“MY children love Christmas and they’re already picking extra treats off the shelf when we go shopping and telling what presents they want. I want to make it special for them, but times are tough and I worry about overspending and getting into debt. What can I do?”

Borrowing money or using a credit card to fund Christmas can seem like your only option but there are steps to take to keep spending under control and avoid falling into debt.

First - make a budget and stick to it. Who are you buying gifts for? What other seasonal expenses do you have?

How much can you realistically afford to spend?

Keep receipts or ask for gift receipts in case you have to return something if you overspend. Household bills are likely to be higher too, with colder weather and people spending more time indoors.

If you have built up debt, don’t ignore bills or letters. Speak to the organisation you owe money to as they may let you pay smaller amounts.

Priority bills need to be paid first such as rent, mortgage, council tax and energy bills. For other types of debt like credit cards or loans, look at what you owe, work out a budget and contact your creditors to set up an affordable repayment plan.

This might seem scary but it’s an important first step and a great many people are having to do exactly the same thing.

If you are struggling to afford all the essentials like bills and food, we at Citizens Advice Torridge, North, Mid and West Devon (CA TNMWD) can help in various ways.

A good place to start is by visiting our website: https://www.citizensadvicetnmwd.org.ukwhere there is lots of useful information to help.

You can also see our local office hours and availability for appointments and drop- ins. Or call our free, local AdviceLine on 0808 27 87 999.

A quick benefits check may also show that you can claim additional financial help. You may also qualify for a reduction in council tax or help with energy costs.

Demand for our services is increasing all the time and we need all the help we can get to help people in our community with problems like this.

If you could spare a day a week to join our teams in Torridge, North, Mid and West Devon, do please take the first step and contact: [email protected] more information.

Everyone gets full training and ongoing support, you will make new friends, maybe learn new skills and play a crucial role within our community.

Citizens Advice

Torridge, North, Mid and West Devon