Back to home
BLACKBURN and Darwen residents are bring urged not to let Christmas drive them into debt.
With only eight weeks to go, Blackburn with Darwen Council's advice service, the Jubilee Tower Credit Union and the Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB)s are offering free help with money management.
"There are huge extra financial pressures on people at Christmas time and, by encouraging people to plan ahead, we hope to ease some of those pressures," said Coun John Slater, executive member for citizens and consumer rights.
"With the collapse of Farepak last year, people may have turned away from pre-paid Christmas hamper schemes and think their only options are credit or loan sharks.
"We can help them consider other alternatives."
Both the council and CAB staff offer free, confidential debt advice and support, while the credit union can offer a savings scheme and lower cost loans to pay for Christmas, holidays or even house deposits.
According to credit union manager "We have over 1,000 savers who put small sums aside with us regularly for Christmas and other expenses.
"That also qualifies them for a cash loans, if they need one, and we charge lower rates of interest."
News source :http://www.blackburncitizen.co.uk/
