It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas, but it may not be a season of joy for those who are struggling to make ends meet this year. Christmas can be an expensive ordeal at the best of times - but many families are currently experiencing the worst of times during this cost of living crisis.
Around half of Britons, who are already plagued with money problems, say that their debt will worsen as a result of Christmas. For those who are struggling to afford the festivities, it can take around four months to recover from Christmas overspending - meaning you may not finish paying for the holidays until April.
However, a new podcast has launched in order to turn a bleak midwinter into festive frugal fun. ‘Christmas on a Budget’, a production from the Manchester Evening News and Laudable, is hosted by money-saving obsessive Karyn Fleeting, aka Miss Thrifty.
In each episode, Karyn is joined by some of the country’s brightest minds and experts on how to celebrate Christmas without breaking the bank. From budgeting to bargains, dinner to days out with the kids, Christmas on a Budget shares practical tips and DIY advice to ensure that the only thing going in the red over the holidays is Rudolf’s nose.
In the first episode, award-winning money blogger Lady Janey tells the podcast that the best Christmas gift you can give your friends and family is honesty. The ‘Queen of Customer Service’ also gives our listeners an extra surprise in their Christmas stockings: the best websites to bag freebies to help relieve the pressure of spending.
Faith Archer, award winning personal finance journalist at Much More With Less, also appears on the podcast to discuss Christmas dinner. The money blogger explains how to make sure that you are not stuffed by the turkey and all the trimmings this Christmas.
New episodes, set to be released this week, will explore budgeting for this year and next Christmas, treats for kids, and dealing with the aftermath of the big day.
