Salary sacrifice purchases: things to consider before signing up

Employer-provided schemes can seem like a lifeline if you need to replace a fridge or mobile phone, but the extra debt could create, not ease, financial difficulties

• A salary sacrifice scheme is an agreement where an employee gives up some of their earnings in return for a non-cash benefit
• NHS staff can access a range of products through salary sacrifice schemes, including cars, white goods, mobile phones and computers
• The RCN warns that some staff struggle as a result of extra debt incurred using the schemes. Find out what you need to weigh up, plus where to go if you need support

Jen was a single parent working as a newly qualified community