Struggling families advised to curb Christmas costs

It could be a lean Christmas for many families in the region as Gore and Districts Budget Advice Service is already extremely busy, co-ordinator Jenny Buchanan says.

Mrs Buchanan said there had been a definite increase in the number of people seeking help from the service.

Many families were struggling, she said.

Mrs Buchanan advised people to work out a budget before going Christmas shopping.

"So you don't overspend," Mrs Buchanan said.

It was a good idea to layby if possible and pay a little off the purchase each week until Christmas, she said.

"Tell your family if you are struggling to pay for presents; most will understand," she said.

She issued a warning about entering into hire-purchase agreements.

"You don't want to be still paying next Christmas for this year's one," she said.

It was unwise to stop paying for essential services like electricity in order to pay for Christmas, as those bills would mount up, she said.

"Remember, if you buy something you will have to pay for it eventually, if not now," she said.

A good hint to stop the financial pressure often experienced at Christmas time was to buy presents throughout the year or open a bank account to save money throughout the year, she said.

Gore-based Salvation Army social worker Tom Banks urged people to spend cautiously at this time of the year.

Unfortunately, presents and Christmas went together, Mr Banks said.

"It's not really that wise to break the bank to get the latest whatever," Mr Banks said.

One way of lessening the financial burden was to bargain with family members to reach an acceptable compromise that would not break the bank, he said.

Gifts did not always have to come with a price tag attached to them.

A family outing could be counted as a gift.

"Just be careful," Mr Banks said.

He urged people not to overcommit or put items on hire purchase or on credit cards.

The Ministry of Consumer Affairs advised people to make presents themselves, set a price limit on presents or give labour-based presents like a voucher for babysitting.