Greetings!
One big truth I've come to understand this festive season regarding finance and spending is that no matter how good someone is at managing their finances, there will always be a point where they spend outside their budget. It's inevitable unless one has no money on the spot which is the only way out.
Just yesterday, after I closed from church and went to the market, my plan was simply to buy some meat and visit a shoemaker to fix my footwear. I intended to stop at just these two spots and then head back home. However, I ended up buying something I hadn’t planned for. Surprisingly, I didn’t feel bad about it because that’s the spirit of the season...and I needed the item I bought too.
How do I curb excess spending and spending out of budget in this festive season?
I know myself, and I’m very good at managing my finances. There are certain things people spend money on that I could never involve myself in, even if I had an excess of money. Apart from the irresistible spending driven by the festive season’s energy, I know how to stick to my limits to avoid being financially drained at the start of the new year.
Prioritizing based on capacity.
As I’ve mentioned several times, family is my main priority. Even when I send money to them at home, I do it in a very calculated manner. I give within my capacity—not to the extent of emptying my bank account. I avoid situations where I might have to ask them to return part of the money for transport fare back to my base after the holidays. I always ensure I prioritize and spend according to my capacity. After all, Christmas is not about showing off.
Yesterday night, while talking with a friend, I somehow let it slip that I had just been paid some money owed to me by a very stubborn client. She became excited and, in a subtle way, requested a portion of the money. Now, I don’t intentionally spend outside my budget unless it’s for something minor or perhaps when I’m “enchanted”—which can never happen. So, I tactfully told her that the money had already been spent, even though it’s still intact. Would you call that a lie? Well, if it is, I’d say it’s a harmless lie—I’m not going to hell for it! Lol. The truth is, that money wasn’t budgeted for anything and won’t be spent no matter what.
As I prepare to travel home for the New Year celebration, I remain cautious about my spending. I know there will be situations where I’ll feel obliged to buy drinks for friends and family. Even then, I’ll do it within my financial capacity. Once I hit my limit, I won’t hesitate to start avoiding people until I return to my base.
Thanks for reading.
Image is mine
