We have been seeing many more ads in the media about payday style loans. Men dressed as cute furry creatures and super hero tights are appearing more and more on free to air TV or been stalking us online as related ads in our internet searches. The more traditional money lenders are also diving into the instant cash conversions in the search for our debt dollar.
Recent information suggests that women are more susceptible and are the fastest growing segment of the pay day loan industry. Not surprisingly the advertising has this group well in their sights. A few months ago the Triple J Hack program with Tom Tilley unravelled this financial tale that with only a few clicks could have you locked into paying off loans for a long time into the future. Is it case of borrower beware or is there a way to save us from our financial selves?
Listen to the program to find out.
http://www.abc.net.au/triplej/programs/hack/hack-monday/7778978
The offer of quick cash to help us get through the holiday season is tempting and with Christmas only weeks away there may be more than one cooked goose on the table this season.
Only five weeks until Christmas but don't panic with your finances.
Christmas is a time when the family budget gets a real work out. Not surprisingly there is always quite a lot of hype and more ads in the media offering quick loans and budget management. Do the math! These loans and schemes can sometimes multiply your problems. If you're struggling to make ends meet you don't have to add to your debt worries over the holidays as many financial help services are available for FREE and if you're after a new family purchase like a fridge or a new car then see the No Interest Loan Scheme (NILS) or low interest schemes schemes (StepUP).
Check out the ABC's Checkout programs view on the debt industry and download the Affordable App for information about these schemes and see what a FREE Financial Counsellor can do for you. 1800 007 007
and have a great Christmas.
Many families have over recent years accessed the benefits of the Schoolkids Bonus made available in January and July. This payment has been phased out from July 2016.
This payment was a welcome relief to assist in meeting the bills that usually arrive after the Christmas spending period. In discussions with many of our Financial Counsellors there seems to be some families who have not made allowance for this change to their expected income and were still anticipating further payments. If you have been previously accessing these payments and will no longer receive this payment you need to consider this in your Christmas planning or budget.
If you were eligible for these payments but did not receive them you need to notify the government. For families this needs to be by the 30 June 2017 and for Students notification needs to be done before 31st December 2016. See the related content below for more information.
Six weeks till Christmas. Time to look forward to the holiday menu. What food do you need to order and what is on special regarding longer life produce or condiments to help make a Christmas feast?
Planning for the holiday menu can help you to keep the Christmas budget in check. Look at what you can purchase now for those longer life items before Christmas rather than hurried spending at the last minute. Buying ingredients in bulk can save you money over time and helps to spread the cost of Christmas over several months. Holiday time sees many types of leftovers, which can be stretched over several days and you should incorporate this in your planning. A good meal with the family is about celebration and sharing, not excess.
For families in need there are several regular local Produce Markets run by the Charities, Churches and good Samaritan organisations that offer free produce to those in need and provide events for those wanting company and a good meal during the festive season. Check out the Affordable SA events page on the App and website for information of these markets and events. Find out where you can register for Christmas hampers and assistance over the Christmas period.
Seven weeks to Christmas. Less than two months. Have you planned for Christmas? How will you stay in budget and maintain the Christmas cheer as well as your finances. Take a look at our Affordable Christmas List for tips to managing Christmas and add in consideration for where you plan to be this Christmas when visiting friends and relatives.
This week is Bushfire Awareness Week in South Australia. Christmas and the holidays is a time when we are at risk of Bushfires across the state. What will you be doing over the Holidays? Where will you be? Should you prepare a plan for such an emergency if you are visiting friends and relatives in areas of higher bushfire risk? Do they have an action plan? Visit the CFS website for more information in staying safe over Christmas. http://www.cfs.sa.gov.au/site/home.jsp
If you or a friend struggle to make financial ends meet there is help. Speak with a financial Counsellor for free and get some control on your finances.
The Financial Counselling helpline can be contacted on 1800 007 007
9.30-8pm Monday to Thursday and 9.30 – 4.30pm on Fridays.
Why are they leaping?
It's less than 10 weeks to Christmas and they have got wind of a good bargain at the local Op Shop.
Its Anti Poverty week and most Op Shops around the state have prices marked down as much as 50%.
Make like a lord and leap into your local Op Shop for that reborn Christmas outfit or that special secret Santa gift.
Crazy prices are all part of Anti Poverty Week.
Anti-Poverty Week is a week where all Australians are encouraged to organise or take part in an activity aiming to highlight or overcome issues of poverty and hardship here in Australia or overseas.
Across the country community groups and organisations have created a rich and diverse program of events and activities to help focus our attention of the plight of those affected by poverty.
You can catch up with a full listing of what’s happening in your area by going to the Anti-Poverty website linked below.
Anti Poverty Week was established in Australia as an expansion of the UN's annual International Anti-Poverty Day on October 17.
The links between mental health and financial difficulties is a recognised problem within the health care system.
Depression and mental difficulties can lead to financial difficulties created by not meeting payments on time, over spending as a compensation response and lack of awareness of financial needs. In turn these financial problems can influence or have an impact on mental health well-being. Many health care professionals will seek assistance for mental health suffers from a Financial Counsellor to assist in breaking the cycle of financial problems.
