In November, once salaries are paid, I make it a point to save a large chunk of my income. This isn’t just routine — it’s my strategy to augment December’s salary, knowing it often comes early and gets stretched thin by the holiday season.
When December’s salary arrives, the first thing I do is set aside my savings. Admittedly, it’s not as much as in other months because of the festivities. Then, I combine what I saved in November with December’s salary and divide the total into two unequal parts.
The smaller part is for “Detty December” — the celebrations, gifts, and indulgences that come with the season. The larger share is my survival fund for January, the infamous month that feels like it has 300 days.
This strategy works every time, but it demands a level of discipline unlike any other time of the year. Resisting the temptation to overspend during the holidays and sticking to my plan ensures that when January drags on, I’m financially steady. By the time the first salary of the new year arrives, I’ve not only survived but also maintained my peace of mind.
