Credit crunch Christmas

Jesus, I am told, was born of lowly birth, in a stable, because despite having a trade and being a reasonably proficient carpenter, his dad didn't realise all the hotels would be booked up at Christmas, and as a result, his son, son of God or not, was born in a stable. he did quite well out of the baby shower, with Gold, frankincense and Mirh, but little by way of practical gifts like nappies or Johnson's baby lotion.

He would however have I am sure, empathised with my financial predicament this year. My children, wife and extended family are doubtless expecting expensive presents, as ever for Christmas. To be fair my children and wife usually fair reasonably well, whilst my siblings and their offspring get a token gift, befitting of the Christmas Spirit. I never received lavish gifts as a kid, and to be honest I can't afford to give them most years - I have a big extended family, so they all get a bottle of wine, a tin of biscuits or some chocolates or some such token gesture

This has been affordable most years, although some expect more I'm sure. The Problem is that the all believe I am wealthy. A Police Officer earns loads. Well, truth be known we don't. On the surface we do, but try getting your partner a job that fits around you shifts and school hours. So effectively you become the sole earner for the family. If both Jennifer and I earned £25000 a year we'd be better off than the £31000 I earn on my own. Take away 11% of that in pension contributions, and it starts to look even less appealing. A basic month with no overtime brings around £1800 into the household finances and with £1000 a month spent on the mortgage, two cars to run, electric, gas, water, council tax etc it is only overtime that keeps the wolf from the door.

Now for the past six or seven years we have been paid a one off annual Special Priority Payment. This is supposed to compensate for working 24/7 shifts, having your life disrupted by shifts swinging around to start at 4 a.m. for industrial disputes for example, or dealing with dead bodies in pieces after an accident. It;s an over and above the call of duty payment, which officers working 9 to 5 and getting every weekend off, and always being off on time don't get. It make sup for the regular 1/2 hour unpaid overtime we do at the end of every shift, plus the 1/2 hour most of us put in at the start of a shift too.

For the last 6 or 7 years this payment has averaged £1600 and provided a welcome bonus at Christmas to settle the credit cards, or pay for next years holiday, or simply to make an extra months payment on the mortgage. And it has always been tax free.

Well guess what? This year the Government has reneged on the deal (no surprise there then) and we have been capped at £500, which they have then taxed. The end result is I am now skint for Christmas and will be having sausages and a SmartPrice Malt Loaf instead of the Turkey and Christmas Pudding i had planned on.

And regrettably, the extended family will get a Christmas Card and no presents. Times are hard, but my immediate family must come first, and my priority remains paying off my mortgage before I retire. Although to be fair to the Government they have helped me out there....... I am unlikely to be able to afford to retire now until I am 67, so I have longer to pay. Thanks.