This week, 9th-15th October, is Mental Health Week. The aim of Mental Health Week is to promote social and emotional wellbeing to the community, encouraging people to maximise their health potential, enhancing the coping capacity of communities, families, individuals and increasing mental health recovery.
Please support Mental Health Week.
Financial hardship can happen to anyone. The Financial Counselling Helpline provides information, support and advocacy to help people deal with immediate financial problems and minimise the risk of future problems. The service is free and confidential.
Phone 1800 007 007 – The Financial Counselling Helpline.
Emerging from the storerooms and spilling from every corner of the big shopping centres, a very glittery Christmas is coming out. The shelves are starting to move around and the red and white is an invading force into the high traffic thoroughfares. It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas and if the thought of holiday shopping anxiety is taking hold then its time for you to get yourself ready for an Affordable SA Christmas. Its just under 12 weeks to go!
1. PLANNING
Make a list and check it twice. Its not a case of whose naughty and whose nice, its just better to identify the people you want to give presents to and those that you can send cards and best wishes. Many people simply cannot afford to spend money on everyone they know such as their work colleagues and the neighbours.
Start planning early and don’t wait for the tinsel to roll out and carol music to begin. This provides time to save and look for gifts in the pre-Christmas sales and before the car parks start bulging every day.
2. BUDGET FOR THE WHOLE OF CHRISTMAS
Using your gift list write out how much you want to spend on presents and add any substantial food purchases such as a ham. Include posting cards, wrapping paper, and decorations. Extra meals and extra mouths add to what you usually allocate for your normal expenses. Even money for petrol to travel to visit family is a relative cost (sorry for the pun). Add 10% to your budget to make allowance for last minute details.
When Christmas is over assess this budget and be honest about how you managed or how you can improve the plan for next year.
3. BUYING GIFTS
Christmas is a time for connecting with those we love. Speak to friends and family members and set realistic expectations. Very much in vogue is to create a gift pool for extended family where each person is given the task of buying a gift for a different member of the family. Each person receives one gift and buys one gift. Pulling names out of a hat can be made fun and a good talking point between family members. Set a maximum cost for each gift of $5 or $10 or what ever you think is appropriate but affordable and get everyone to stay on budget.
4. SAVE FOR CHRISTMAS
Create a Christmas savings account or have a change jar for coins that you can periodically bank. A small amount put away each fortnight can help to take the debt out Christmas. Is it too late to save? Its never too late to save but if the milk and cookies are already set and Santa is throwing a leg over the chimney then before the tree and the decorations are packed away start a saving account for next year.
5. HOMEMADE
Homemade gifts are usually less expensive and are a wonderful, unique expression of your love. Freshly baked treats tied in a festive bow might make the perfect gift for a teacher or friend. Hand-sewn or knitted toys or clothes are cherished. Show off your talents with creative wrapping – affordable presents can look extravagant.
Not all of us are as talented as a budding Master-chef or home show presenter and sometimes buying all the materials needed to make something can quickly add up. Look online for ideas and judge for yourself what is achievable or not.
6. SHOPPING
Stick to your lists and your budget and try to use cash or debit card rather than credit to make your purchases.
Paying for parking and travelling around hunting for gifts can be time consuming and costly if long hours of parking fees are involved. Plan your trips wisely to avoid duplicate travel expenses.
Keep your receipts. There are several reasons to keep receipts. It makes it easier to return items and it provides you with a way of quickly identifying what you have purchased and confirms your real costs.
Last-minute Christmas shopping is for the brave and the fool hardy. If you can get it done before the Carols start then your well on your way to the head of the cue and a stress less Christmas.
7. ONLINE
If you know what you want you can quite often get an online bargain without the hassle of congested shopping. Purchase online items early to avoid the disappointment of having to wait till after Christmas to receive the gift. Mail moves slowly closer to Christmas. Looking at items online or in catalogues also provides a guide to what you should expect and budget to pay.
8. COOKING
Plan for the holiday menu and look where you can buy ingredients in bulk to save money. Holiday time sees many types of leftovers, which can be stretched over several days. A good meal with the family is about celebration and sharing, not excess.
Look for the specials before the Christmas period for items that have long best before dates.
9. POST CHRISTMAS DEBT
That warm Christmas glow can quickly disappear when the credit card bills come rolling in at the start of the New Year. Using savings or debit cards rather than credit provides a realistic way of monitoring your spending. Spending your own money and reducing debt is always a good idea all year round if possible.
10. NEW YEAR BARGAINS
If the big ticket family purchase like a telly is on your Christmas list create an IOU to be used during the big sales in January. If you have managed to create a saving plan for Christmas then its time to reward yourself.
Once the Christmas rush is over Christmas themed items are greatly reduced and many people purchase cards and decorations or even a new plastic tree for next year.
11. FAMILY
The cost of a gift is not a reflection of your love. Not only are the best things in life free, the best things in life are not “things”. Christmas is a time for family and making time for activities and games are gifts of fond memories for everyone. They don't come with a guarantee or a warranty but they usually last longer and increase in value over the years.
12. REMEMBER
If you or a friend struggle to make ends meet there is help. Speak with a financial Counsellor for free and get some control on your finances.
The Financial Counselling helpline can be contacted on 1800 007 007
9.30-8pm Monday to Thursday and 9.30 – 4.30pm on Fridays.