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Daily Mirror
10-07-2025
- Business
- Daily Mirror
'Act now' warning to anyone on benefits after DWP rule changes approved
Personal finance and debt experts have explained exactly what steps you need to take A personal finance expert has shared her advice for households which may be impacted by the government's proposed welfare reforms. While the government has softened some of its proposed welfare reforms, new claimants of sickness-related benefits remain at risk of receiving less support at a time when many are already struggling. According to the latest data from the ONS, nearly half (47%) of disabled people say they are finding it difficult to afford their energy bills, housing costs or other essentials, compared to just 29% of non-disabled people. The shift comes as part of the Universal Credit and Personal Independence Bill introduced in March, which aims to reduce spending and reshape support in response to changing demographics and rising welfare costs, expected to hit £70 billion a year by the end of the current parliament. Maxine McCreadie, a personal finance expert at UK Debt Expert, said: 'When support is reduced, it's not just numbers on a page, it's people making impossible choices between heating, eating, or paying the rent. For those already living with long-term health conditions or disabilities, even a small cut to their income can have a huge impact.' Although the most significant changes to Personal Independence Payments (PIP) won't take effect until 2026, the government's plans have already sparked anxiety among those living with long-term health conditions. Currently, one in ten working-age people in the UK claims a sickness or disability benefit. If you think you might be impacted, or you're already worried about making ends meet, Maxine has shared five practical ways you could protect your finances: Understand what's changing"Universal Credit is complex, and changes to sickness-related elements won't impact everyone in the same way. At the moment, the cut is due to affect new claimants, but it's still wise to check how this might apply to you, especially if your health situation or eligibility status is likely to change. "Don't rely on social media hearsay or second-hand advice. Your local council welfare team can provide free, up-to-date guidance specific to your circumstances." Review your budget now"If there's a chance your income might drop, acting early can help you avoid panic later. Start by listing all your regular outgoings, from rent or mortgage payments and energy bills, to subscriptions, groceries and transport. Are there non-essentials you can pause or downgrade temporarily?' 'Small changes, like switching supermarkets or cancelling unused services, can create more breathing room. This doesn't have to be permanent, but it's about building a buffer and giving yourself more control.' Prioritise your payments"When money is tight, not all bills are equal. Some payments carry more serious consequences if you fall behind - like your rent, mortgage, council tax, or energy bills. These are called 'priority debts' and should always be dealt with first. 'If you're struggling to pay, contact your provider or landlord early, they may be able to set up a payment plan or offer breathing space. Don't ignore warning letters, even if they feel overwhelming, facing things head-on is always better than letting debt escalate.' Check for other support"Even if your main benefit is reduced, you might qualify for other forms of help. Local authorities often offer discretionary housing payments, council tax support or crisis funds, and there may be additional grants available depending on your circumstances, such as disability-related costs or carer responsibilities. 'Use benefit calculators to make sure you're not missing anything. You can also contact your local authority or a welfare rights adviser to help you navigate what's available.' Get debt advice early"If you're using credit to cover essentials, or just feeling anxious about how you'll cope, it's never too early to get help. Free debt advice services can help you understand your options and create a plan. 'They'll never judge, and they're there to help you get back on your feet - whether that means budgeting support, negotiating with creditors, or looking at debt solutions if needed.' Maxine adds: 'The good news is that help is out there. Acting early, before things reach crisis point, gives you the best chance of staying afloat. Whether it's checking what you're entitled to, reshuffling your budget, or speaking to a free debt adviser, there are practical steps you can take today that might just stop tomorrow from feeling unmanageable.'
