Entering the new year, not broke.

        
              Year after year after Christmas, my colleagues always complain about being broke, and I wonder how come? With all the bonus and gifts from customers, and then I realised, there are two factors that cause it, time and money. Just think about it, if you don't have time how will you see what the temptation of sales in every store you pass, or with no money but you have all the time in the world and cant buy anything. Now add these two together, OMG! it's the catastrophe of savings; but I have always have a plan that pulls me through, at least till the end of the January.

  
ALWAYS HAVE A PLAN

              Its simple really, I have a list of what I "need" for the holidays and another separate list for January; then I estimate the cost, but if the cost for the holiday is higher than the January list then its "boy bye". I mean January is meant for me to look and feel good for the new year, its actually the most important because I have new clothes, hair do, shoes, bags in that list, but I never go overboard, at least that will be enough till I get my pay ;-).

                The holiday list is basically transportation to places, food,  admission fees to events and cinemas, so you see what I mean? I can even do with everything, there is food in the house already, so there is no need for extra grocery shopping.

SELF-CONTROL

                  So because you have a list doesn't mean you should buy everything you see in that category, for instance, you have shoes on your list and you see that big shiny board that reads "SALES", of course it wont harm you to have a look and buy one or two, but heed my words don't buy more than what you have planned for in your list.

                  Believe me once you start with the first purchase like that, then it goes on and on till you spent every money in your bank account, including the one you have reserved for January.

LISTEN TO YOUR INNER VOICE

           Sure you have a list and a well organised plan on how to overcome excessive spending. But trust me friends its best for you to listen to that inner voice that says enough is enough.

            Most times, I have realised that my shopping demon is actually stronger than my inner voice, so what I do when I am out shopping or just going out, I always have cash on me for the purpose of my outing, with a little extra on me, in case of surprise events.

There you have it, my strategy on how to enter the new year broke.

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