With only a few weeks to go it is no surprise that our Christmas anxiety levels are through the roof. At a time when we want to be turning our minds to family and friends it seems that the pressure of paying for Christmas is first and foremost in our minds. For many Australians it has been a really tough year but it seems that the hard yards are still to come with the financial impact of Christmas set to play an overwhelming part well into our New Year.
New research released by the Salvos reveals just how worried we are about Christmas and what many will need to do to get through the holidays and beyond. The new Roy Morgan research commissioned by the Salvos reveals:
• Approximately half a million children under 10 are likely to receive no presents this Christmas.
• 8.4 million Australians (equivalent to 45% of survey respondents) believe „Christmas is a financial nightmare‟.
• 12.2 million Australians (equivalent to 65.3% of survey respondents) know people who will be lonely this Christmas.
• 1.8 million Australians (equivalent to 10.1% of survey respondents) believe Christmas will leave them in worrying debt.
• 2.4 million Australians (equivalent to 13% of survey respondents) are worried about how they will pay for Christmas.
• 611,000 Australians (equivalent to 3.3% of survey respondents) said they would need to sell things to fund Christmas.
• 2.8 million Australians (equivalent to 15.5% of survey respondents) know someone who will need to sell things to meet the cost of Christmas.
You can read more about the findings at:
https://salvos.org.au/about-us/latest-news/media-newsroom/salvation-army-poll-reveals-worried-australians-about-cost-christmas/
4 weeks till Christmas. Just one month.
A Christmas countdown reminder that some of the community and support services around the state will be closed over the Christmas period and will only reopen in the new year.
Registrations for Christmas hampers and toys have already started and distribution will roll out in the coming weeks.
If you are unsure if your local support centre is open check out the "Locations" section of the Affrodable SA app for contact numbers and usual closure dates.
We have been seeing many more ads in the media about payday style loans. Men dressed as cute furry creatures and super hero tights are appearing more and more on free to air TV or been stalking us online as related ads in our internet searches. The more traditional money lenders are also diving into the instant cash conversions in the search for our debt dollar.
Recent information suggests that women are more susceptible and are the fastest growing segment of the pay day loan industry. Not surprisingly the advertising has this group well in their sights. A few months ago the Triple J Hack program with Tom Tilley unravelled this financial tale that with only a few clicks could have you locked into paying off loans for a long time into the future. Is it case of borrower beware or is there a way to save us from our financial selves?
Listen to the program to find out.
http://www.abc.net.au/triplej/programs/hack/hack-monday/7778978
The offer of quick cash to help us get through the holiday season is tempting and with Christmas only weeks away there may be more than one cooked goose on the table this season.
Only five weeks until Christmas but don't panic with your finances.
Christmas is a time when the family budget gets a real work out. Not surprisingly there is always quite a lot of hype and more ads in the media offering quick loans and budget management. Do the math! These loans and schemes can sometimes multiply your problems. If you're struggling to make ends meet you don't have to add to your debt worries over the holidays as many financial help services are available for FREE and if you're after a new family purchase like a fridge or a new car then see the No Interest Loan Scheme (NILS) or low interest schemes schemes (StepUP).
Check out the ABC's Checkout programs view on the debt industry and download the Affordable App for information about these schemes and see what a FREE Financial Counsellor can do for you. 1800 007 007
and have a great Christmas.
Many families have over recent years accessed the benefits of the Schoolkids Bonus made available in January and July. This payment has been phased out from July 2016.
This payment was a welcome relief to assist in meeting the bills that usually arrive after the Christmas spending period. In discussions with many of our Financial Counsellors there seems to be some families who have not made allowance for this change to their expected income and were still anticipating further payments. If you have been previously accessing these payments and will no longer receive this payment you need to consider this in your Christmas planning or budget.
If you were eligible for these payments but did not receive them you need to notify the government. For families this needs to be by the 30 June 2017 and for Students notification needs to be done before 31st December 2016. See the related content below for more information.
Six weeks till Christmas. Time to look forward to the holiday menu. What food do you need to order and what is on special regarding longer life produce or condiments to help make a Christmas feast?
Planning for the holiday menu can help you to keep the Christmas budget in check. Look at what you can purchase now for those longer life items before Christmas rather than hurried spending at the last minute. Buying ingredients in bulk can save you money over time and helps to spread the cost of Christmas over several months. Holiday time sees many types of leftovers, which can be stretched over several days and you should incorporate this in your planning. A good meal with the family is about celebration and sharing, not excess.
For families in need there are several regular local Produce Markets run by the Charities, Churches and good Samaritan organisations that offer free produce to those in need and provide events for those wanting company and a good meal during the festive season. Check out the Affordable SA events page on the App and website for information of these markets and events. Find out where you can register for Christmas hampers and assistance over the Christmas period.
Seven weeks to Christmas. Less than two months. Have you planned for Christmas? How will you stay in budget and maintain the Christmas cheer as well as your finances. Take a look at our Affordable Christmas List for tips to managing Christmas and add in consideration for where you plan to be this Christmas when visiting friends and relatives.
This week is Bushfire Awareness Week in South Australia. Christmas and the holidays is a time when we are at risk of Bushfires across the state. What will you be doing over the Holidays? Where will you be? Should you prepare a plan for such an emergency if you are visiting friends and relatives in areas of higher bushfire risk? Do they have an action plan? Visit the CFS website for more information in staying safe over Christmas. http://www.cfs.sa.gov.au/site/home.jsp
If you or a friend struggle to make financial ends meet there is help. Speak with a financial Counsellor for free and get some control on your finances.
The Financial Counselling helpline can be contacted on 1800 007 007
9.30-8pm Monday to Thursday and 9.30 – 4.30pm on Fridays.
Why are they leaping?
It's less than 10 weeks to Christmas and they have got wind of a good bargain at the local Op Shop.
Its Anti Poverty week and most Op Shops around the state have prices marked down as much as 50%.
Make like a lord and leap into your local Op Shop for that reborn Christmas outfit or that special secret Santa gift.
Crazy prices are all part of Anti Poverty Week.
Anti-Poverty Week is a week where all Australians are encouraged to organise or take part in an activity aiming to highlight or overcome issues of poverty and hardship here in Australia or overseas.
Across the country community groups and organisations have created a rich and diverse program of events and activities to help focus our attention of the plight of those affected by poverty.
You can catch up with a full listing of what’s happening in your area by going to the Anti-Poverty website linked below.
Anti Poverty Week was established in Australia as an expansion of the UN's annual International Anti-Poverty Day on October 17.