My pal has fallen into the payday loan trap to bankroll her family’s Christmas. How do I help her?

A friend of mine is a single parent who works part-time.

She gets some money from her ex but mainly brings up her three kids on her own.

I know she has struggled to get them the things they want for Christmas as they are all teenagers wanting the latest gear.

I know she took out a payday loan for some of it and I’m worried that the interest on it will start to mount up in the New Year.

She says she may need to go to a food bank as she will run out of money but she feels embarrassed about it and I’m concerned that she won’t go and the kids will suffer.

I help with what I can but she is a proud woman so I don’t like to push it too much.

How can I encourage her to swallow her pride and go and get the help she needs?

The interest rates charged are ridiculous and it’s so easy to get into a downward spiral of crushing debt.

It might be a good idea to suggest to her that she goes to her local bank and asks for an appointment to discuss her financial problems with an expert.

If she could secure a bank loan to pay off all her debts in a manageable way each month this might help.

She also needs to learn to budget carefully and to say “no” to the demands of her teenage children.

It’s time for her to be honest with them and explain the situation – that the mummy “money tree” is struggling and they have a part to play in helping by understanding they can’t have everything they want.

I hope it works out for your friend.

Your emotional support of her at this time will mean a lot – just knowing she has someone she can trust to talk to is important.

And when you visit – why not take some “bargains” you’ve spotted in the supermarket as a little gift?