bring more signature moves and laughter to the broadcast in 2025. RAC Arena and the Perth CBD will come alive on October 18 and 19 for Telethon with the funds raised ensuring beneficiaries and children's charities can continue to improve the lives of sick and vulnerable WA kids. The 26-hour broadcast showcasing performances, generous donations and all-around fun will be live on Channel 7 and 7plus. Telethon raised a record $83.3 million last year thanks to the generosity of the West Australian community.
Perth Now
09-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Perth Now
Crowd favourite Wiggle reunites with Little Telethon Stars
A stellar list of celebrities from across the country will join the Telethon fundraising extravaganza this year. Crowd favourite Emma Memma cannot get enough of Perth as she is set to return to Telethon to put a smile on kids' faces for a third year in a row. Emma Memma — or Emma Watkins as she is known off-stage — reunited with last year's Little Telethon Stars backstage at her Perth show on Monday, sharing her excitement about returning. 'It's pretty exciting to be back and see the Telethon Stars but also to be able to perform with some of the local children here,' she said. 'Telethon holds a very special place in my heart, it's such an incredible and important event, and I can't wait to be back in Perth, singing, dancing and signing with everyone again.' Telethon weekend is always packed with a star-studded lineup, and this year is no exception. Rock favourite Shannon Noll will bring a dose of classic Aussie songs with his anthems including What About Me, Drive, and Lift. Emma Memma and Elvin Lam (Elvin Melvin) with Little Telethon Stars. Credit: Ross Swanborough / The West Australian 'I'm thrilled to be invited back after performing at the Telethon weekend more than a decade ago,' he said. 'It will be so great to once again be involved in such an incredible celebration and it's all for the kids.' My Kitchen Rules judge Manu Feildel will be joining the lineup, as will AFL legend Shane Crawford, who is willing to return despite being pied in the face at his debut Telethon appearance last year. They'll be joined by The Front Bar's Mick Molloy, bringing his trademark humour and footy banter to the weekend's festivities. A host of beloved Telethon regulars will be there including from Home and Away, Better Homes and Gardens, and The Chase as well as the 7NEWS Perth team. But none of the stars are as popular as Telethon's very own Fat Cat, who is sure to bring more signature moves and laughter to the broadcast in 2025. RAC Arena and the Perth CBD will come alive on October 18 and 19 for Telethon with the funds raised ensuring beneficiaries and children's charities can continue to improve the lives of sick and vulnerable WA kids. The 26-hour broadcast showcasing performances, generous donations and all-around fun will be live on Channel 7 and 7plus. Telethon raised a record $83.3 million last year thanks to the generosity of the West Australian community.
ABC News
24-06-2025
- Entertainment
- ABC News
Emma Watkins helps Tassie teens take the lead in new Teenage Boss: Next Level
The ABC is thrilled to announce the return of the hit series Teenage Boss: Next Level, premiering Friday 25 July on ABC iview and Saturday 26 July on ABC Family. Beloved host Emma Watkins is back to guide a new group of teens as they take the reins of their family finances for an entire month, managing the budget, making decisions and learning valuable life lessons along the way. This season the series heads to the wild and wonderful landscapes of Tasmania, adding a fresh twist to the much-loved format. From deciding what's for dinner to planning family outings (and maybe even a cheeky splurge), 10 new teens are about to find out what it really takes to run the show. Emma Watkins is back to cheer them on, offer advice and provide the occasional reality check. The teens are not just managing the household budget; they're also saving for their own ambitious goals – from a state-of-the-art drone, to funding a home recording studio or buying their first car. With Emma's guidance they'll face real-life financial challenges teaching both themselves and their parents about money management and independence. Always free and Always entertaining, catch up on Teenage Boss: Next Level on ABC iview now. Production credit: Teenage Boss: Next Level is a McAvoy Media production for the ABC. Principal production investment from the ABC in association with Screen Tasmania. Post, digital and visual effects supported by Screen NSW. Produced by McAvoy Media. Executive Producers John McAvoy, Penny McWhirter. ABC Commissioning Editors Mary-Ellen Mullane, Emma Rigney. We acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the First Australians and Traditional Custodians of the lands where we live, learn and work.
Daily Mail
11-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Natalie Barr and Matt Shirvington mingle with multi millionaires at $3500-a-head Gold Dinner dubbed Australia's answer to the Met Gala
The celebrities were out in force at the Gold Dinner 2025 at Sydney 's Royal Botanic Gardens on Wednesday night. The exclusive, invite-only charity event, dubbed Australia's answer to the Met Gala, raises funds for the for Sydney Children's Hospitals Foundation - and tickets cost an eye-watering $3500. Leading the charge was Natalie Barr who stunned in a sleek black sleeveless gown with a feathered detail at the bust. She added a smattering of dazzling high-end accessories included diamond choker and gold bracelet. From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the DailyMail's new showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. Natalie was accompanied by Sunrise co-star Matt Shirvington who was chic in a well tailored tuxedo. Linda Penn and Kristina Keneally posed together alongside the event's glamorous backdrop. Former Deputy Leader of the Opposition Kristina opted for a pale lilac gown with a sleeveless design and a flared skirt, as well as a ruby and diamond choker. Linda, the CEO of Lowes Menswear, who is worth a cool $400 million,stood out in a glittering silver gown with art deco panels and semi-sheer skirting. Former Wiggles performer Emma Watkins stunned in a retro pink gown with a black and white floral design and a gem and pearl embellished neckline. She wore a matching headband with a gold tiara effect and finished the look with a black and white belt, as well as pale pink patent bow flats. Richard Roxburgh was dapper in a classic tuxedo, with the actor adding a white dress shirt and bowtie. Natalie Conway was glimmering in gold with the singer matching her fitted frock with a thigh high split to her metallic heels. She wore a matching headband with a gold tiara effect and finished the look with a black and white belt, as well as pale pink patent bow flats
