Oh, for heaven’s sake, is it still January? After the festive season most of us are left with a deflated bank account or inflated credit card balance, not so?
Truth is, January holds the undisputed title for being the most unforgiving month of the year when festive season overspending and merriment comes back to haunt us!
Here’s the thing, in the lead up to the “big day”, festive season parties are being pencilled in left right and centre. (And, of course, it’s a no-brainer, we all need new clothes for that!) December lunches with friends and colleagues means that eating out becomes the norm, and naturally there’s gifts for friends, family, and the person you got for secret Santa. All of this – and that’s not even mentioning the gammon and trimmings for the Christmas lunch yet! Also, the fact that most of us get paid early before the festive season means five or six weeks between the December and January payday, brutal!
But, since we started 2018 off on a positive note, we reckon it’s possible to survive the next few weeks of "Januworry".
Here’s How:
Check how much money you have left. The truth may be terrifying, but work out how much you have to spend each day from now to payday, and stick to that. Try not to panic if it doesn’t make for pretty reading!
Avoid taking out a short-term loan if possible. This will just mean more debt next month.
Leave the plastics at home. Use cash, it’s much easier to budget when the money is in your hands.
Sell something. “One man’s trash is another man’s gold”, as they say. Items that you no longer need or want could earn you some extra cash.
Avoid the January Sales. Seriously, stay away from the shops.
Cut back on luxuries. That means no takeaway coffees, no bars of chocolate and no mid-week bottles of wine. Ask yourself if you really need whatever it is you’re tempted to buy. If you can’t answer a truthful yes, let it go.
Raid the freezer and the pantry. Have some “eclectic” soups and stews. Use your pantry staples. Try a plain pasta with butter, parmesan and a few chopped herbs for a delicious meal. Don’t forget to celebrate National Peanut Day on the 24th of January – a tongue in cheek day to celebrate the last of the last in the cupboard!
Pack your own lunch. Make a larger portion of your evening meal and take the leftovers to work the following day. Or, share the pain – a loaf of bread and a dozen eggs between two people could go a long way; no doubt that your colleagues are probably in the same boat as you, so suggest a lunch club for the rest of January.
Take the bus or carpool. Hitching a ride with a co-worker or taking the bus for the last few weeks of January could be a lifesaver.
Take the coppers to the bank. Desperate times calls for desperate measures, right? If you’ve been saving all your coppers of 2017, start counting, you might surprise yourself with enough money for the essentials.
Make your own cleaning products. Most homemade cleaning involves bicarb and vinegar. It’s eco-friendly, non-toxic and wallet-friendly. So, get mixing and scrubbing!
Think about it, the shortest month is around the corner! Hang in there folks; stay strong, you’re almost there.
Source: www.overgroundonline.com, www.lovemoney.com, www.irishtimes.com, moneyaware.co.uk, www.budgetinsurance.com, www.food24.com, senatorcounsellors.co.za, www.thinkmoney.co.uk, www.frontlineinsurance.co.za, umagazine.ie, www.ukcredit.co.uk
DISCLAIMER: The information on this website is for educational purposes only, and is not intended as medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. If you are experiencing symptoms or need health advice, please consult a healthcare professional.
