Use cash not credit cards this Christmas, says Church

|PIC1|Leave your credit cards at home and use cash when you are Christmas shopping if you want to stick to your budget - that’s the advice from Dr John Preston, the Church of England’s National Stewardship Officer.

It’s just one of many money-saving tips to be found in three new videocasts available on the Church of England website. They are being released alongside a budgeting spreadsheet to help people enjoy Christmas without getting into debt.

The Wishing You an Affordable Christmas videocasts will be available to view at www.cofe.anglican.org/debt/christmas.

Part one was released on Monday and parts two and three will be available in coming days.

The Affordable Christmas Planner is also available from the web page, designed to help people set a budget of what they can afford, and then compare their budget with the total cost of presents, food and drink, parties, travel, and other expenses.

“Planning for an affordable Christmas starts now,” says Dr John Preston. “These videocasts and the accompanying spreadsheet are the ideal way to get on top of your spending - so that you can have a wonderful, and yet affordable, Christmas.”

Wishing You an Affordable Christmas is part of the Church of England’s ongoing Matter of Life and Debt initiative, which since January 2008 has helped people through the credit crunch with prayers for those affected by the current financial situation, helpful advice and useful links.