Looking for ways to buy Christmas gifts on a budget? From Secret Santa to smarter shopping, here are a few ways to keep Christmas merry without leaving your bank balance feeling anything but bright.
It’s the most wonderful time of the year. It’s also, for many, the most expensive.
No matter how much you try to keep costs down, Christmas has a funny way of making your money disappear faster than Father Christmas up a chimney.
But buying Christmas gifts on a budget doesn’t mean being a Scrooge.
Start by deciding how much you can realistically afford to spend. And stick to it. That extra little present might seem harmless, but a few of those soon add up.
It’s also worth having a chat with family and friends about spending limits. Chances are, they’ll be relieved you’ve brought it up.
Buying for a big group? Secret Santa can save everyone a small fortune. And don’t leave everything until Christmas Eve. Shopping early gives you more time to compare prices and hunt down bargains.
Of course, even with the best planning, Christmas can still stretch your finances. And if you find yourself needing a little extra help, a loan from Northern Community Bank could be worth considering.
Need a little extra Christmas cash?
If you have done your sums and decided borrowing is affordable, a loan from Northern Community Bank could help cover Christmas costs, including presents for your nearest and dearest.
We offer loans from £150 to £15,000, so there’s no need to borrow more than you actually need.
Standard Loans can be repaid over 12 to 60 months, depending on how much you borrow and what you can afford.
APR ranges from 12.7% to 42.6% on a reducing balance, with no set-up fees or early repayment charges.
You’ll also save a little alongside your repayments through the bank’s ‘Save as you Borrow’ scheme.
And there’s no need to brave the Christmas shopping crowds to apply. Everything can be done online, from the comfort of your sofa.
Northern Community Bank: Not just for Christmas
Loans aren’t just for Christmas. They’re for all sorts of life’s little surprises, from replacing a broken washing machine to covering the cost of something you’ve been planning for months.
And here at Northern Community Bank, we’re about much more than lending money.
We’re proud to be a not-for-profit community bank, which means we can offer competitive interest rates while putting our account holders first.
We also believe there’s no substitute for the human touch. That’s why our loan applications are looked at by real people (not elves), rather than leaving everything to a computer. And we make our decisions within two working days.
We’ve also got a secure mobile app and online accounts area, so you can keep an eye on your money without leaving the sofa.
And we believe in giving something back to our account holders. That’s why, when the community bank performs well, we’re able to share a little of that success with them as a thank you for their support.
So, whether you’re buying Christmas gifts on a budget or planning for the year ahead, we’re here to help. And that’s something worth raising a glass of Christmas cheer to.
