Indigenous Ministries case worker Jacqui Stringer runs workshops each year, on how to pre-plan the celebration of Christmas while on a Budget.
Ipswich First sat down with Ipswich Salvo Jacqui to discover her top 5 tips on how to do Christmas without blowing your budget.
1. Pay your bills first
People have to pay their bills first. Your top 5 expenses are usually Rent, Electricity, Medical, Clothing and Food. Without those things, you will end up homeless.
2. Prepare realistic Christmas Planning
The big thing we look at is, just because you can get through the year, it doesn’t mean you’re going to get through Christmas. It’s an added expense that can be underestimated. Don’t leave it till the last minute to pre-plan. Do up a budget and stick to it.
3. Feast on a budget
Write down what you will be eating and who will be bringing what. If everyone who is coming brings a plate you won’t over extend. Buy your cans of pineapple, drinks, chips and frozen vegetables when they are on special and you’ll have enough food to get you through the holidays as well.
4. Plan for gifts that won’t break the bank
People will get themselves into debt to buy gifts for everyone. Buy earlier when things are on special, use early layby, Gumtree, e-Bay, Facebook. Think about using a Secret Santa system so you are not buying for each person in your extended family. When buying presents for kids, think about what they want and what you want for them and balance those out. Write a list of who you are buying for, make a budget and stick to it.
5. Start buying things earlier in the year
Start buying gifts and food in September. Don’t leave it till the last minute. We also remind people to keep back to school in mind as well. Start laybying shoes, lunchbox, school bag in October, you can always exchange the size when you pick them up in January. Put money aside for uniforms.
“You don’t have to be on welfare or homeless to access our services. We help all those in need regardless of your situation.
I’ve seen people with well paying jobs who lose them and they think – what do we do now?
Come to the Salvo’s and we will say – let’s start here.”Jacqui Stringer
Jacqui will be running a free Positive Lifestyle program in the New Year that anybody can attend.
It deals with depression, stress and how to be assertive.
If you are interested in attending you can contact her on 3812 2462.
