Why does it feel like any progression towards goals or good habits go out the window in December?
If you work in a corporate environment, you’ll hear phrases like “Let’s circle back to this in the New Year”, “Let’s put a pin in that project till January”, “Let’s catch up again about it next year”.
But Sandra, it’s only the 1st of December?
If you’re worrying about how to maintain your money motivation in December, we’ve come up with a few ways to either loosen the reins or keep up the momentum. No judgement here. Our goal is to help you stay financially well during the festival period, it’s about doing what feels right for you.
Pause saving goals
If you’ve been working towards an ambitious savings goal throughout the year, you may be tempted to take your foot off the gas in December. Surely it’s a time to relax and spend, spend, spend?
At Financielle we believe in maintaining financial wellness all year round and December should be no different.
However, if you’re late to the Christmas sinking funds party we don’t want you to turn to credit during the festive period. Therefore, pausing a savings goal temporarily to help see you through the holiday season could be an option to help plug the gap.
Please note – this is not permission to engage in impulsive spending. This is a temporary solution to maintain financial wellness and all savings goals should resume as soon as possible.
Be ruthless
Sounds simple, right? But now could be the time to really scrutinise that Christmas spreadsheet of yours. Does your second cousin really need that toiletries set that will be donated to the local charity shop in a week?
It’s time to get intentional with your spending before you get sucked into the silly spending season. Do you really want that second cousin that you see once a year (at best) to get between you and the savings goal you’ve been working so hard for?
We’ve got so many helpful blogs to help tackle awkward present buying and money conversations this Christmas, take a look here.
Track your festive spending
December isn’t a get out card for overspending. Tracking your spending in this time will truly help keep you on the straight and narrow.
By all means, flex the budget this month. It’s perfectly normal for socialising and spending to increase, so our budget should too.
Keep track of your spending in the Financielle App using the ‘actuals’ tracker in the Budget area. This will help keep you accountable, reduce impulsive spending and help you feel pretty smug when it comes to January pay day!
Check out our blog on how to create a budget you can actually stick to here.
Revisit your money goals
Picture this. It’s the 27th of December, it’s 2pm and you’re still in your pajamas. You’re watching The Holiday, balancing a cheeseboard on your lap with no social plans in sight, pure bliss!
The time between Christms and New Year is a great time to revisit your money goals – don’t waste this perfect opportunity to get your money $h*t together.
Doing a review of 2025 using the Financielle Budget Tracker, acknowledging which categories you over-spent on, recognising how your excess percentage has grown and checking in on the progress of your money goals will be the best preparation for setting your 2026 money goals.