Many people start off the new year broke, complaining of not having money in their accounts while counting the remaining days January will end even in the first week, waiting for their salary to drop. They keep waiting and of course, they have no choice but to wait till salary day especially when they don't have any other source of income. For some, they resort to taking a loan to survive which to me, I find it not ideal to begin the year taking a loan and being in debt.
No judgment here but it is what I wouldn't do. Well, I haven't done it before to start the new year borrowing. There is this common misconception that when you start a new year borrowing money, you will do that till the end of the year and that's the result of poor money management. If one doesn't plan well with money, they struggle hard to feed and survive. This is more reason we have always been advised to learn how to manage money.
For some people, they see the end of the year, December precisely, as a time to spend extravagantly and enjoy the Christmas party till they are left with nothing only to wake up the new year and start waiting for the end of the month to have money again. They are the category of those who complain that January is always a month full of longer days. January is just like every other month that has 31 days in it, so why are they now lamenting as if they don't know it already.
I understand those who have families to cater for, like a married man who would want to satisfy his wife and kids. But it still boils down to cutting your coat according to your size. This is why I value wives who support their husbands and not pushing all responsibilities on them because why? He is the head of the family!
I have never complained of a long January before and never have I been broke at the start of the year because of how I plan and manage myself during the Christmas period especially when it has to do with travelling home, gifting relatives and all sorts. Like last year, my siblings and I planned it well (the power of teamwork) and everything went smoothly. I have always told my siblings not to go beyond their ability, not to do more than what they are and no one will definitely force me to spend beyond what I have planned.
One thing I always do with my budgeting is having different money for different purposes and last year was no exception. I have set aside money to be spent at home, one to be contributed for family support by buying lots of foodstuffs at home that will last till the festive period and I spared a certain amount for the start of the new year.
It all begins with proper planning and being cautious of what you spend money on. I was careful with the plans I had with my money and those I needed to give and not give. It made it easier not to touch the savings for January this year and I was able to live and enjoy myself without being broke.
For this year also, I won't lose guard at all. My siblings and I have been planning since August on how to go about loading foodstuffs that will last till Christmas and New Year and still would remain for our Dad, and it was easy to divide the responsibilities into 3 parts of which we were able to attend to. I have set aside money for next year January, one that will be enough to sustain me so I don't go broke making me start borrowing money.
Both images are mine