Western Telegraph
04-07-2025
- Business
- Western Telegraph
How to cut your childcare bill as nursery fees top £1,000
Data from UK Debt Expert reveals families are now spending more than ever on childcare - with London parents paying as much as £1,431.96 a month. For lower-income households, a single day of childcare can cost over seven hours of work, meaning many are essentially paying to work. Even in less expensive areas like the North East, parents are still looking at around £945.50 per month for childcare. For information see the link below 📷 For information on how to book Kids Clubs & Wraparound Care please use this link - — Early Learning and Childcare PKC (@elc_pkc) July 1, 2025 The financial reality is pushing many parents, particularly mothers, to their limits – and for single parents, the situation is even more extreme. When other living expenses are factored in, the financial picture becomes even more daunting. For a family of four: In London, estimated monthly expenditure (excluding rent) is £3,213. In Manchester, these costs amount to £2,517.60. Even in a more affordable city like Leicester, families are looking at £2,228.50 per month. Add to this the average monthly mortgage repayments, which range from £1,565 in Manchester to £2,227 in Bristol for a semi-detached house, and it's clear why many couples are delaying or deciding against having children. While both parents feel the financial strain, it's women who often bear the brunt of the career impact. Women are more likely to take extended time off work or reduce their hours to care for children, leading to what's often referred to as the "motherhood penalty" in their career progression and earning potential. If you pay for childcare, whether just for the summer or all year round, watch this quick video briefing on the help that's available. Huge numbers are missing out. Courtesy of ITV The Martin Lewis Money Show, watch the full summer special back at — Martin Lewis (@MartinSLewis) May 23, 2025 In fact, research from the Institute for Fiscal Studies shows that by the time a woman's first child turns 12, her hourly wage is typically 33% lower than that of a man. Maxine McCreadie, a personal finance expert at UK Debt Expert, says: "The data paints an even more worrying picture for single parents, who are often facing the brunt of the financial burden. "Unlike co-parents, single parents don't have the luxury of splitting costs, meaning they are often forced to take on the full financial load for housing, childcare, and everyday living expenses. With 9 out of 10 single parents being women, it's no wonder more women are deciding not to have children, and it's essential that more support is provided, particularly as these families are more vulnerable to falling into debt." Further data from UK Debt Expert highlighted that for parents earning £16,000 per year, a single day of childcare requires over seven hours of work, compared to just 3.3 hours for someone earning the national average of £2,397 a month. This stark disparity highlights the heavier burden on lower-income parents, who must juggle childcare expenses with other essential costs, often leaving little time or money for social activities. Read Martin Lewis's open letter to the new Chancellor to fix unfair systems... on Child Benefit, Carer's Allowance, LISA fines, Tax-Free Childcare and morehttps:// — MoneySavingExpert (@MoneySavingExp) July 24, 2024 Maxine explains: "The high cost of childcare not only limits a parent's financial flexibility but also their ability to maintain a social life. For lower-income families, the pressure to prioritise work and childcare leaves little room for social engagement, which can lead to feelings of isolation, especially for single parents or those in lower-paid jobs." Five ways to save money on childcare bills Start saving early: If possible, begin setting aside money for childcare costs before your child is born. Research all available benefits: Ensure you're claiming all the government support you're entitled to, such as child benefit and tax-free childcare. Consider flexible working options: Discuss flexible hours or remote work possibilities with your employer to potentially reduce childcare costs. Look into childcare alternatives: Explore options like childminding or nanny-sharing, which can be more cost-effective than traditional nurseries. Create a budget for baby essentials: Plan and prioritise spending on necessary items, and consider buying second-hand or borrowing from friends and family to cut costs. Education Secretary urges Brits to consider having more children and have them sooner This comes as Bridget Phillipson has called on Brits to consider having more children and have them sooner, warning of the 'worrying repercussions' posed by a decline in birth rates. The Education Secretary told the Daily Telegraph falling birth rates were not only a concerning trend but one which 'tells a story, heartbreakingly, about the dashed dreams of many families'. Official data from the Office for National Statistics shows fertility rates in England and Wales dropped to 1.44 children per woman in 2023, the lowest level since records began in 1938. Ms Phillipson said people were scared off having children due to the high costs, and wanted 'more young people to have children, if they so choose'. 'A generation of young people have been thinking twice about starting a family, worried not only about rising mortgage and rent repayments, wary not only of the price of fuel and food but also put off by a childcare system simultaneously lacking in places and ruinously expensive,' she said. Ms Phillipson's comments come months after she told the Daily Mail young women had been given added 'freedom' to have more children by expanded government-funded childcare. For information see the link below 📷 For information on how to book Kids Clubs & Wraparound Care please use this link - — Early Learning and Childcare PKC (@elc_pkc) July 1, 2025 Since May, working parents of children who turn nine months old before September 1 have been able to apply to access up to 30 hours of free childcare per week, until their child is old enough to start school. 'They will be able to make choices about the career that's right for them, the hours that they want, but also [have] the freedom to think about family size and how many children they want to have, with support from the Government around childcare hours,' she said in May. Recommended reading: The expansion of funded childcare began being rolled out in England in April last year for working parents of two-year-olds. Working parents of children older than nine months are currently able to access 15 hours of funded childcare a week, before the full rollout of 30 hours a week to all eligible families in September. The Labour Government announced that up to 4,000 childcare places are set to be rolled out at new or expanded school-based nurseries in England from September.
