Janu-worry, the 54 days long stretch is finally over. How did you fair? Have you had the TGIF (Thank God Its February) feeling yet?
Being self employed for many years and now living with a health challenge which has definitely impeded the way in which I am able to secure my monthly income, I have never been one that gave much thought to the whole psychology around January being 54days. I guess its because I haven’t really had the luxury of having a secure income in a permanent job for most of my working life. I chose the business hustle from very early in my working career. With that many months of plenty and many many months of none. At this junction in my life its health over wealth and I cannot stress to you how eye opening this season of my life has being. Suffice it to say, I always had enough until my health took a turn. When the ability to move freely and confidently is compromised, one’s financial security and perception of money undergo a significant shift. A swift adaptation to living within one’s means becomes imperative. This endeavour is no small feat in an era characterized by a culture of excess and a constant pursuit of material possessions and to be better and have more to show than the next person.
For parents of school-going children, the prolonged 54-day stretch of Janu-worry seems to be magnified. Each year, as Christmas approaches and the final payday of the year arrives, we unwittingly plunge deeper into a deceptive narrative. We live the life of feeling the December vibe. No I’m not referring to the joy of gift-giving and celebrating with loved ones around the dinner table, but rather the FESTIVE atmosphere that December exudes.
We have succumbed to the allure of celebrating every day in December as a festive occasion, each surpassing the grandeur of the previous one. December has become the false sense of financial freedom. We have bought into the notion that the festive season warrants extravagant spending, convincing ourselves that we must outdo our neighbours and cousins on the other side of the pond. Regardless of our individual perspectives on money and expenditure, we all succumb to a sense of recklessness as the year draws to a close. And every year we promise ourselves that we will never have a January as last year. Yet, as December approaches and paydays seem to arrive in rapid succession between November and December, we overlook the significant gap between these paychecks when transitioning from December to January. The glittering allure of Christmas lights and the joyous revelry of the festive season suddenly dissipate by December 26th, as stores dismantle their festive displays, abruptly shattering the illusion of financial freedom.
The haze of spending on restaurants, takeaways, cocktails, social gatherings, braais, and holiday entertainment hits us like an unexpected bang of an ill timed firecracker. Back to school, work routines, Valentine’s Day, and Easter preparations swiftly follow suit, ushering in the dreaded JANUWORRY period.
With no pleasant distractions to divert our attention from the harsh reality, transitioning from a relaxing holiday to confronting our financial predicament, knowing that we are falling short, becomes a distressing ordeal. Stress levels increase and the stress spiral begins. The cupboards are empty, the fuel tank on its reserve red light permanently and you are now scrambling around for that stationery and uniform list that was given to you in your child’s communication book in October. Yet, every year, every Christmas we make the same promise to ourselves and yet we continue to choose ‘Same Procedure as Last Year”
Nevertheless, if you are reading this article, congratulations on successfully navigating through Janu-worry. Undoubtedly, we are all experiencing a cocktail of worry, anxiety, and stress, seasoned with a hint of regret, resentment, and frustration.
However; what can we do to change this stressful and very difficult period for most homes and families. Our relationship with how we view money, spend money and think about money needs consideration. If you are someone who has to have the latest, the best and all the bling that money can buy, maybe you need to really have a look at the why? If you someone who makes impulsive purchases without forethought or swipe their cards indiscriminately, maybe you need to really have a look at the when? Many of us succumb to emotional spending, allowing our moods to dictate our purchasing decisions, falling prey to persuasive marketing tactics and enticing sales pitches. If you one of those people that does not plan their financial spend or budget their money in and money out especially around silly season, maybe you need to really look at the how? And if you that person that is spending all their earnings on outings and entertainment, maybe you need to look at the where. Yes, I have just used the 5Ws in a money conversation. Who knew, they were not just for story telling.
Our spending is very closely linked to our emotions and experience and views about money. Some individuals equate money with happiness, adopting a ‘by any means necessary’ mentality. Others think wealth as a direct consequence of possessing money. However, this narrative is flawed, as true financial freedom hinges on wise spending habits and financial responsibility. The lie that material possessions equate to wealth and prosperity is flawed, as the pursuit of luxury often leads to financial strain and debt accumulation. Truth be told, maybe you are sleeping more soundly and more peacefully than the neighbour in the mansion with his flashy cars and her latest fashions and decor.
The relationship between money and happiness is multifaceted and often misunderstood. Our attitudes toward money are deeply rooted in our upbringing, media influences, societal norms, and personal experiences with earning and spending. It can also be influenced by external factors like economic or political landscape. Think back to your relationship to money growing up. What were some of the first money memories you have in your family? How did your parents (or not talk) about money? Do you remember the words and phrases they used? If you anywhere to my age; words like Festive, Decembering and Janu-worry are new words in your vocabulary.
If there is one resolution we must uphold, it is the commitment to living within our means and educating our children about financial literacy. Many families believe that discussions about money are reserved solely for adults and shy away from openly addressing financial constraints and limitations with their children. In a bid to keep up with societal standards, parents often inadvertently foster a false impression of affluence, instilling unrealistic expectations in their children. This places undue strain on parental budgets, compelling them to resort to loans and quick cash solutions that offer temporary respite but fail to address the underlying issues. And the biggest trap is festive season, Decembering with its allure and extravagance, only makes our predicament worse.
In our home, money was never discussed around us and even though we lacked nothing, we did not have everything according to society. As a child, the arrival of Christmas heralded the most joyous time of the year, characterized by a sense of abundance and wonder. We seemed to have everything. As an adult now, I can only imagine the challenges my parents faced raising a family of five children in a communal setting, with my mother as a homemaker and my father as a blue-collar municipal worker. In those days, school fees amounted to around R25 per year, accompanied by a R5 sports fee. January came around and it was back to school without a thought to where, how, when and what. My father was earning approximately R500 per month, if I could venture a guess and using silly math.
We enjoyed nutritious meals, pristine uniforms, durable school shoes that lasted the entire year, and had six months to save up for our school jersey for the winter season. Additionally, our school supplies were provided by the government. Recalling these memories, if the aroma of peanut butter and jam sandwiches wrapped in wax paper evokes a sense of nostalgia and amusement, then you, too, also are coming to terms with the terminology of Janu-worry around this time of the year. Fast forward to the year 2025, parents find themselves shelling out exorbitant sums of money for their children’s education and extracurricular activities in a bid to keep up with social expectations, not for the children’s benefit, but to maintain a facade of affluence. Better, bigger, flasher schools under the myth that more luxurious the schooling experience automatically equates to smarter children and greater happiness. In reality, simpler often brings more joy and tranquility.
A simpler life reduces stress and allows people to appreciate what they have rather than perpetually yearning for more. Having money and growing wealth has very little to do with how smart you are but more about how you behave. So; if there is one thing we consider this year, it is what does 20Twenty-Thrive mean to you? How will you thrive this year? One practical tip that has proven effective and tested is to purchase all your children’s school necessities before succumbing to the frenzy of December spending. Prioritize essential purchases over lavish indulgences and showy gestures, steering clear of financially draining behaviours one month at a time.
20Twenty-Thrive says in itself we need to THRIVE. In order to do that, we need to focus on change of behaviour and mentality of how we view money, treat money and use it. Behaviour changes means getting rid of bad habits that eat away at your savings and ability to see the month through. In 20Twenty-Thrive consider making it a year of budget friendly choices. Consider how you going to spend money this year and stick to it. Make it before you spend it. Maybe next year we can bring back January, one conscious spend at a time, and have less to worry about and more to be grateful for at the start of the new year. Now that’s a resolution I can get behind.
