Hard lines for many families at Christmas

Some Palmerston North families will have a $2 shop Christmas this year.

Manawatu Home Budgeting Service manager Lynley Boyd said that this Christmas is going to be tough for a lot of families.

"The cost of food is the big issue this year. People are having to borrow money just to pay their power bills let alone paying for presents," said Mrs Boyd.

Mrs Boyd said that she saw too many people who needed help, who had been sucked into loan shark traps.

Six weeks ago the service had to create a waiting list because of growing numbers.

"It has always been more than we can handle, and now we have to make people wait."

The best piece of advice she could offer families who are struggling was to not spend money before you have it.

Manawatu Home Budgeting Service Inc is at 5 Pitt St, Palmerston North and can be contacted on 063582279.

- © Fairfax NZ News