Glasgow Times
03-07-2025
- Business
- Glasgow Times
How to cut your childcare bill as nursery fees top £1,000
Data from UK Debt Expert reveals families are now spending more than ever on childcare - with London parents paying as much as £1,431.96 a month. For lower-income households, a single day of childcare can cost over seven hours of work, meaning many are essentially paying to work. Even in less expensive areas like the North East, parents are still looking at around £945.50 per month for childcare. For information see the link below 📷 For information on how to book Kids Clubs & Wraparound Care please use this link - — Early Learning and Childcare PKC (@elc_pkc) July 1, 2025 The financial reality is pushing many parents, particularly mothers, to their limits – and for single parents, the situation is even more extreme. When other living expenses are factored in, the financial picture becomes even more daunting. For a family of four: In London, estimated monthly expenditure (excluding rent) is £3,213. In Manchester, these costs amount to £2,517.60. Even in a more affordable city like Leicester, families are looking at £2,228.50 per month. Add to this the average monthly mortgage repayments, which range from £1,565 in Manchester to £2,227 in Bristol for a semi-detached house, and it's clear why many couples are delaying or deciding against having children. While both parents feel the financial strain, it's women who often bear the brunt of the career impact. Women are more likely to take extended time off work or reduce their hours to care for children, leading to what's often referred to as the "motherhood penalty" in their career progression and earning potential. If you pay for childcare, whether just for the summer or all year round, watch this quick video briefing on the help that's available. Huge numbers are missing out. Courtesy of ITV The Martin Lewis Money Show, watch the full summer special back at — Martin Lewis (@MartinSLewis) May 23, 2025 In fact, research from the Institute for Fiscal Studies shows that by the time a woman's first child turns 12, her hourly wage is typically 33% lower than that of a man. Maxine McCreadie, a personal finance expert at UK Debt Expert, says: "The data paints an even more worrying picture for single parents, who are often facing the brunt of the financial burden. "Unlike co-parents, single parents don't have the luxury of splitting costs, meaning they are often forced to take on the full financial load for housing, childcare, and everyday living expenses. With 9 out of 10 single parents being women, it's no wonder more women are deciding not to have children, and it's essential that more support is provided, particularly as these families are more vulnerable to falling into debt." Further data from UK Debt Expert highlighted that for parents earning £16,000 per year, a single day of childcare requires over seven hours of work, compared to just 3.3 hours for someone earning the national average of £2,397 a month. This stark disparity highlights the heavier burden on lower-income parents, who must juggle childcare expenses with other essential costs, often leaving little time or money for social activities. Read Martin Lewis's open letter to the new Chancellor to fix unfair systems... on Child Benefit, Carer's Allowance, LISA fines, Tax-Free Childcare and morehttps:// — MoneySavingExpert (@MoneySavingExp) July 24, 2024 Maxine explains: "The high cost of childcare not only limits a parent's financial flexibility but also their ability to maintain a social life. For lower-income families, the pressure to prioritise work and childcare leaves little room for social engagement, which can lead to feelings of isolation, especially for single parents or those in lower-paid jobs." Five ways to save money on childcare bills Start saving early: If possible, begin setting aside money for childcare costs before your child is born. Research all available benefits: Ensure you're claiming all the government support you're entitled to, such as child benefit and tax-free childcare. Consider flexible working options: Discuss flexible hours or remote work possibilities with your employer to potentially reduce childcare costs. Look into childcare alternatives: Explore options like childminding or nanny-sharing, which can be more cost-effective than traditional nurseries. Create a budget for baby essentials: Plan and prioritise