We are in January, the month notorious for being the longest of the year.
This is because a lot of people have spent a huge part of their savings on December festivities.
After the festive atmosphere of the holiday season, the return to a more mundane routine can be a major letdown.
It is common to see people complaining of going broke in January, and some go as far as borrowing from friends and family to survive the month.
Here are seven tips by The Ghana Report to help you survive this January.
1. Draw a budget
A budget is a lifesaver anytime, any day. Create a new budget, but, this time, streamline the budget to a certain amount. Ensure that this budget is as real as possible and includes only important things.
Exclude things you can do without for now. It’s also important you follow through with this budget.
In Ghana, essentials like water, food, and accommodation are most required when it’s this time of the season.
2. Save money on food costs
Eating out will make you spend more in January. You can cut down on your food costs by cooking all your meals. Avoid buying meals from restaurants; it would save you a huge amount of cash. Use the weekend to stock your refrigerator with homemade food.
3. Avoid buying on credit
You might have been eyeing some outfits or shoes you want. Avoid buying them on credit if you don’t want to live in debt throughout the month. It’s tempting to purchase something and tell yourself that you’re going to pay it off in installments.
If you’re constantly buying on credit, you’ll struggle to get out of the debt cycle you’ve inadvertently created for yourself. This act will affect your income and savings for the rest of the year.
4. Try something new
You can equip yourself with new skills by doing something new like learning new recipes on YouTube, photography, and public speaking from accessible platforms.
Taking lessons online can propel you towards your New Year resolution because all it takes is preparation and time.
When you try something new, your brain creates neural passages and increases your brain’s plasticity.
For most people, cooking does not come naturally, some people struggle to boil water. So January’s goal is to make at least two meals from the new online cookbook.
5. Make a list of lessons learned
Most people are not big on New Year’s resolutions because they always break them, which is more pathetic than before they were made.
But remembering a few things learned in the past year is surely the right path to take.
One striking lesson is to learn to know your body better than any doctor and be the authority on your health.
6. Try not to repeat mistakes from last year
Learn from the mistakes of last year and be a bit gentler to yourself.
But the definition of insanity, or the fallacy of doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results applies here.
Living with anxiety and depression can significantly impact your quality of life, affecting everything from relationships to daily functioning. Seeking treatment and finding the right medication can offer significant relief.
7. Your health is in your hand
Openly discussing your concerns with your healthcare professional is crucial. Collaborating closely with them helps identify what works best for you.
Taking the time to tailor a suitable medication and treatment plan to your specific needs can significantly improve your mental health and allocate fewer resources for medical help.