Spending is part of life, we spend to survive, we spend to look nice, we spend to make our loved ones happy and we spend to make life fun it's fun. No matter how stingy, or careful one may be, spending is something we can't avoid but we can control it.
Yesterday I visited a friend and she was telling me about her immediate younger brother whom their neighbor seemed to be competing, she said "anything her kid bro bought mostly clothes, the neighbor would go and get the same thing if he didn't get the same quality he would look for something close."
I was just laughing inside while she was telling me all this, now that things are very expensive, if I can't compete for important things like savings, investment, and food is it expenses that I would be competing for? Those guys are obviously not serious if really they know what is going on in the world. They would not be that daft.
Christmas is usually associated with so many expenses, the truth is whether you like it or not you must spend on Christmas, it's something that is certain, except you don't want the day to be fun for you and those you love.
Although spending is very important during this season it should be done with caution to avoid going broke or even worse being in debt after the celebration.
It all depends on our pockets. Someone who earns five thousand naira monthly won't spend the same way someone who earns two hundred thousand naira monthly does. Even if you have been saving for long for the season that is not wisdom at all.
Here are my strategies
I discovered that some Christmas is fun for me and others are not, for reasons all tied to finance. The thing is, it's not only overspending that is a problem, not having what to spend is even worse, I had been wondering, so I decided to look for a way to tackle it.
I started this last year, at the beginning of every new year, I start saving with regards to Christmas and New Year, I know how embarrassing those festivities can be if they should catch you unawares. Sometimes the major reason why I save is to support my family.
There's how it makes one feel when the day comes unexpectedly and you don't have anything to give them when they make demands.
The next thing is drafting out my budget, whatever I know I need to spend during the celebration I pen it down to avoid excesses, anything that comes afterward is not my concern, I root it out till further notice, that is if it's even important.
Before I go out, I ensure, I have calculated how much I am going to spend, once the money is finished, I instantly take my leave even if the place is just starting to be fun. I have long stopped using a debit card, that thing can make you spend lol.
I weigh my strengths, I don't carry what is more than my capacity. If the money I budgeted for Christmas has finished, spending too has finished. Even if I am having millions on another account I dare not near it. Anyone who asks me for money, I tell you I am out of money or I am broke, to avoid that I go away from people, and sometimes put my phone on flight mood or call forward.
People only want to see you spend, when they notice you are on cash they will keep flocking around you but as soon as you are out of money they leave and do not even bother to show concern about how you would get your financial life back. If you want to escape excess spending this Christmas, stay away from trying to impress people.
