All this is part of the merrymaking spirit of the season. But it is important to make merry reasonably so that you don’t come up with the sad but interesting description of January as the “90 days of January 2022” after the festive season.
It is human nature to live in the future while in the present and this is also true of your spending habits especially when you spend tomorrow’s money today. In the festive season, you tend to spending January’s money along with the December’s money; therefore, ending up in debt.
You spend as if the year has come to an end or so is your life. Be different this festive season and live in the present while planning for the future.
Not to spoil your Christmas mood, but remember you are just recovering from the serious financial ditch the Covid-19 lockdown had put you through; for others, you have children who have outgrown their school uniforms and shoes in the past two years they have been at home yet schools might reopen in the year 2022 which means they need new school supplies, not forgetting school fees.
All I am saying is that as you enjoy this festive season, do not forget to secure your future happiness for January 2022. In order for you to enjoy the season, you may need to apply some of these festive season saving tips; they have worked for me over the years and it would be selfish of me to share them.
Prepare two budgets: I recommend that you make two budgets one for December, 2021 and another for January 2022. As you make your budget be exhaustive and to the detail. This will help you visualize where to prioritize your spending. For example, new dress or Christmas versus new school uniform for two years.
Give the greatest gift ever: Your time, you see as the days get nearer to Christmas everything becomes expensive including fuel, transport, food stuffs, etc. Only one commodity remains non-inflated, that is time.
Time is a very valuable and priceless gift. Instead of sending money and boxes of everything to your parents in the village who you have not seen in years maybe you can consider visiting them while maintaining the Covid-19 SOPs or even after being vaccinated. Go and spend free time with them, be physical, laugh with them, pray together, and just enjoy the season without spending a lot yet creating many memories.
Analyze this gifting thing: Disclaimer, I am not a supporter of the SWAU (Stingy Women’s Association Uganda), but I am a being realistic here. Make a list of the people you want to bless with gifts this season. Then analyze it and cut it down to five people who MUST be on that list because of your personal reasons. For the rest, go to a bookshop and buy a dozen of Christmas Cards and send them cards.
Secret Santa gifting: I am sorry, reader, if you have more than three WhatsApp groups or social groups that you belong to where Secret Santa has been planned and you had not put it in your annual budget, please make a diplomatic exclusion of yourself from Secret “Santa- ring”.
Usually you are spending money on people you don’t know; they may not even be your friends but, rather, your acquaintances. I don’t mean to sound rude but really why are you doing that?
Lastly, and greatest tip that always works for me during the festive season and it then ensures I smile my way into a stress-free January is, clearing 70% of my January budget using my December income and then use 30% of December income for December spending.
Now you get the most pressing needs of January and clear them in December; for example, rent, part/full payment of school fees for your children, bulk shopping to take you through December, January and February, purchasing scholastic materials or any other things that you may consider pressing for January.
Try these tips and thank me later.
cyrstalmind@gmail.com
The author is a business transformation coach and CEO CrystalMind Motivation Ltd