Our tip for today is pay this months’ credit card and utility bills either online, by phone, at the post office or at you bank. Why? Because the regional postal strikes are extensively delaying postal deliveries and it’s set to become much worse.

If you usually pay your bills by post, there’s a strong possibility that your payment will arrive late. That means that your credit cards will charge you a late payment fee and that late payment will find its way onto your credit rating. So you face a two way hit.

Local postal strikes have been happening since June but a national strike is now on the cards after the Communication Workers Union balloted its members on strike action over conditions and pay.