spending on necessary items, and consider buying second-hand or borrowing from friends and family to cut costs. Education Secretary urges Brits to consider having more children and have them sooner This comes as Bridget Phillipson has called on Brits to consider having more children and have them sooner, warning of the 'worrying repercussions' posed by a decline in birth rates. The Education Secretary told the Daily Telegraph falling birth rates were not only a concerning trend but one which 'tells a story, heartbreakingly, about the dashed dreams of many families'. Official data from the Office for National Statistics shows fertility rates in England and Wales dropped to 1.44 children per woman in 2023, the lowest level since records began in 1938. Ms Phillipson said people were scared off having children due to the high costs, and wanted 'more young people to have children, if they so choose'. 'A generation of young people have been thinking twice about starting a family, worried not only about rising mortgage and rent repayments, wary not only of the price of fuel and food but also put off by a childcare system simultaneously lacking in places and ruinously expensive,' she said. Ms Phillipson's comments come months after she told the Daily Mail young women had been given added 'freedom' to have more children by expanded government-funded childcare. For information see the link below 📷 For information on how to book Kids Clubs & Wraparound Care please use this link - — Early Learning and Childcare PKC (@elc_pkc) July 1, 2025 Since May, working parents of children who turn nine months old before September 1 have been able to apply to access up to 30 hours of free childcare per week, until their child is old enough to start school. 'They will be able to make choices about the career that's right for them, the hours that they want, but also [have] the freedom to think about family size and how many children they want to have, with support from the Government around childcare hours,' she said in May. Recommended reading: The expansion of funded childcare began being rolled out in England in April last year for working parents of two-year-olds. Working parents of children older than nine months are currently able to access 15 hours of funded childcare a week, before the full rollout of 30 hours a week to all eligible families in September. The Labour Government announced that up to 4,000 childcare places are set to be rolled out at new or expanded school-based nurseries in England from September.
South Wales Guardian
02-07-2025
- Business
- South Wales Guardian
How to cut your childcare bill as nursery fees top £1,000
Data from UK Debt Expert reveals families are now spending more than ever on childcare - with London parents paying as much as £1,431.96 a month. For lower-income households, a single day of childcare can cost over seven hours of work, meaning many are essentially paying to work. Even in less expensive areas like the North East, parents are still looking at around £945.50 per month for childcare. For information see the link below 📷 For information on how to book Kids Clubs & Wraparound Care please use this link - The financial reality is pushing many parents, particularly mothers, to their limits – and for single parents, the situation is even more extreme. When other living expenses are factored in, the financial picture becomes even more daunting. For a family of four: Add to this the average monthly mortgage repayments, which range from £1,565 in Manchester to £2,227 in Bristol for a semi-detached house, and it's clear why many couples are delaying or deciding against having children. While both parents feel the financial strain, it's women who often bear the brunt of the career impact. Women are more likely to take extended time off work or reduce their hours to care for children, leading to what's often referred to as the "motherhood penalty" in their career progression and earning potential. If you pay for childcare, whether just for the summer or all year round, watch this quick video briefing on the help that's available. Huge numbers are missing out. Courtesy of ITV The Martin Lewis Money Show, watch the full summer special back at In fact, research from the Institute for Fiscal Studies shows that by the time a woman's first child turns 12, her hourly wage is typically 33% lower than that of a man. Maxine McCreadie, a personal finance