Across the world, Christmas has become a season of joy and pressure in equal measure.
As energy, food, and housing costs continue to rise, families everywhere are tightening their budgets – and for many, the holiday period can turn a fragile financial balance into debt overload.
But in New Zealand, one loan company is taking a different approach. Instead of encouraging people to borrow more, Loan Direct is helping them reshape what they already owe — unlocking hundreds, and sometimes thousands, of dollars in extra breathing room just in time for the festive season.
When the Holidays Hit the Budget Hard
The final quarter of the year is always financially intense. Travel, family gatherings, food, and gifts combine with existing commitments such as rent, mortgages, and personal loans. For those already carrying debt, that mix can be overwhelming.
Corby Price, a financial adviser at Loan Direct, says most clients initially contact his team looking for a top-up loan to “get through Christmas.” But when his advisers examine the numbers, they often find the issue isn’t overspending – it’s the structure of their current loans.
“People think they need new credit when, in reality, their existing loans are just working against them,” explains Price. “By restructuring those loans, we can often reduce repayments by $100 to $400 a week. That frees up money they can use for holiday expenses without adding new debt.”
Restructuring Instead of Re-Borrowing
Loan Direct specialises in helping clients consolidate loans into a single, low cost repayments.
One of their clients, Aroha, came to Loan Direct behind on her mortgage and juggling three high-interest personal loans. Her goal was simply to “survive December.”
After reviewing her loans, Loan Direct created a new structure that cleared arrears, merged her debts, and lowered weekly payments by nearly $300.
Another borrower, Nyasha, requested a $1,500 top-up for family education costs. A closer review found multiple loans with overlapping payments. By restructuring, Loan Direct cut his repayments by $85 per week and provided the extra cash needed.
A Growing Need for Smarter Lending
The timing of Loan Direct’s message couldn’t be more relevant. Inflationary pressures, higher borrowing costs, and stagnant wages are squeezing households worldwide. In New Zealand, credit reporting agency Centrix recently found that nearly one in ten personal-loan customers is behind on repayments.
Against this backdrop, Financial Advisors like Price argue “The goal isn’t to stop people from borrowing altogether,” he says. “It’s to make sure what they borrow – and what they already owe – is set up to work in their favour.”
Loan Direct’s team conducts free loan assessments, giving borrowers a detailed view of their current commitments and options for improvement. While the service is based in New Zealand, the principle applies globally: reviewing loan terms once a year can prevent over-borrowing and help households stay resilient.
Three Steps to Creating Breathing Room Before Christmas
Loan Direct’s approach can be summarised in three simple steps any borrower can follow:
- Review all current debts. List balances, interest rates, and repayment terms.
- Use a loan repayment calculator. Experiment with different terms to see how a longer repayment period could reduce monthly outgoings.
- Ask for a loan assessment or quote. A brief consultation with your lender or broker can reveal whether consolidating or restructuring existing loans could lower costs.
In many cases, clients discover they can reduce their total repayments by several hundred each month — money that can go toward travel, savings, or simply enjoying the holiday season without guilt.
A Financial Safety Valve for the Festive Season
The emotional value of this relief is as significant as the financial. “When people stop worrying about whether they can afford Christmas,” says Price, “they’re able to reconnect with what the season should be about — family, rest, and gratitude.”
About Loan Direct
Loan Direct is a New Zealand–based financial advice company specialising in debt consolidation and loan restructuring. The company has helped thousands of clients reduce repayments, simplify debt, and regain financial confidence through smart, sustainable lending solutions.
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