Tips for a budget-friendly Christmas

By planning ahead and setting a budget you can enjoy a magical Christmas that won’t break the bank.

Follow our top tips to enjoy a budget friendly festive season and ensure your rent and other bills still get paid. Remember you’re not alone. We’re all struggling with the rising cost of living crisis, and your friends and family will also be looking for ways to cut down on festive spending.

Make a list of what you want to buy in terms of food, presents and other Christmas spends and then work out what you can afford. Remember to allocate money for your rent and other priority bills. Use a Budget Planner to help organise your Christmas spending

Suggest setting a limit on Christmas presents and you’ll probably find that everyone will agree. Swap token gifts, or better still, make your own. Homemade treats or crafts will mean so much more than anything bought in a shop.

Swap the expense of buying and posting Christmas cards for a simple email, phone call or video call to wish people Happy Christmas in person.

Think about how much food gets wasted at Christmas. Make a list of what you plan to eat and don’t waste money on extras that you don’t need and will probably end up in the bin. Ditch name brands for supermarket own products and you can save a lot on your Christmas grocery shop.

Save on parking and petrol and make use of the 5 for £5 bus offer this December. Until 1 January 2024, up to five people can buy a group ticket on Bluestar and Unilink services, or First Solent’s X5/X4 services within the city and pay just £5 for the entire day with no time restrictions.

Maximise your income

Make sure you’re on the most cost-effective tariff for things like gas, electricity, mobile phone and broadband packages. Shop around to see if you can switch to a better deal.

It’s also worth checking that you’re receiving your full benefit entitlement. Millions of pounds of benefit money go unclaimed each year simply because people aren’t aware they could receive it or don’t know how to claim. It’s quick and easy to check online to see if you are entitled to receive any new or extra payments and if you need a hand making an application simply get in touch with our Welfare Rights and Money Advice Team.

Remember, a magical Christmas doesn’t have to mean spending lots of money – it’s about spending time with family and friends and being thankful for what we have.