expert at UK Debt Expert, says: "The data paints an even more worrying picture for single parents, who are often facing the brunt of the financial burden. "Unlike co-parents, single parents don't have the luxury of splitting costs, meaning they are often forced to take on the full financial load for housing, childcare, and everyday living expenses. With 9 out of 10 single parents being women, it's no wonder more women are deciding not to have children, and it's essential that more support is provided, particularly as these families are more vulnerable to falling into debt." Further data from UK Debt Expert highlighted that for parents earning £16,000 per year, a single day of childcare requires over seven hours of work, compared to just 3.3 hours for someone earning the national average of £2,397 a month. This stark disparity highlights the heavier burden on lower-income parents, who must juggle childcare expenses with other essential costs, often leaving little time or money for social activities. Read Martin Lewis's open letter to the new Chancellor to fix unfair systems... on Child Benefit, Carer's Allowance, LISA fines, Tax-Free Childcare and morehttps:// Maxine explains: "The high cost of childcare not only limits a parent's financial flexibility but also their ability to maintain a social life. For lower-income families, the pressure to prioritise work and childcare leaves little room for social engagement, which can lead to feelings of isolation, especially for single parents or those in lower-paid jobs." This comes as Bridget Phillipson has called on Brits to consider having more children and have them sooner, warning of the 'worrying repercussions' posed by a decline in birth rates. The Education Secretary told the Daily Telegraph falling birth rates were not only a concerning trend but one which 'tells a story, heartbreakingly, about the dashed dreams of many families'. Official data from the Office for National Statistics shows fertility rates in England and Wales dropped to 1.44 children per woman in 2023, the lowest level since records began in 1938. Ms Phillipson said people were scared off having children due to the high costs, and wanted 'more young people to have children, if they so choose'. 'A generation of young people have been thinking twice about starting a family, worried not only about rising mortgage and rent repayments, wary not only of the price of fuel and food but also put off by a childcare system simultaneously lacking in places and ruinously expensive,' she said. Ms Phillipson's comments come months after she told the Daily Mail young women had been given added 'freedom' to have more children by expanded government-funded childcare. For information see the link below 📷 For information on how to book Kids Clubs & Wraparound Care please use this link - Since May, working parents of children who turn nine months old before September 1 have been able to apply to access up to 30 hours of free childcare per week, until their child is old enough to start school. 'They will be able to make choices about the career that's right for them, the hours that they want, but also [have] the freedom to think about family size and how many children they want to have, with support from the Government around childcare hours,' she said in May. Recommended reading: The expansion of funded childcare began being rolled out in England in April last year for working parents of two-year-olds. Working parents of children older than nine months are currently able to access 15 hours of funded childcare a week, before the full rollout of 30 hours a week to all eligible families in September. The Labour Government announced that up to 4,000 childcare places are set to be rolled out at new or expanded school-based nurseries in England from September.
Metro
28-06-2025
- Business
- Metro
We're halfway to Christmas — start this savings challenge now to put away £2,850
