Two thirds of people polled say they struggle to afford Christmas and a third are expecting to borrow for it, warns debt charity
3 December 2019
- New survey of social media users who celebrate Christmas finds nearly a third (31%) of respondents will borrow to pay for it
- The survey finds that people will take an average of seven and a half months to pay back Christmas debts
- Nearly seven in 10 polled will not be able to comfortably afford Christmas
- A quarter of the respondents will use a ‘buy now, pay later’ scheme this Christmas with over a third of 16-34-year-olds planning to use one
New data reveals the effect of Christmas on people’s finances, with nearly seven in 10 (68%) unable to comfortably afford this festive season, and nearly a third turning to credit to help fund Christmas shopping.
The survey, conducted for StepChange Debt Charity, asked 1,533 people, who use social media and will be celebrating Christmas this year about the pressures they feel to spend money and use credit over the festive period.
The research revealed nearly a third (31%) of respondents celebrating Christmas will borrow to pay for it, with a quarter (25%) intending to use a ‘buy now, pay later’ scheme. This rises to a third (36%) among 16-34 year olds, a demographic more likely to have insecure or irregular income, which can put them at greater risk of problem debt.
The survey finds those who intend on using credit for Christmas say they will take an average of seven and a half months to pay back debts after the Christmas period, meaning their payments won’t be settled until late summer 2020. Of those who will accrue debt this Christmas, over half (59%) will do so buying presents for friends and family, while nearly a third (31%) will use it to buy food throughout the Christmas period.
A third (34%) of those surveyed said they will have to cut their spending this year to afford Christmas, and 17% stated they would struggle to make ends meet. We found that people are often cutting back on things such as takeaways (32%), nights out (26%) and even on their household food shopping (16%) in order to make ends meet.
Christmas is often considered to be the most magical time of year for people who celebrate it, and especially for those with children, but this year it is likely to be a source of financial pressure for families. We found that parents with dependent children who aren’t living at home are most likely to expect to use credit over Christmas (51%). Those with adult children not living at home are the least likely (25%).
The new data coincides with the launch of StepChange’s campaign, ‘The Real Cost of Christmas’, which seeks to raise awareness of the potential long term impact of credit taken out during the festive season. StepChange is planning to share helpful advice and tips to help people avoid or address problem debt this Christmas.
Richard Lane, Director of External Affairs at StepChange Debt Charity, comments:
"Celebrating the festive season is fun but getting into debt for it isn’t. Retailers and credit providers must not encourage over-borrowing at the expense of people’s long-term financial health.
"If it’s going to take many months to repay what you borrow to pay for Christmas, it’s worth pausing for a moment to think about whether your friends and family would really want you to suffer financially as a result of your generosity. Most people would much prefer their loved ones to have a financially happy new year than a swanky present.
"If you’re already in debt, don’t let the pressure or expectation that Christmas can put on you make you feel you have to spend. Free, confidential debt advice from reputable charities can help you."
Notes to editor
- StepChange Debt Charity commissioned a survey by Censuswide, with 1,533 respondents aged 16+ in GB between 11.11.19 – 13.11.19. The survey was conducted from a random sample of UK respondents who use social media and celebrate Christmas. Censuswide abide by and employ members of the Market Research Society which is based on the ESOMAR principles.