A mum who is struggling to get by due to her tight budget has revealed that she’s unable to afford Christmas – and says she feels like she’s “let down” her son.
Michaela Playford, 32, used to love splashing out on the festive season, often spending £500 on presents alone, as it’s her “favourite time of the year”.
But now, due to the cost of living crisis, the mum has found herself struggling to make ends meet and has had to make sacrifices to ensure she and her family are able to survive.
The insurance accounts handler has stopped visiting family, as the travel costs too much, and hasn’t bought any new clothes or shoes for her, or her family, in over a year.
And with Christmas less than six weeks away, Michaela has had to make further cutbacks, including buying secondhand gifts for her son, TJ, five, and asking her family to bring the food for the big day.
“I wish I could give my son the world, but I can barely give him what he needs this year – I feel like I’ve let him down,” Michaela, from c, told NeedToKnow.co.uk.
“He’s asked for a Nintendo Switch and iPad this year from Santa and I wish I could get him these things, as he doesn’t ask for a lot, but I can’t stretch my budget anymore.
“He will have far less this Christmas and I’ve tried to buy inexpensive small presents to make the money go further.
“TJ will get some secondhand clothes, cheap toys, and maybe some sweets, and I’ve gone to charity shops and places like Poundland for these items.
“But it’s been very hard for me not to spend as much as I would like, as he deserves the world.
“I miss being able to see my family and friends, as well as do all the things we used to love doing – it feels like we’re working to survive now, not to live.”
Michaela and her husband, Roger, 45, were living “comfortably” before the cost of living boomed – but soon, they were left fearful about their strained future ahead.
She said: “I worried about being able to afford putting fuel in my car to drive to and from work to earn a living, as well as our electricity bill.
“I thought at one point that we wouldn’t be able to afford the basic food needed to survive.
“We also had to move house as it was too expensive, but then our rent increased by £300, putting more strain on our worries.
“Our food shop is only the non-branded items now, no treats, and we’ve not eaten out or had a takeaway for so long.
“When it’s the school holidays, I have to stay inside and find something for me and TJ to do, as everything costs too much, even locally.
“It’s been a very mentally tough year.”
Michaela, who has just £80 to spend on her entire family for the festive season, has been using TopCashback where possible to claim back on her purchases.
In total, she has earned over £180 so far, which will be put towards her day-to-day living costs – and if there’s any spare, toward an extra present for her son.
She added: “He’s too young to understand and will be grateful for anything he receives.“It’s me that feels bad for not being able to give him more.
“I would love to be able to take TJ to see Santa or go to Christmas grottos, but they cost too much.
“I feel anxious and sad that I won’t be able to provide a ‘special’ day for my family, and I’m worried about winter costs too.
“Our oil tank is nearly empty and it’s going to cost up to £400 to put enough in, and this will need doing before Christmas.
“It’s just another expense to make this season even tighter.
“We both work full-time to support our family – and we don’t spend on things we don’t need, like drinking and smoking.
“Yet, we still barely get by.
“You never want to feel like you can’t give your child what they deserve and that’s how I feel this year.
“I spend as much as I can afford so that Christmas is everything it should be, but this time, I have nothing left to spare.”
Speaking about the current financial struggles many are facing, Adam Bullock, UK Director at TopCashback, said: “Christmas should be a joyous time of year to celebrate with friends and family.
“But it’s upsetting to see how many people are worrying about the cost right now and are planning to miss out on precious family time as a result.
“There are simple changes that can be made to help keep costs down – whether that’s swapping turkey for roast chicken or setting a small budget for gifts.
“It pays to start thinking about Christmas savings earlier too, so whether you’re looking for discount codes, making use of cashback, or using brand loyalty schemes; all these things soon add up and mean you can get more out of your celebrations this year.”
FACT BOX: MONEY-SAVING TIPS FOR CHRISTMAS
In an effort to help struggling families, Topcashback has shared some tips for saving cash this Christmas.
GET CREATIVE
“Although it can sometimes be difficult to find the time, preparing homemade gifts or decorations can be a great money saver and a fun way to spend time with family.
“Get creative with what you have lying around the house and if you get stuck for ideas, use free YouTube tutorials for inspiration.
“If crafts aren’t your thing, you could also try cooking – a warm treat could be a personal way to show your loved ones that you care – without chipping away at your savings.”
STAY ON TOP OF DEALS
“In the lead-up to Christmas, there are plenty of deals to help reduce the cost of seasonal spending, so it’s important to browse before you buy.
“Pay attention to mega deals and discounts and set reminders for upcoming events such as Black Friday and Cyber Monday.
“These sales provide a great chance to buy Christmas essentials at a reduced rate.
“Make sure you aren’t missing out on any great offers by using loyalty cards – they’re free to get and can cut costs drastically.
“Plus, retailers will often send you exclusive discounts so you can multiply those savings.”
CREATE A LIST & BE PREPARED
“It can be tempting to overspend at Christmas with lots of festive gift sets and goodies on offer – but don’t get swept up into buying products that you don’t need.
“A good way to stay on track is to create a list of everything you’d like to buy and make sure you stick to it.
“This way you will know exactly what you need and how much you are going to spend.”
SWAPS CAN SAVE YOU MONEY
“Don’t get caught out on brand names – while they’re well-known, they may not be the best option for you and your budget.
“Swapping to a supermarket’s own brand for Christmas food is an effortless way to cut costs.
“You can also get clever with your gift-giving and keep an eye out for product dupes – there are almost always cheaper alternatives that work just as well (or even better) for a fraction of the price.”
FOCUS ON FAMILY
“Typically, there’s a lot to buy at Christmas, from gifts to decorations and food – but remember, it’s not about the finest decor or the biggest tree, but the experience of Christmas.
“Try not to feel guilt or worry about not having enough money to have an extravagant Christmas this year.
“Keep in mind the original purpose and message of Christmas – togetherness, hope and love.”
