As we resist taking down the fairy lights but concede to putting away the Christmas tree, many of us are likely to be still going out and celebrating the New Year with friends we barely see – toasting to what good luck may come our way in the next few months. But as we do so, it’s only a matter of weeks before the bills arrive – punishing those who are already financially vulnerable for shutting their eyes to the pressures of everyday life, kicking their heels back and for once, spending a penny…a hundred, or more.
Monday 20 January has long been known as Blue Monday – the most depressing day of the year. According to Wikipedia, it’s on Blue Monday when the combination of poor weather, debt, time since Christmas, time since failing our new year’s resolutions, low motivational levels and the feeling of needing to take action come together and reach an all time high.
According to The Telegraph, £2.7bn was spent this year on Boxing Day sales. With the majority of the working nation not returning to their desks until 6 January, there were still an additional nine shopping days after Boxing Day to maximise the opportunity to literally “shop til you drop” – but what of the aftermath – the regret, the guilt and the sound of the bills dropping on the doormat a few weeks later?
News released today, Friday 3 January, from charity Shelter confirms close to 8 million Britons struggle to pay their mortgage or rent – and in 2013, close to one million people in the UK used payday loans to cover this essential cost. One family featured on Daybreak today talked about this issue – confirming they had even sold their wedding rings in order to make ends meet.
With all this doom and gloom just days into the New Year, I ask what you think the year ahead holds for us all? Do you worry about paying your essential bills, and if you’re not in a debt solution, what do you do to make ends meet?
For more information please visit this link http://england.shelter.org.uk/news/january_2014/one_in_eleven_brits_facing_rent_or_mortgage_trouble_this_january
