Moderation Is Key: Managing Expenses During The Festive Season

We have officially entered the festive season, and as humans, one thing about us is that we tend to go overboard with our celebrations. I mean, who doesn’t want to enjoy themselves to the fullest? Whether we spend this festive season in our houses, eating and drinking everything that comes our way, or we go out to have fun with our friends, family, and loved ones, the main goal is to have fun. However, this doesn’t mean that one should go overboard with the celebrations. Some people have been saving since the beginning of this year, only to squander it all during the festive season, leaving them broke in the first few months of the new year. I am not familiar with the customs in all countries, but here in Nigeria, and also some other African countries, we have what is known as “Detty December.”

In simple words, Detty December means having fun to the fullest during the festive season (December), which can involve buying new clothes and shoes, putting on the shiniest accessories and visiting new and nice places just to make the celebration a grand one. Again, I am not of a different school of thought that people shouldn’t celebrate the festive season. It’s the end of the year and it is only fitting that those who made it this far, mark the occasion with a celebration. However, things should be done in moderation. People often get carried away with the celebration, going overboard with it. They spend more than their budget, and this leads to a rough start in the new year. With my observations, I have realized that people struggle financially at the beginning of the new year, particularly the first month. People should understand that after all the celebrations, they will be faced with reality and back to their usual lives. So, have fun, and at the same time, think about the future.

Today's edition of Hive Learner’s prompt asks us how we are managing our spending in this period. What steps are in place to ensure that you don’t go overboard with the celebrations? In my last post in this community, I discussed my plans for the festive season. For the first time ever, I will not be spending the holidays with my family. I'll be spending this period in school with some hostel mates. My hostel is a very big compound with 64 rooms and more than 120 students living in that very big compound. Out of these 64 rooms and more than 120 students, about 110 students went home for the holidays leaving behind 10 of us in the hostel. Before this holiday, I’d often stay in my room, minimizing my interaction with the others. But this holiday has brought us closer. Spending this festive season with them is way better than spending it alone.

Although our plans haven't been finalized yet, we had a conversation yesterday. We decided that it would be nice to at least enjoy this celebration together, even if it is just to come together to share a few drinks. The festive season is all about having fun and spending time with people. Someone brought the idea that we should all contribute and prepare something delicious. In Nigeria, the festive season is almost incomplete without jollof rice and chicken or meat. It is like a tradition to prepare jollof rice, chicken, or meat and wash it down with cold drinks. Although we haven't decided how to go about it yet, our plan is to come together and prepare a delicious Neal and drink together. Obviously, we won’t be going overboard with it and it won’t affect us in any way in 2025.

We have officially started the festive season and it can be so easy to get carried away with all the spending. Who wouldn't like to enjoy themselves to the fullest? Who wouldn't like a memorable December? But before you go overboard with the celebrations, check your wallet and ask yourself if you have more than enough to have a Detty December. What’s the point of enjoying the last few days of December and struggling in January? In everything you do, spend in moderation.

Have fun!

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Thanks for reading.