Christmas Financial Tips
Tips to manage Christmas money
Facing financial challenges during Christmas can be tough, but there are ways to make it more manageable.
How you navigate holiday season spending will depend on your unique situation. While not all tips may fit your needs, trying a few could make a positive difference.
Dealing with Holiday Money Worries
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​Be kind to yourself
Money worries can have a big impact on our mental health, making us feel concerned, embarrassed or angry. And they can affect self-esteem. Try not to blame yourself for your situation or how you're feeling about it.
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​Avoid comparisons
Try to avoid comparing yourself with Christmas adverts or social media. These often aren’t real and can make us feel bad about ourselves. It may help to take breaks from social media.​
Make a plan
Write out a list for a free or low-cost Christmas. Writing things down can make them feel more manageable or help you think more clearly.
Be open with others
It can be hard to talk about money, but being honest with others can help. You may be able to agree ways to make Christmas plans free or low cost. Or they might be able to offer other kinds of support.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
​Talking About Money With Kids – ABC Listen Podcast
Share what you can afford with your kids without stressing them out and how to tell your kids you just can’t afford it.
Listen here​​
​​​Organisations which can help
Local charities and community centres may have free or low-cost Christmas events and may also be able to offer support gifts or food. ​
These two directories are good places to start:​
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Ask Izzy
Australia-wide directory that can assist with housing, food, financial hardship, family violence support, counselling and other support.
​Accessible on Telstra and Vodaphone networks even without credit or access to Wi-Fi.
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WA Connect
Community service directory managed by the Western Australian Council of Social Service. It contains Search real time results of emergency relief services, with phone numbers, operating hours and directions on the services available in your local area.
Visit WA Connect's free Christmas meal map.
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Financial assistance – Anglicare WA provides two services:
Financial Wellbeing Collective – 1800 932 050​
Support for people experiencing financial hardship with a range of free, independent services. If you're having trouble paying bills, affording basic necessities, struggling with debt or want to manage your money better, the Financial Wellbeing Collective can help.​
Emergency Relief and Food Access Service (Financial Wellbeing Collective) – 1800 979 777​
Support for people facing financial hardship and struggling to put food on the table or keep up with bills.
Further assistance:
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Mob Strong Debt Helpline 1800 808 488​
Free call for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people