SALFORD, UK. November 25th, 2025 – Money Wellness has launched a free interactive Christmas Debt Calculator, which shows exactly how long festive borrowing could take to repay and how much interest it might cost.
The calculator – available at www.moneywellness.com/christmas-debt-calculator – is quick and easy to use. Shoppers enter their Christmas spend and credit card repayment details, and the tool instantly shows how long debt will take to clear, total interest paid, how much could be saved by increasing repayments and a visual timeline of spending versus interest.
Money Wellness’ data shows borrowing is rising sharply as households struggle to cover costs. 60% of customers now carry credit card debt, with an average of £5,000 (up from 57% and £4,000 last year), while the number of people seeking debt help with BNPL debts had increased by 44% over the past 12 months. October 2025 saw the highest-ever number of BNPL help requests and a further surge is expected in January and February 2026 as festive borrowing catches up.
With bills still high, some households have little choice but to borrow, often using minimum repayments, which can stretch debt for years.
For example, a typical household putting £1,000 of Christmas spending on a credit card at 29.9% APR and paying only the 3% minimum each month could take 8-10 years to repay, with total interest of around £700-£1,000.
Sebrina McCullough, External Affairs Director at Money Wellness, said: “Black Friday is nearly here, and lots of people are getting ready to spend on presents, food, travel, and decorations. But with household bills still high, many are being forced to rely on credit cards or Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) to cover festive spending – and some could be paying off this year’s Christmas debt well into the 2030s.
“The problem is the interest, especially if you can only afford minimum repayments.
“Our calculator gives people a clear, personalised picture of how long Christmas spending could take to clear. It’s simple, practical, and designed to help people make informed decisions before the shopping rush begins.
“If anyone is worried about money or struggling with credit cards, BNPL, or other bills, we’re here to help and our support is completely free.”
The Christmas Debt Calculator allows users to get a real-time total of Christmas spending, enter APR and repayment details, see a debt timeline showing how long repayments will take, compare total interest and savings if repayments are increased, and access practical cost-cutting tips and free debt advice.
Try the free calculator at www.moneywellness.com/christmas-debt-calculator
ENDS