We all love to spoil our loved ones at Christmas, but it’s easy to spend more than we should. Here are some tips to enjoy Christmas without breaking the bank.
- Budget Early
Christmas can have a big impact on your finances. Buying presents for family and friends, buying food and paying for transport, all on top of your regular bills, can have a big effect on your budget. You can create a budget using this budgeting tool to help you get back on track in the New Year. - Shop Around
It pays to shop around! Try as many places as possible to get the best price. Look online for coupons and discount codes, and if you’re buying online, don’t forget about delivery costs. Be careful not to buy from unauthorised traders – this could end up costing you a lot more in the long run. - Do Your Own Credit Checks
Christmas can have a strain on your finances. Because of this, you may be tempted to sign up for store or credit cards with attractive offers. If you have had to use a credit or store card, you should work out how much you can afford to repay each month, and be aware that interest free cards have very high charges for missing payments. Set up a direct debit for the minimum repayment amount, and pay what you can on top of it each month.
Get in touch
If you’re worried about debt this Christmas, getting in touch is easy. You can find your local office at https://www.gmmap.org.uk/locations/ or fill in the contact form at https://gmmap.org.uk/referral/?q=self-referral