Christmas—the season of twinkling lights, cosy nights, and… spending sprees that sometimes leave us blue come January.

But don’t worry! With a little planning and some clever tricks, you can keep the festive magic alive without breaking the bank. And guess what? Your local Credit Union might just be the secret Santa you didn’t know you needed.

Top tips for managing Your finances this Christmas

1. Make a List (and check it twice!)

Before you dash through the shops, jot down everyone you’re buying for and set a spending limit. A clear budget is your best friend—it keeps you on track and stops those “just one more gift” moments.

2. Tick off your list as you go

Think of it like keeping score in a festive game. Use a budgeting app or a simple notebook to track every purchase. It’s amazing how those little extras add up!

3. Pay with what you have

Credit cards can feel like magic wands, but they come with a price—interest! Stick to cash or debit where possible. Spending what you actually have means no nasty surprises later.

4. Simplify gift-giving

Secret Santa, homemade treats, or the “Four Gift Rule” (want, need, wear, read) can make gifting fun and affordable. Remember, it’s the thought that counts—not the price tag.

5. Shop smart

Start early, hunt for deals, and use loyalty points or cashback sites. Even little savings add up to big cheer.

6. Get creative

DIY gifts, baking, or even a heartfelt handwritten letter can mean more than anything store-bought. Plus, they’re budget-friendly and full of love.

How Credit Unions can be your secret Santa

Credit Unions are about community and support. Here’s how they can help make your Christmas stress-free:

1. Affordable lending

Need a little extra to cover festive costs? Credit Unions often offer small loans with lower interest rates than credit cards—helping you avoid falling into debt traps providing alternatives to other high interest lenders or even worse, loan sharks! Click here for more information on the affordable lending Sheffield Credit Union can provide.

2. Christmas savings accounts

Many Credit Unions offer special accounts where you can save throughout the year for next Christmas—so you’re ready when the bells start jingling. Click here for more information on the Christmas Saver at Sheffield Credit Union.

3. Financial support

Feeling overwhelmed? Credit Unions often provide free budgeting tips. It’s like having an elf for your money matters! Click here for more information on the budgeting account that Sheffield Credit Union provides.

Overall, Christmas should be about joy, not stress. With a sprinkle of planning and the support of your local Credit Union, you can keep the season merry and bright—without the January blues.

Black Friday is one of the biggest shopping events of the year, but it can also be overwhelming and lead to overspending if you’re not prepared. Here are some practical tips to help you make the most of the deals without breaking your budget:

1. Set a Budget Before You Shop

Decide how much you can afford to spend and stick to it. A clear budget helps you avoid impulse purchases and financial stress later.

2. Make a Shopping List

Write down the items you truly need or have been planning to buy. This keeps you focused and prevents unnecessary splurges.

3. Compare Prices

Don’t assume every Black Friday deal is the best. Use price comparison tools or check multiple retailers to ensure you’re getting genuine savings.

4. Watch Out for “Too Good to Be True” Deals

Some discounts are inflated or tied to unnecessary extras. Read the fine print and check product reviews before buying.

5. Use Cashback and Loyalty Programs

If you have access to cashback offers or loyalty points, use them to maximize your savings.

6. Avoid Credit Card Debt

It’s tempting to swipe now and worry later, but high-interest debt can turn a bargain into a burden. If you need financial flexibility, consider safer alternatives.

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Need Financial Support?

If you’re worried about overspending or need help managing your finances, your local credit union such as Sheffield Credit Union is on hand to help. They can offer:

• Low-interest personal loans, looking at affordability rather than just your credit score
• Budgeting advice
• Savings plans tailored to your goals

Visit your local credit union’s website or branch to explore options that keep your finances healthy while enjoying the Black Friday deals.

Sleigh no to loan sharks this Christmas!

Christmas is a time for joy, family gatherings, and celebrations, but it can also bring financial pressure. The
cost of parties, presents, and festive food can quickly add up, leaving some of us struggling to make ends
meet.

Unfortunately, this is when loan sharks can strike. These illegal lenders prey on vulnerable people, offering
what seems like a friendly helping hand - but behind the smiles lies a dangerous trap.
What is a loan shark?

Loan sharks are illegal money lenders. They often appear trustworthy, sometimes they’re a neighbour, a
parent at the school gate, a work colleague, or even a family friend. Borrowers often don’t realise they’ve
been targeted until it’s too late.

What starts as a small loan can spiral into a nightmare. As these lenders aren’t regulated, they can demand high charges and interest payments and sometimes use intimidation or violence when you can’t pay.

What are the warning signs?
If you’re considering borrowing money, watch out for these red flags:
- No paperwork or written agreement for the loan.
- Repayments far higher than the amount borrowed.
- Threats or intimidation if you struggle to pay.
- Demands for personal items like your passport, bank card, or valuables as security.

If any of these sound familiar, you may be dealing with a loan shark.

Safer alternatives
If you need to borrow, consider a credit union or CDFI. They offer ethical, safe loans even for people who’ve been refused credit elsewhere.

How to get help
If you think you’ve been targeted, don’t suffer in silence. The England Illegal Money Lending Team (IMLT) - known as Stop Loan Sharks - is here to help. They investigate illegal lenders and support victims.
You’ve done nothing wrong by borrowing, the lender is the criminal.

You can contact Stop Loan Sharks confidentially and anonymously if needed:
📞 24/7 Hotline: 0300 555 2222
📱 WhatsApp: 07700 102773
💻 Live Chat: www.stoploansharks.co.uk (Mon–Fri, 9am–5pm)
✉️ Email: reportaloanshark@stoploansharks.gov.uk

Bad things can happen to anyone. Your washing machine might break. Your car might stop working. You might lose your job. When these things happen, you need money to fix them.

