Most of the time, the bonus money is deposited in your bank account during December.
You then make plans to have an exciting festive season.
Buying clothing and nice food makes it to the top of the list, so that you can have a Merry Christmas.
The sound of bottle popping tempts you, while attending the parties and braais, is the order of the day.
You watch the fireworks colour the sky on December 31, while you keep the high hopes for the new year in mind.
Then January sets in and so the panic begins, because you soon realise, you forgot the new uniform, school fees and stationery.
You also forgot that January requires additional transport fee and lunch money for your little ones.
Already, that means you’ll have started the new year on a bad foot.
So plan your spending before getting caught up in the excitement – and make these essentials a priority before Christmas.
While saving the money to buy those things in January, remember that other unexpected expenses always crop up.
