MARTYN JAMES

YOUR CONSUMER RIGHTS CHAMPION

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NOW that 2026 is underway, it's time to face down your finances. You won't be alone either.

According to debt charity StepChange the first few weeks of January have seen unprecedented numbers of people getting in touch for help, including nearly 4,000 people on Christmas Day.

Let's be honest: no-one really enjoys going through their bills or making a budget. But it's important to do so - and even if you find you are in debt, it's possible to turn things around easily and for free.

What to do if you've overspent

Let's start with a quick fix! If you've ordered goods or services online then in most cases you have a 14-day window during which you can change your mind, cancel the purchase and return what you've bought.

So if you've got buyer's regret from the sales, just get in touch with the retailers and cancel the order.

Keep your budget basic

Confronting your spending can be depressing. So keep it brief when making a budget.