This is why you need to save money for bad days. We call this an "emergency fund." It's like having a piggy bank for grown-ups.

Why Save Money for Bad Days?

An emergency fund is money you keep safe for when something goes wrong. It helps you pay for things like:

• Fixing your car
• Buying a new washing machine
• Paying bills when you can't work
• Going to the doctor

Money experts say you should save enough money to pay your bills for 3 to 6 months. But even £500 can help a lot. The most important thing is to start saving now.

How to Start Saving Money

1. Start Small You don't need to save lots of money at once. Save just a little bit each week. Maybe £5. Maybe £2. Every penny counts.

2. Make It Automatic Ask your bank to move money from your main account to your savings account every time you get paid. This way, you won't forget to save.

3. Use Extra Money Sometimes you get extra money. Like birthday money or money back from the tax office. Put this straight into your emergency savings.

4. Spend Less on Some Things Look at what you spend money on each month. Can you:

• Cancel TV channels you don't watch?
• Make coffee at home instead of buying it?
• Use coupons at the shop?

Put the money you save straight into your emergency fund.

5. Save Your Change Some bank apps can help you save. Every time you buy something, they round up to the next pound. The extra money goes into savings. So if you spend £4.20, they take £5 and save 80p for you.

6. Save More When You Can When you get more money (like a pay rise), save some of it. Even if it's just a little bit more each month.

How Sheffield Credit Union Can Help

Sheffield Credit Union wants to help you save money. We have different ways to save:

Easy Savings Account

• You can put in as little as £1
• You can take money out when you need it
• No fees for taking money out

Special Accounts

• Christmas Saver: Save money all year for Christmas
• Bill Account: Keep money safe to pay your bills
• Children's Account: Teach kids to save

Save While You Borrow This is special. If you borrow money from us, you also save money at the same time. When you finish paying back the loan, you have savings too!

We Keep Your Money Safe Your money is protected. This means even if something bad happens to the credit union, you will get your money back.

Tips to Keep Your Emergency Fund Safe

• Only use this money for real emergencies
• If you use some money, start saving again straight away
• Set a new goal each year
• Tell a friend or family member about your goal - they can help you stick to it

Start Today

You don't need to earn lots of money to start saving. You just need to start. Sheffield Credit Union is here to help you save your money and cheer you on.

Come and talk to us about opening a savings account. We can help you make a plan that works for you. Together, we can help you be ready for whatever happens.

Sheffield Credit Union wants to help people in Sheffield. We lend money to people who need it. We are not trying to make lots of money from you. We want to help you and your family.

Our most popular loan is called a Progress Loan. This loan can help you when you need money for important things.

What is a Progress Loan?

A Progress Loan is money we lend to you. You pay it back bit by bit each month. You can borrow between £200 and £7,500. That means you could borrow a small amount like £200 or a big amount like £7,500.

You don't need to save money with us first. New members can ask for a loan straight away.

Why Might You Need a Loan?

People use Progress Loans for many things:

• Fixing their house
• Buying things for school or college
• Paying off other debts
• Buying important things they need
• Paying for unexpected bills

How Much Does It Cost?

The cost depends on how much you borrow:

• If you borrow £200 to £1,499: You pay back extra money at 42.6% APR. You have 6 months to 2 years to pay it back.
• If you borrow £1,500 to £2,999: You pay back extra money at 30.0% APR. You have 6 months to 3 years to pay it back.
• If you borrow £3,000 to £7,500: You pay back extra money at 15.0% APR. You have 1 year to 5 years to pay it back.

Good Things About Our Loans

No Hidden Costs We don't charge you extra fees. If you want to pay back your loan early, you can. This will save you money.

Top-Up Your Loan If you have paid back one third of your loan, you can ask to borrow more money.

We Look at Your Whole Situation We don't just look at your credit score. We look at:

• How much money you earn
• What you spend money on
• If you can afford to pay back the loan

We want to make sure the loan is right for you.

Who Can Get a Progress Loan?

You can apply if:

• You live or work in Sheffield
• You earn at least £500 each month (not counting housing benefit)
• You are not in debt trouble right now
• You haven't been bankrupt in the last 2 years

If you get Universal Credit or work for yourself, that's fine. Just show us proof of your income.

How to Apply

Getting a loan is easy:

1. Fill in our form online (takes about 10 minutes) or ask for a paper form
2. Send us your bank statements using our safe website
3. We will look at your application and tell you yes or no within 2 working days
4. If we say yes, we put the money in your bank account quickly

We Want You to Save Too

When you have a Progress Loan, we ask you to save a little money each month too. This helps you:

• Have money for emergencies
• Get better at managing money
• Get cheaper loans in the future

Why Choose Sheffield Credit Union?

We Are Fair We are not like payday loan companies that charge lots of money. We are run by our members. We want to help you, not make lots of money from you.

We Help Sheffield When you borrow from us, you help other people in Sheffield too. We use our money to help more people get fair loans.

We Are Here to Help Our staff are friendly and helpful. They can answer your questions and help you understand everything. We want you to feel comfortable and safe.

Progress Loans Help You Move Forward

Sometimes life is hard and you need help. A Progress Loan is more than just borrowing money. It's a way to solve problems and make your life better.

If you think a Progress Loan might help you, talk to us. You can:

• Visit our website
• Call us on the phone
• Come to our office in Sheffield

We are here to help you make progress.

Important Things to Remember

• We have to check if you can afford the loan
• You must pay back the loan each month
• If you pay back your loan well, it can help your credit score
• If you need help, just ask us - we are always happy to help