Festive season coming up, spend within means

Time really flies. It feels like yesterday when we celebrated the dawn of the New Year 2022 on January 1 and, boom, it is December, the last month of the calendar year.

December is the festive month. The festivities reach a climax on the 25th, Christmas Day when Christians celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, their Lord and Saviour. What makes the Christmas celebrations unique is that six days later comes New Year’s Day.

The twin festivities of Christmas Day and New Year’s Day are probably the most popular on the calendar in Malawi and many countries across the world.

It is also one festivity that sees even corporates extend gift hampers to both their customers and staff besides giving the employees bonus pay. Some companies also throw end-of-year or Christmas parties as they reflect on the past 12 months.

Naturally, expenditures go up during the Christmas and New Year festivities. I grew up in an era when Christmas meant getting new clothes and having a special meal, normally rice served with local chicken stew and washed down with a bottle of Fanta Orange. In those days, to have a full bottle alone was a luxury such that many of the young ones would share a bottle.

Nowadays, family holiday getaways to local and international destinations have become a part of the celebrations.

I am writing this piece with the countdown indicating there are 18 days to Christmas Day. The festive mood is slowly creeping in with businesses running promotions as believers and non-believers alike stock up for the festive season.

During Christmas festive season, people also tend to throw all caution to the wind in terms of spending by going on wild shopping sprees, feasting and sharing gifts. There is excess spending by consumers during this period.

Regardless of how you spend your hard-earned money, always remember to avoid falling into the trap of impulse-buying or indeed unnecessary debts. Impulse buying entails one buying items without planning. This can be avoided by drawing a shopping list and having the discipline to stick to it when you go out shopping. You will thank me later if you take the courage to give “a blind eye” to the ‘sale’ signs during outings to shopping malls.

If you did not budget for a holiday trip, please do not make unplanned trips simply because your neighbours or peers are going to the lake or Zanzibar and even Dubai in the United Arab Emirates. Many who make such trips have the habit to plan ahead and make bookings and payments from as early as March, so do not just go with the flow like dead fish.

The year 2022 has been tough on the economic front worsened by the 25 percent devaluation of the kwacha which diluted consumers’ buying power. Fuel prices went up to unprecedented levels, pushing up the cost of living in the process. Malawians have barely survived in the passing year.

If you are among the lucky employees whose employer is paying bonus salary, strive to use the extra income to clear outstanding debts and invest some for the rainy day. Do not spend money like you have been cast with a spell.

During festive holidays, thieves also take advantage, especially where people have travelled out of town. Please ensure that windows and doors are securely closed and locked before leaving your homes.

Make it a point to transact at automated teller machines located in busy points than quiet places, especially when it is too early in the morning or at dusk. In fact, it will be even safer if you embrace digital banking by making payments online.

The festive season coincides with other equally pressing demands such as farm inputs, school fees, rentals and holiday travel. Before spending, ensure that the priority bills are sorted out first.

There is nothing wrong with kuzipepesa or spoiling oneself during the festive season. What is important is to budget and plan your expenses.

If you can afford it, why not spoil yourself after a year of sweat and tears. But, by all means, avoid living large on borrowed money.