It needn't be all doom and gloom however as the January sales provide a little light relief; cheap international call provider, Firstnumber.co.uk, being no exception.
Firstnumber currently offers over 250 access codes that allow consumers and businesses alike to make cheap calls from mobiles. Company spokesperson Andy Steele hopes Firstnumber's January Sale will help cash strapped consumers keep in touch with family and friends during 2011.
Steele states: “January is a tricky time for everyone in terms of getting back on our feet financially after the traditional Christmas spend. Tightening your belt on luxury goods or unnecessary treats is one thing but nobody should have to forego speaking to family and friends in order to stay in the black.
“This was the inspiration for our January Sale where we've further discounted over 50 of our most popular destinations, which now makes it even cheaper to call abroad. Some destinations have even been discounted by up to 25p a minute whilst many others start from as little as 1p per minute.”
Direct dial access codes work by placing a designated code in front of the number you wish to call. The code then applies a discounted rate allowing users to call destinations such as Australia from as little as 1p a minute.
Some of the biggest savings include calls to the Democratic Republic of Congo where phone users can save £22.50 on a 30 minute call or £15 on a one hour call to Cuba.