HOME & GARDEN


rything you need and then stick to it. Try to be sales savvy. The January sales are a great place to pick up a bargain or two, but before you buy, ask yourself if you re- ally need it. It might be a great opportunity to buy the new toaster or sweater that you have needed for ages, but create a plan before you go. Don’t be tempted by items you don’t really need just because they are discounted. As you cut your expenditure, try to find extra income. Do anything you can, as long as it’s legal, to bring in extra money to help tide you over until you’re back on your financial feet. Even if you have a full time job you could work overtime, try babysitting, tutor- ing or using any skill you can to bring in a little more cash. Next, avoid borrowing to cancel out debt. Even if Christmas has put you into the red, try to avoid any borrowing, especially con- solidation loans. It is easy to be convinced that this is a way of helping you get out of debt, however consolidation loans are sim- ply a means of combining all of your debt. You could end up having everything repos- sessed because you’ve tied it all up in one loan. Finally, start saving for next Christmas now and put away a little each month. Set up a standing order to a savings account. You will be surprised how quickly you will forget you are saving, and by next Christmas you will find you have a specific pot of money to buy all your presents.


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