The UK is currently enjoying a glorious heatwave so, understandably, the last thing anyone wants to think about is Christmas. But hear us out. As of right now, we're over halfway through the year, with 180 sleeps until the big day. While that may seem like light years away as you slap on the sunscreen and hit the pub beer gardens, it'll come around sooner than you think. This means the dreaded yearly panic will too — when you realise you haven't bought any of your loved ones' presents yet, nor do you have any disposable cash to do so. So, in the spirit of Christmas, and to make the stressful parts of the festive season easier, we thought we'd give you a financial helping hand in the form of a 150-day savings challenge. It's exactly what it says on the tin really: you save a slightly higher amount of money each day for 150 days, bringing you to up to the festive shopping season (just before the Black Friday sales, in fact) with a healthy few pounds in your back pocket. Maxine McCreadie, personal finance expert at UK Debt Expert, can't recommend starting to save early enough, commenting: 'It's easy for the huge costs associated with festivities to creep up on you, so planning ahead can make all the difference.' Before you begin the challenge, Maxine recommends working out how much you typically spend on presents, food, travel, and events. Then, divide it by the number of weeks until December. 'Saving even a little each week helps avoid the last-minute financial squeeze,' she adds. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video If you're feeling anxious about saving money each day, the first thing to do is find a vessel for your cash, or set up a separate account if you prefer to keep things digital. Certain banks also allow you to automate deposits (such as Monzo's Pots feature), which is particularly useful for those who struggle to stick to a plan due to sheer forgetfulness. Once you've sorted where your money is going to go, look at your finances and see how much you can afford. This challenge sees what you put away increasing by a set daily increment, but you can choose what that looks like for you. For example, if you wanted to start with 50p and increase the amount by 50p each day, it would leave you with over £5,660 in the bank by December. That said, towards the end, you'd be putting away £75 a day, which isn't doable for many. So, for the sake of this article, we're going to increase the amount daily by 25p. See the table below for an example of how much you need to save each day, plus the amount you'll have at the end. If you started tomorrow, going up in increments of 25p, this is what your savings schedule would look like… June 29: £0.25 £0.25 June 30: £0.50 £0.50 July 1: £0.75 £0.75 July 2: £1 £1 July 3: £1.25 £1.25 July 4: £1.50 £1.50 July 5: £1.75 £1.75 July 6: £2 £2 July 7: £2.25 £2.25 July 8: £2.50 £2.50 July 9: £2.75 £2.75 July 10: £3 £3 July 11: £3.25 £3.25 July 12: £3.50 £3.50 July 13: £3.75 £3.75 July 14: £4 £4 July 15: £4.25 £4.25 July 16: £4.50 £4.50 July 17: £4.75 £4.75 July 18: £5 £5 July 19: £5.25 £5.25 July 20: £5.50 £5.50 July 21: £5.75 £5.75 July 22: £6 £6 July 23: £6.25 £6.25 July 24: £6.50 £6.50 July 25: £6.75 £6.75 July 26: £7 £7 July 27: £7.25 £7.25 July 28: £7.50 £7.50 July 29: £7.75 £7.75 July 30: £8 £8 July 31: £8.25 £8.25 August 1: £8.50 £8.50 August 2: £8.75 £8.75 August 3: £9 £9 August 4: £9.25 £9.25 August 5: £9.50 £9.50 August 6: £9.75 £9.75 August 7: £10 £10 August 8: £10.25 £10.25 August 9: £10.50 £10.50 August 10: £10.75 £10.75 August 11: £11 £11 August 12: £11.25 £11.25 August 13: £11.50 £11.50 August 14: £11.75 £11.75 August 15: £12 £12 August 16: £12.25 £12.25 August 17: £12.50 £12.50 August 18: £12.75 £12.75 August 19: £13 £13 August 20: £13.25 £13.25 August 21: £13.50 £13.50 August 22: £13.75 £13.75 August 23: £14 £14 August 24: £14.25 £14.25 August 25: £14.50 £14.50 August 26: £14.75 £14.75 August 27: £15 £15 August 28: £15.25 £15.25 August 29: £15.50 £15.50 August 30: £15.75 £15.75 August 31: £16 £16 September 1: £16.25 £16.25 September 2: £16.50 £16.50 September 3: £16.75 £16.75 September 4: £17 £17 September 5: £17.25 £17.25 September 6: £17.50 £17.50 September 7: £17.75 £17.75 September 8: £18 £18 September 9: £18.25 £18.25 September 10: £18.50 £18.50 September 11: £18.75 £18.75 September 12: £19 £19 September 13: £19.25 £19.25 September 14: £19.50 £19.50 September 15: £19.75 £19.75 September 16: £20 £20 September 17: £20.25 £20.25 September 18: £20.50 £20.50 September 19: £20.75 £20.75 September 20: £21 £21 September 21: £21.25 £21.25 September 22: £21.50 £21.50 September 23: £21.75 £21.75 September 24: £22 £22 September 25: £22.25 £22.25 September 26: £22.50 £22.50 September 27: £22.75 £22.75 September 28: £23 £23 September 29: £23.25 £23.25 September 30: £23.50 £23.50 October 1: £23.75 £23.75 October 2: £24 £24 October 3: £24.25 £24.25 October 4: £24.50 £24.50 October 5: £24.75 £24.75 October 6: £25 £25 October 7: £25.25 £25.25 October 8: £25.50 £25.50 October 9: £25.75 £25.75 October 10: £26 £26 October 11: £26.25 £26.25 October 12: £26.50 £26.50 October 13: £26.75 £26.75 October 14: £27 £27 October 15: £27.25 £27.25 October 16: £27.50 £27.50 October 17: £27.75 £27.75 October 18: £28 £28 October 19: £28.25 £28.25 October 20: £28.50 £28.50 October 21: £28.75 £28.75 October 22: £29 £29 October 23: £29.25 £29.25 October 24: £29.50 £29.50 October 25: £29.75 £29.75 October 26: £30 £30 October 27: £30.25 £30.25 October 28: £30.50 £30.50 October 29: £30.75 £30.75 October 30: £31 £31 October 31: £31.25 £31.25 November 1: £31.50 £31.50 November 2: £31.75 £31.75 November 3: £32 £32 November 4: £32.25 £32.25 November 5: £32.50 £32.50 November 6: £32.75 £32.75 November 7: £33 £33 November 8: £33.25 £33.25 November 9: £33.50 £33.50 November 10: £33.75 £33.75 November 11: £34 £34 November 12: £34.25 £34.25 November 13: £34.50 £34.50 November 14: £34.75 £34.75 November 15: £35 £35 November 16: £35.25 £35.25 November 17: £35.50 £35.50 November 18: £35.75 £35.75 November 19: £36 £36 November 20: £36.25 £36.25 November 21: £36.50 £36.50 November 22: £36.75 £36.75 November 23: £37 £37 November 24: £37.25 £37.25 November 25: £37.75 TOTAL SAVED: £2,850 After seeing the figures laid out, this savings challenge still seem daunting. But remember, it's more of a guideline than a hard and fast order, and you can tweak it to suit your circumstances. That may mean skipping a few days, reducing the incremental increase, doing it for fewer days, or splitting the deposits with a partner — whatever works. Alternatively, if you're looking for some more general advice around saving up for Christmas, Maxine has shared her top tips to help families spread the cost. This includes making the most of cashback rewards and early deals: 'It's not just the gifts – food, travel, and social events can quickly add up,' explains the expert. To avoid becoming overwhelmed, she recommends creating a simple breakdown to track what you'll need for each area, adding: 'This gives you a realistic view of your total spend and makes it easier to stick to your budget.' According to Maxine, two-thirds of Brits start Christmas shopping as early as August. However, for those a little less eager (yet still eager enough to be prepared) she advises spreading out your purchases, alongside looking for early offers or discounts, so you can tick items off your list bit by bit. 'Even just picking up one or two gifts each month can help you avoid panic buying and inflated prices later on,' Maxine notes. 'There's no need to overhaul your spending habits, just be smart about how you shop,' says Maxine, adding that cashback apps and loyalty schemes can earn you money back on everyday purchases. More Trending Simply redirect those rewards into your Christmas savings pot to give your budget a helpful boost. Maxine has some strong words of advice here, and they couldn't be truer: 'Christmas is about joy, not debt.' Ultimately, if the numbers don't add up, don't be afraid to scale back. A 'thoughtful, well-planned Christmas' can feel just as magical – if not more – than if you burnt through your entire bank balance. View More » Plus, your future self will thank you for starting January without the stress of overspending. Because let's be real, many of us enter the New Year with a regular type of hangover, we don't want a financial one as well. Looking for another way to make a bit of disposable cash for Christmas? Anna Cash Davidson, from Margate in Kent, has a very fitting moniker. The 27-year-old works in the music industry, but significantly increases her income by buying vintage items in bulk and reselling them online. She's one of a growing group of Britons who are earning money from second-hand clothes, children's old toys and abandoned household items worth hundreds of pounds. Read Metro's full article, plus find advice for aspiring fashion side-hustlers here. Do you have a story to share? Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@ MORE: Credit card customers can save up to £1,679 with a simple debt 'spring clean' MORE: Pride doesn't come cheap — the LGBTQ+ 'queer tax' has cost us thousands MORE: Make money from your living room with these 7 investing tips for absolute novices Your free newsletter guide to the best London has on offer, from drinks deals to restaurant reviews.
