A savvy Christmas
- From the Money Advice Service

Christmas comes but once a year but you can avoid paying for it long after the turkey is finished and the tree is gone.

It feels better knowing that you're making the most of your money throughout the festive season. So if you don't want a money headache in the New Year but still want to have a great Christmas, these tips from the Money Advice Service can help.  Their online health check can get you on the right track for 2012 too.

Savvy shopping
First, know how much you can spend.  Decide what you can afford to spend and stick to it.  Include everything - gifts, travel, food, new outfits, and decorations. Our online Managing your money guide can help.

Write a list. Estimate the cost of each item and check you can afford it. When buying online don't forget about delivery charges. 

Compare prices of different retailers.  Look closely at special offers to make sure they really are value for money. And keep an eye out for discount vouchers. Our online Shopping around guide can help.

Do you need insurance? Check before buying extended warranties - your gifts may be covered by your existing contents insurance policy..

Borrowing for Christmas?  Get the best product you can. Only borrow what you can afford to repay, and make sure you're clear on the terms, including the APR.  Check our site for types of borrowing and pros and cons of each. And take a look at our online Advice for Christmas present feature for savvy tips on Christmas borrowing.

Stretch your money
Cut back. Make every penny count.  Our Cut-back calculator can help you see where you can make savings. 

Christmas bonus?  If you are getting benefits, you could be entitled to a Christmas bonus. And if you don't currently get benefits, find out if you should be – check the Directgov website.

Plan your food list carefully. According to Love food, hate waste, we throw away over eight million tonnes of food each year. This costs the average family with children £680! 

Make what you can. Home-made jam or cookies, or a framed photo, make great gifts. Wrap them in brown paper tied with a festive red ribbon.

Write your Christmas cards early, hand-deliver what you can, and post the rest second class (by Saturday 17 December). Or, get digital and send an e-card!

Start a happy new year
Once the festivities are over, see where you can be saving and making more of your money all year round. 

Start as you mean to go on by taking the health check – our new online money planner.  In minutes you can get a personal action plan showing how to make the most of your money now, and reach your future goals.

Get the whole family involved, so they can start a money-savvy new year too. And check our website for more money tips.

About us
These festive tips are your gift from the Money Advice Service.  Have a thrifty and happy Christmas. Why not visit our website (please include name) to try out the health check today and see how you can make the most of your money this festive season?

A wonderful Christmas and no new-year money worries: now that's worth celebrating.

Moneyadviceservice.org.uk
0300 500 5000

* Calls should cost no more than 01 or 02 UK-wide calls, and are included in inclusive mobile and landline minutes.  To help us maintain and improve our service we may record or monitor calls.