The Consumer Council Newsroom

The New Year Diet That Will Gain You Pounds

Monday 7 January 2013

 

The Consumer Council is encouraging all consumers to make one beneficial New Year’s resolution - overhaul your personal finances.  The Consumer Council has today (Monday, 7 January, 2013) launched its ‘New Year Diet that will gain you pounds’ campaign. 

The month long campaign aimed at putting money back in consumers’ pockets will feature advice and information on four themes: Personal Finance, Energy, Transport and Fuel and Food.  Every Monday in January (7, 14, 21 and 28 January) the Consumer Council will issue advice on how to save money on each theme. 

Antoinette McKeown, Chief Executive of the Consumer Council said: “The Consumer Council believes its ‘New Year Diet that will gain you pounds’ campaign is exactly what consumers need to begin 2013.  We all know January can be a stressful and frugal month but the Consumer Council is here to help.  Today is the day to stop and take stock of your finances.  For the month of January, commit to making positive changes on how you manage your money. 

“Our research has found that half of the population is worried about making ends meet with one in five stating that keeping up with finances was a constant struggle.  This struggle is more apparent in January but with the information and advice made available through this campaign, consumers can take back control of their finances.  They can make positive changes, for example, organise their outgoings, get the best financial product that suits their needs and save on utility and fuel bills.  

“During the month long campaign we will be distributing the Consumer Council’s ‘Spending Diary’[i].  This simple to use pocket size diary will help you keep track of what’s coming in and going out on a daily and weekly basis.  Research shows that consumers spend £33 a week on items they cannot account for, that’s an unaccountable £1,716 each year.  Making small steps to curb your spending can reap large benefits.  To get your free ‘Spending Diary’ contact our Consumer Support team on 0800 121 6022”. 

ENDS

1. Consumer Council media contact: Gráinne Magennis, telephone 028  9067 4813/079 2018 7308, gmagennis@consumercouncil.org.uk   
2. The Consumer Council is an independent consumer organisation, working to bring about change to benefit Northern Ireland’s consumers. The Council campaigns for high standards of service and protection and a fair deal for all. It also carries out research, gives advice and publishes reports and other publications. It deals with individual complaints about buses, trains, planes, ferries, natural gas, electricity, coal and water.
3. For more information, visit www.consumercouncil.org.ukor Facebook  The-Consumer-Council-Northern-Ireland/or Twitter ConsumerCouncil

Related Documents

• New Year Diet - Personal Finance Factsheet - 444.5KB OCX Document
• New Year Diet campaign - Energy Bills - Week 2 - 453.6KB OCX Document
• The New Year Diet - week 3 - Transport and fuel - 445.2KB OCX Document
• The New Year Diet - week 4 - food prices - 443.5KB OCX Document