The possibility of people getting into debt is a concern to budget advisers following the GST increase to 15 per cent on Friday.

Whakatane Budget Advisory Service coordinator June Goodhew is concerned that professional services will take this opportunity to raise their prices.
'I think the worrying thing is not so much the retail, but professional services may increase their charges more than the 2.5 per cent,” says June.
'They may use this as a stepping stone and hope people don't question it.”
She says one service has already increased costs above the GST-increased margin.
'We heard of a local dentist who had charged 12 per cent over the previous procedure. When questioned why, they said all extra costs were going up.”
Noeleen Hill from the Whakatane Denture Clinic says its prices will go up only to accommodate the GST rise only from October. Prices have not been increased by 12 per cent.
'When the prices of our equipment go up, prices might be adjusted, but we haven't put them up for some time.”
She says only dental work that is booked from October 1 will be charged with the new GST price.
'For example, a reline with the new GST charge will cost $204.48, however, I have rounded it up to $204.50.”
Eastbay Dental Centre says prices will also only rise by 2.5 per cent in October. A spokesperson says prices were increased minimally a few months ago, but that was not to accommodate the GST increase.
June says people need to be aware of exactly how much costs will be going up so they don't get into financial trouble.
'People have to be aware if it's $100; it's only going up to $102.50.”
GST rising to 15 per cent from 12.5 per cent is to be balanced out with tax cuts, which means higher wage cheques and benefits.
June says the concern is some people won't consider their increased income has to pay for the increased price of goods.
'People get increased money, they will use that straight away and they won't be aware the cost of living has gone up.
'Quite a lot of people in society spend their money every week – they don't bother to insure things.”
June says people need to plan to keep their impulse spending down so they have money for the expected once or twice-yearly expenses.
'All I can say is, pay off your credit cards and your loans as much as you possibly can, consolidate, and keep within your income as much as you can.”