THE cost of living is encouraging us all to become more thrifty.

Christmas is the season for spending so it is a particularly pertinent time to put our resourcefulness into practice to avoid post-festive debt.

From April to March 2013 to 2014 Bradford and Airedale Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) dealt with over 3,000 clients and £16.2 million worth of debt.

"That number has slightly reduced, that is because of the way we record it but overall we are seeing an increasing amount of people coming in with debts and the debts they are coming in with are changing and becoming more urgent," says Alex Bohdanowicz, specialist services manager for Bradford and Airedale CAB.

Many are seeking help because they are unable to pay the basic essential bills such as Council Tax and rent on top of the credit debts they have.

"I think clearly that is the impact of the welfare cuts, wages not keeping up with inflation and the cost of living," says Alex.

With Christmas literally around the corner the prospect of present buying puts additional pressure on those who are already struggling to make ends meet.

"It is a huge pressure on people who are already on a very very strict budget. We understand children will want presents what we would say is sit down, take time to budget plan then work out essential things you will need before working out what you've got left."

Alex advises the more planning you put in the less likely you are to seek short term loans which could end up costing you much more.

Saddling yourself with more debt will only add to the misery. "Give yourself a Christmas present, set up a Credit Union savings account and get into the habit of putting something away," says Alex.

For those who are already struggling, the advice is never to ignore it but to seek help straight away. "Organisations like ours are there to help."

Alex says there is usually always a solution. "A way to make things better and take that help and advice as quickly as you can."

She says particularly at this time of year it is easy to start buying things and deal with the costs in the New Year. "But our busiest time is the first quarter after Christmas and some of that will be the impact that Christmas has pushed a very tight budget over the edge and it is a huge come down to have to deal with after Christmas."

Alex says Christmas is about spending time together as a family. "There are ways of celebrating and passing gifts - it is common now to make things for people."

Emma Hill agrees. Emma who runs Re-considered in Shipley recently teamed up with fellow entrepreneur Charlotte Furness from Fox and the Magpie, also in Shipley, to stage a non-profit event showcasing how people can cut the costs of Christmas.

'Christmas Re-considered,' held at the Kirkgate Community centre in Shipley on Sunday was aimed at showing people how re-using and recycling can be just as good, if not better, than buying new particularly if you are shopping on a budget.

"Every year people get sucked into this frenzy of spending more and more, buying loads of new stuff that they don't need, children are expecting to get mountains of brand new toys and gifts, people are getting into serious debt and it is destroying families," says Charlotte.

"We wanted to show people that there can be a different way. We want people to know that a secondhand (or 'vintage' as we like to call it) can be just as good as something new, we want to help people make alternative choices, rethink their resources. At our event we will be teaching people little tricks and hints to create handmade goodies that don't cost a fortune but are just as special, if not more special than the usual things they give."

Emma says the event, which attracted around 300 people, followed their business ethos which focuses on preventing waste and valuing materials we already have by looking at ways we can re-utilise things which can also go a long way to helping cut the cost of Christmas.

According to multi-channel retailer, QVC, it is estimated residents in Yorkshire and Humber will spend £780.16 on Christmas presents, entertaining, socialising, decorations as well as food and drink - more than any other region in the UK.

Emma says there are plenty of money-saving tips on websites but she also encourages people to explore their creative side too and consider setting a challenge to set a gift amount of a few pounds and see how creative you can be.

"It's just thinking out of the box a bit, taking a step back and thinking 'it is only one day don't get carried away.' People get pressured to buy the latest gadgets and it becomes really stressful but I think you need to focus on what is more important - time with the family," concludes Emma.

For more information contact: christmasconsidered@gmail.com or visit christmasreconsidered.co.uk