Families feeling the cost of festive spending
Families across Wales are feeling the pinch as the cost of their festive spending begins to hit home, with many turning to pawnbrokers to pay the bills. Richard Morgan reports.
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Families struggling to pay off debt
Dayne Owens, of the Citizens Advice Bureau, says many families are getting into debt not only on Christmas presents, but everyday items such as food and clothes.
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Drop-in debt advice
Debt and benefit surgeries are being run in Carmarthenshire for residents struggling with debt.
RDP Sir Gâr are hosting free drop-in surgeries advising on benefit claims, debt management, entitlement checks, getting back to work and budgeting.
The surgeries are part of the Rural Community Inclusion project that aims to increase the availability and accessibility of basic services and facilities in rural areas.
– Bex Llewhelin, surgery organiserThe idea is to reach out to people who are unable to access central services. People can come to me with a whole range of queries.
In terms of debts, it can be anything from basic budgeting to more complicated things like dealing with creditors.
To find out more contact: Bex Llewhelin rsllewhelin@carmarthenshire.gov.uk or call
01267 242 344 / 07717 527252.
Debt advice at hand
According to the Citizens Advice Bureau, more people than ever before have taken out payday loans over this festive season than ever before.
Anyone struggling to pay off their Christmas spending can get free advice on how to deal with their debt from the Citizens Advice Bureau.
Other groups offering help include debt charity Stepchange which has a free helpline 0800 138 1111 and a 24-hour anonymous online counselling service, and National Debtline which offers free, confidential advice on 0808 808 4000.
Families facing cash crisis
January is the worst time of year for those struggling with debt, according to the Citizens' Advice Bureau.
Many families are feeling the pinch as they begin to count the cost of their festive spending with research finding that around 5million British adults are considering taking out a payday loan in the next six months.
Pawnbroker Robin Rosalski, of Get Cash Quick in Queensferry, has been in business for 13 years and says he's never known it to be so busy.
He says people are so desperate, they are pawning everything and anything, from war medals to cars.
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