With Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) schemes and predatory loan sharks making it easier than ever to spend beyond their means, many shoppers risk entering 2026 already burdened by debt.

Matt Goulding, our CEO, said: "Christmas should be a time of joy, but for many it is a source of significant financial stress. Too many people will still be paying off last year's Christmas as they head into this year's Black Friday sales. It's a cycle that damages both finances and mental health.

We urge people to think differently – don’t be tempted by too-good-to-be-true loans or quick financial fixes, these could be decisions that will haunt you for months to come.”

We want to highlight the importance of regular savings to help build financial resilience and avoid turning to unsafe lending when pressures mount. Our members are supported to develop regular saving habits, which are rewarded by competitive annual returns. They can create separate savings pots to put money aside for expensive moments like Christmas, an annual holiday or a new family car. Our members also have access to ethical and affordable loans, a free Bereavement Fund and participation in the our lottery. A package of financial education tools, including the Commsave Educates app, packed with money management tips and advice, helps people learn how to manage their money and make better financial choices – a cornerstone of our approach to supporting long-term wellbeing.

With mobile, ‘ambient shopping’ having transformed the way consumers purchase goods – browsing and buying while completing other daily tasks – the temptation to overspend is greater than ever.

Matt adds: “The psychological distance between the act of spending and the financial impact of payment makes it dangerously easy to accumulate debt without feeling its burden. Loan sharks and unethical lenders prey on this desperation, offering quick fixes that come with punishing interest rates and unsustainable repayment terms.

Black Friday and Christmas are tests of our financial discipline. But they don't have to be. With careful spending decisions, safe savings options, and access to ethical credit when genuinely needed, people can get through the season without the stress and regret that follows.”