Hello all
I hope all is well and everyone is getting ready for Christmas (unlike me).
I’m getting in touch with a Christmas campaign from the Money Advice Service.
The article contains a unique link to the online money planner Health Check for Prospect members and employees in sectors supported by the union:
Please can you circulate this to members, and/or place the feature with the link on your websites and intranets?
For example, PCS union has posted the campaign with their unique link on the main external website: http://bit.ly/v1t286
The union has sent the feature to all their sector and national branches.
Your help with this will be most appreciated!
All the best
Jules O'Neill-Shaw
Have a savvy Christmas
In these tough economic times, many people are inspired to adopt new habits from bygone days to help them make their money go further. This is especially true at Christmas.
Whether you have a little or a lot, you can still make the occasion special. These tips and tools from the Money Advice Service can help you manage your money throughout the festive season:
· Home-made gifts – these are often cheaper and show a lot of thought and effort. Home-made jam or cookies nicely wrapped can look and taste great.
· Personalised gifts – they may take more time to prepare but are unique and usually cheaper. Why not try a personalised calendar or framed photograph for example?
· Family gifts – how about giving a gift for the family to share rather than for individuals. Board games, puzzles or a big box of chocolates or biscuits are often an inexpensive option and loved by everyone.
· Pre-loved gifts – online auctions and the Oxfam website are good places to look for clothes, accessories, music and more.
For most of us Christmas is the most expensive time of year, and spending more than you mean to is all too easy.
However, deciding how much you can afford to spend first and sticking to it will help you to start the New Year much happier:
· Write a list – estimate the cost of each present and check that the total is within your budget. Stick to your list. Sounds simple, but it’s easy to get carried away when Christmas lights are twinkling and gifts are displayed to entice you to buy.
· Plan what to buy and when – some things are best paid for early to get the best deals, for example travel, and others best to leave until the last minute, such as stocking fillers.
· Compare prices of different retailers as well as internet and shop prices – they often differ. Price comparison websites can be useful but try and use different sites to get a full range of prices.
· Budget for delivery costs – if buying online remember to budget for delivery costs, and try and consolidate your shopping to get the best delivery prices.
· Do you need insurance? Check if your gifts are covered by your existing contents insurance policy. And think twice before buying any extended warranties – you may already be covered.
Add some advice to your Christmas list and make the most of your money this festive season.
Try out the online money planner Health Check today. This takes less than ten minutes and gives you a personal action plan with clear next steps for the top three things to do right now, and how to plan for future goals:
A wonderful Christmas and no new-year money worries: now that’s worth celebrating.
Additionally other holiday ideas for spending more time than money can be found on this blog:
Happy Holidays and here's hoping for a prosperous and healthy 2012 to all from your BL Union Learning Representatives,
Graham Ford, Prospect [Boston Spa]
Melanie Johnson, PCS [London]
Iwona Jurkiewicz, Prospect [London]
Marjorie Newson, Prospect [Boston Spa]
Andy Robinson, Prospect [Boston Spa]
Sarah Wood-Ripley, PCS [Boston Spa]
Post referred to us by: Kate Antoniou ULF Project Development Worker |
