Sally Mills, 47, who works for the charity Christians Against Poverty, says the run-up to Christmas can be one of the most stressful times of year when it comes to finances
Money-saving guru Sally Mills has dished out her top tips for a debt-free festive season, which includes embracing Secret Santa and hunting for treasures in charity shops. The 47-year-old debt advisor, who works tirelessly to help clients become debt-free, warns that the lead-up to Christmas can be a financial minefield.
The savvy grandmother-of-two insists that reckless spending is a given unless you ditch the habit of “buying for the sake of it”. She recommends organising a family-wide Secret Santa, where everyone splashes out on one substantial present rather than multiple smaller ones.
Moreover, Sally advises setting spending limits with distant relatives to avoid unnecessary gift-buying. For those looking to get creative, she suggests turning to Pinterest for DIY gift inspiration and reminds bargain hunters that charity shops are a goldmine for thrifty finds.
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The expert from Romford, east London, who represents the charity Christians Against Poverty, shared: “Ultimately you can’t buy people’s love. Christmas is about spending time with your loved ones, no matter what age.” Sally also highlighted: “Nobody wants to see their parents or loved ones stressed trying to pay for something beyond their reach.”
But she reassures that there are strategies to cut down on costs. The mother-of-four reveals that her own family has been partaking in Secret Santa for four years, with a generous budget of £50, ensuring everyone receives one meaningful gift over several less impactful ones.
Sally has found a savvy way to keep Christmas shopping affordable and meaningful, using an app called Elfster to organise Secret Santa exchanges. She explained: “When my adult daughters were younger I’d have a budget for each of them. But now they all have partners and two of them have children as well, the list gets a bit ridiculous. You can end up buying for the sake of buying – this is a cheaper way of doing things and it works really well.”
Sally also advocates setting clear boundaries on gift-giving within the family., saying: “We made an agreement with my brother and his wife – we only buy presents for my nephew, and they only buy for our kids.”
She’s a fan of charity shop finds for the little ones who don’t mind second-hand gifts and suggests investing in presents like an Oodie that offer more than just immediate joy. As for teacher gifts, she advises against cliché items such as mugs and recommends a plant instead, which is both economical and unlikely to be forgotten in a cupboard.
Or, as she suggests, create a parents’ WhatsApp group to organise everyone contributing a smaller amount that could not only be more cost-effective but could also bag a better gift. Sally’s ultimate piece of advice for those about to splurge is to think about a handmade present and look to Pinterest for ideas.
She mentioned: “Pinterest has a wealth of knowledge and you can make things yourself.” Like a jar with all the ingredients in for cookies or hot chocolate. Or make a pot with ideas for activities to do, like a movie day or games night, for them to choose from.”
Sally’s top tips:
- Try a family Secret Santa
- Set boundaries with people you don’t need to buy for
- Check out charity shops
- Club together to buy quality gifts don’t just buy tat for the sake of it
- Get creative with DIY presents, using Pinterest for inspiration.
