December splurges vs. January realities

There’s something about December in South Africa. The air smells like sunscreen and braai smoke, the shops hum with Mariah Carey, and suddenly, we’re all a little more generous – with our time, our wallets and our waistlines. It’s a season of joy, and rightly so. After a long year, we want to celebrate, spoil the kids, book the trip, buy the gift. We want to make memories that feel like a reward.

But here’s the thing: January doesn’t care how festive December felt. School fees arrive. Debit orders kick back into gear. Credit card statements land with a thud. And many of us, despite our best intentions, dip into savings or delay retirement contributions just to stay afloat.

So how do we do December differently? Not with guilt or grim warnings, but with a little more intention. Because not all spending is bad. In fact, some of it is deeply meaningful: A road trip that reconnects your family. A gift that makes someone feel seen. A shared meal that becomes tradition. These are the things we remember – not the extra gadget or the rushed mall spree.

Before you tap your card, ask: Will this matter in a month? In a year? If yes, go for it. If not, maybe pause.

You don’t need a financial overhaul to make December count. Just a few shifts can make a world of difference:

• If you get a bonus, skim off the top: Set aside 10% before you even look at it. You won’t miss it, but your future self will thank you.
• Create a “memory budget”: Plan for experiences, not just things. A picnic, a photo book, a day trip – these often cost less and mean more.
• When it comes to giving, do it with heart, not pressure.
• Set a festive ceiling: Decide upfront what you’re willing to spend on gifts, outings and extras. It’s easier to be generous when you know your limits.
• Start a tradition: Something that costs less but have a high impact. A handwritten note, a shared playlist, a sunset walk. These rituals often outlast the receipts.
• Make time: Isn’t giving someone some of your time the most expensive, authentic gift you can give? Especially to the young and the old.
• Track your joy, not just your spend: Jot down what made you smile this season. You’ll notice it’s rarely the most expensive thing.

Legacy doesn’t always arrive with fanfare. Sometimes it’s just a quiet decision made in a noisy month – a small act of restraint, a moment of clarity, a choice to honour both the present and what comes after. December doesn’t have to be either joy or wisdom. It can be both. And you can celebrate without sabotaging January.

So go ahead – braai, beach, bonus. Say yes to what matters. But let your spending reflect the kind of story you want to tell – one that still makes sense when the sunburn fades, the inbox fills up and the debit orders start knocking again. Because the best stories are the ones where joy and foresight walk hand in hand.