Does anyone save for Xmas with Park?

skypie123_2

Or any other Xmas saving schemes?
I did save with Park last year but forgot to do it this year.
Can anyone recommend anyone other than Park?

Caroline_a

Highest interest savings account you can find. Probably a lot cheaper and better than Park!

Jojo_the_Tightfisted

No. They're extortionate.

And after the last lot went down because the parent company decided they would take all the money out to prop up a failing part of the group, I wouldn't touch any of them with somebody else's bargepole.

claire16c

Why risk your money with a company like that when you could just put it in a savings account?

kingfisherblue

I save in a Credit Union - much cheaper than Park, and I can choose where to spend my money without being dictated to (Park have vouchers for a large number of shops, I know, but what if you want to buy from local shops that are not part of a chain?)

Decide how much you want to save in total, and how often you will put the money away (weekly or monthly?). You might be able to set up a monthly standing order to a CU, and you definitely can with most savings accounts. If you are saving weekly, take the money out and don't keep it in your purse. Take it to the CU as soon as you can.

My daughter leaves her CU book with me so that she can't be tempted when she is skint

We both receive dividends early in the New Year. I know it isn't as much as a high interest account, but it works for us.

Ames

+1 for a credit union. Mine is £5 per month unwaged and (I think) £20 per month waged (could be £10) minimum. Direct debit on the first of the month, no hassle.

tealady

Another vote for a credit union. Mine came up trumps with a short term loan as well when I had a bit of a financial crisis.

Alias_Omega

I had years & years as a child of receiving "Shop Vouchers" as christmas presents.

An absolulte waste of time. I hated them with a passion, I was limited to where I could shop. Forced to use the whole voucher as not alot of change was given on them. Probably only spent them for the loose change received.

Pretty much all the goods I purchase, are purchased online. Mainly as they are cheaper. I would not force the children to shop at HMV etc, when Play/eBay/Amazon/iTunes are cheaper.

Was all linked into the Park/Provident Schemes.

USM

I may be missing something obvious but why wouldn't you just put the money in a tax free ISA or high interest savings account?

onlyroz

Or there's the good old loose change jar. I've got a money jar that counts the coins as they go in, and has a digital display with how much is in there. Managed to tot up £150 so far, which will cover all the Christmas food and alcohol.