The cost of entertaining visitors can leave some Central residents feeling the financial squeeze and unable to pay the bills after the Christmas period.

Living in a popular holiday destination may seem attractive, but for some, it’s not so attractive when the credit card bills for December and January come in after the entertaining is done.

Central Otago Budgeting Services (COBS) co-ordinator Pam Hughes said spending too much when visitors are staying is a common problem.

“Family and friends visiting add extra costs to be met in the New Year. 

“There’s a lot of people asking themselves how they’re now going to pay for their kids going back to school, buying books, uniforms, that's the biggest issue facing many families,” Pam said.

She said many people are unaware of what help there is for those left short after Christmas. This extends to how to access the support available for people who are struggling. 

“It’s not just beneficiaries. It’s low-income people who don’t know how to check whether or not they’re entitled to any support, which could be accommodation support, disabilities support and help like that,” she said.

“A lot of it is because they think that because they’re working, they are not entitled to anything. It’s the working poor, I suppose.

“People can just do a quick calculation and find out just what help there is, even if they’re working.” 

Pam recommends people go to the Work and Income New Zealand (WINZ) website and see what their entitlement is or make contact with COBS for advice.

“We find that we’re helping a lot of people make contact and register for work and income support depending on their situation.”

For help, contact COBS, their budgeting advice service is free.