Down To Business Christmas spending advice with John Lowe - The Money Doctor
Dec 13, 2025
Bobby chats with John Lowe, aka 'The Money Doctor', a financial journalist and adviser renowned for his practical money tips. John shares innovative ways to manage holiday budgets, like using Secret Santa to cap family spending. He emphasizes the value of non-monetary gifts and volunteering. Additionally, John explains tax-free employee vouchers and provides strategies for tackling post-Christmas overspending. He encourages building a savings habit and planning expenses across four categories. John also discusses smart investment options for better savings returns.
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Use Kris Kringle And Time Gifts
- Use a family Kris Kringle to set a single agreed spending limit for gifts to cut costs and stress.
- Offer non-monetary presents like regular visits or chores to save money and give meaningful gifts.
Use Tax-Free Vouchers For Staff
- Give employee vouchers up to €1,500 tax-free or adjust pay to provide the benefit tax-efficiently.
- Prefer vouchers because they no longer expire and preserve value for recipients.
Fix Overspending With Short-Term Transfers
- If you overspend, transfer credit-card balances to 0% balance-transfer offers or take a one-year credit-union loan.
- Avoid long-term loans and overdrafts; plan to repay within a year.
