JOHANNESBURG - The festive season comes with a lot of spending on gifts, food, and hosting.
READ: Consumers expected to spend R289bn this festive season
Companies often pay salaries earlier in December, leading to a longer gap until January’s paycheck.
To manage January expenses effectively, it's important to limit December spending.
Finance journalist Maya Fisher-French offered tips to make the budgets work.
She said, "it's really worthwhile, shopping with a list, making sure you stick to that list and don't go shopping with credit cards or store cards."
As the festive season ramps up, many people feel compelled to spend more than they can afford.
It's often driven by pressure, expectations, and identity but followed by guilt.
Thabang Mashigo, relationship and individual therapist, said people may feel obligated to provide without boundaries and balance to seek validation from others.