Unlike our nursery rhyme – ‘Thirty days has September’, we are not sure how many days January has after festive periods.
However, in all our speculations, we know that its days are definitely not less than 30 days.
Being the first month after the festive season, it comes with accommodation fees, school fees, renewal charges, and house maintenance charges as well. A lot of people usually go into January broke or end up being broke in January because they get carried away by the celebrations of the yuletide season.
Planning for January with the same energy used for Christmas planning makes January one of the best months of the year.
Sometimes, these issues of January are avoidable and other times it is not. Entering a new year with complaints will surely disorganise the positive energy for the year at one point.
When Confucius said ‘A man who does not plan long ahead will find trouble at his door’; he was talking about those without plans for January. Proper planning will always save a lot of rain on rainy days.
Below are some thought-out tips for surviving January financially:
- Buy foodstuffs and groceries in bulk. In years to come, buying foodstuffs and groceries will always be a huge relief to us. From being cheaper because of cost reduction per unit to saving transportation fees and time, it saves us from a lot of unknowns. However, it’s one thing to buy things in bulk and another to know which groceries are to be bought in bulk to avoid spoilage and waste of money. Be wise even though it’s bulk buying.
- Have a budget and be intentional about it. Put everything tagged January finances on a budget. To financially survive January, attaining financial stability is a major aim. And this financial stability can be gotten through a well-planned budget. Creating and intentionally following a budget will help you control your spending, know when your expenses are becoming too much, differentiate between financial needs and wants, and in the long run, save some cool cash.
- Scan through January’s events and place them in the order of priority. We know all events are important but think about how much is really spent while preparing for an event. If you’re a lady, it’s two times the normal budget. From makeup, t-fare and probably getting new outfit(s). Imagine doing this all for at least two events in the same January you’re trying to survive financially. Rank your events properly so you don’t miss the important ones.
- Sell some valuables you don’t need. Of course, we mean liabilities. January is the best time to do that. Instead of keeping them without hope of using them in the future while they depreciate in value, thrift them. From household appliances to clothes, books, accessories, etc., some items just need to leave your space, and in exchange for money.
- Postpone all luxuries and wants till the end of January. Luxuries can wait, wants can wait but needs cannot wait. Survive on the memories of the enjoyment of December while you work towards February. Use the period to make a list of luxuries and wants your love, a list that you can hold on to.
- Be really serious at work and to work. Can you imagine how painful it is to know you won’t be getting your full January salary after cutting down your expenses for the month? Sad! Just don’t take any chances and cut slacks especially if you don’t have a side hustle or a reliable one yet.
A Wiseman said failing to plan is planning to fail. Plan and work towards it. It’s not a nice thing to start the year complaining and frustrated. Try to have a wonderful January so you can at least have a wonderful year.
