That time when financial issues are constantly blurred by the culture of consumerism is around the corner.

A whole year’s financial diligence often comes apart in the month of December because one is caught up in the mood to spend, whether they do not have the money to spend or not.

Christmas holiday is essentially a time when many businesses see the opportunity to cash in on the mood to get money from your pocket with discounts and other tricky kinds of sales promotions that will make you feel, not think, that you are missing out of the party.

For example, a TV seller will give you a 20% discount which might convince you that you are missing out if you don’t buy it now, but probably without that promotion, you might not have bought the TV because you can’t afford it, or you do not need it and the discount will not change that fact.

Remember that a good deal is a good deal if it is a planned expenditure. If you have wanted to buy a TV all year, the Christmas holiday might be a good time because it will come cheap, but only when it is a planned expenditure.

Secondly, if you have not made your holiday budget it is not too late. A holiday budget is not only for those travelling far but even those who need to do a decent Christmas week shopping of gifts for family and prepare for a special meal on Christmas day or New Year’s day.

This holiday should be catered for by saving a small cash stash other than eating into your normal monthly budget leaving a hole in your January financial plans.

Don’t be comfortable with that rationale that January is always a tough month financially. It is going to be tough if you want to make it tough, by spending unnecessarily in December, but the thrifty ones stay silent at that time because they are well prepared for the moment.

So plan now and make January a time to set your New Year plans in motion, not the time to worry about basic needs.

Ends