Can you financially plan this December to save yourself from Januworries?  

Year-end festivities can be expensive. The strain on one’s monthly income around December is intense, as many fall into the trap of overspending. Getting paid early in December does not help the situation either. It just leaves you with 45 days before you see your next salary in January again.

But there are ways to safeguard oneself against the January financial blues.  Ocean Finance – a financial institution based in the UK – suggests a deep analysis of one’s financials before splurging on the December celebrations.

“There are plenty of ways to make better use of your finances this month, and they could be the start of long-term habits that allow you to improve your money management,” the institute states.

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But average South Africans have their own tried and tested way to get through the festive season, without shooting themselves in the foot for January.

Here’s how Team Citizen makes it through the silly season to January.

Some of us get it right. Others are still working it out.

Faizel Patel (Senior Digital Journalist): “Before December even comes around, I draw up two very strict budgets. One for December itself and one for January. The thing is, when you have young children in school, you will need cash – not just for the festivities but also for school registration fees, uniforms and stationery. I budget for these items first. Then I pay the usual monthly December bills (utilities, groceries, etc). With the money left over, I use this for the festive season,” he said.

Neo Sekai (Sub Editor): “I stay home as much as possible. I don’t subscribe so fervently to the ke Dezemba lifestyle. I budget for new clothes for Christmas for my daughter as well as New Year’s lunch. But that is about it. I find ways to keep the family entertained at home during all the festivities. It works like a charm.”

Amanda Watson (News Editor): “I have a lock-up system for my December salary that helps me to weather January. I take the portion that January requires and lock it away in a savings account, so it is not easily accessible. I also pay up bond payments early, so I don’t fall behind. Bonuses are usually used for the Christmas festivities.”

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Earl Coetzee (Digital Editor): “I treat December as any other month. It’s about perspective. When you don’t see it as ‘necessary festive expense’ – you stay aware of your monthly expenses. This helps to stay abreast of everything in January.”

Ayanda Sitole (Social Media Strategist): “I haven’t quite figured it out yet, but a bonus helps a lot with the Christmas expenses that pop up. That way, you don’t ‘overspend’.”

Gareth Cotterell (News Desk Editor): “I exercise as much discipline as possible when buying Christmas gifts. I keep it simple. This helps to not tap into the January portion of the monthly budget.”

Cheryl Kahla (Audience Strategist): “When it comes to gift-buying, the Secret Santa thing always helps. It helps us to set a budget and forces people to really look for something thoughtful or fun or quirky. We always do this. If impulsive spending is a problem, I freeze my credit card. Literally. I put it in a mason jar, filled with water and put it in the freezer.”

Narissa Subramoney (Deputy Editor): This savvy saver has a fool-proof plan that focusses on a strategy around gift buying, travel and holidaying, as well as a back-to-school plan. “I start with the December planning from as early as July,” she explains.

For a full rundown on Narissa’s festive season survival guide, click here.