How soon is too soon when it comes to thinking about Christmas and your finances?
The answer, of course, is that it is never too soon. Save early and the cost becomes more manageable.
The squeeze is harder for some than others, with charity Barnardo's warning that some parents will skip meals so their kids get a Christmas dinner with the trimmings.
But, debt advice charity StepChange is offering tips to everyone, to avoid Christmas spending leading to a financially painful new year.
The best way to avoid a difficult January, it says, is to make a realistic plan before the spending begins.