300 Days of January: My Hacks for Not Going Broke Before the First Salary Day of 2025

Hello there!

Detty December is here! After all the shege 2024 has thrown at us; from dollar spikes, and inflation, to endless fuel hikes (let’s not even talk about the couples’ PDA drama this year #JusticeForSingles) you absolutely deserve to unwind and jaiye ori e.

But remember, the time between your December paycheck and your first January salary is a lengthy one. So, if you don’t want your wallet to start singing “Aye” by January 5th, here are some hacks to keep you smiling through to Salary day in January.

1. Create a Detty December Budget
Follow the 50-30-20 rule:
• 50% for essentials
• 30% for enjoyment (workshop chop is a real thing!)
• 20% for savings or investments.
Pro tip: Pay yourself first! That 20% could go into a short-term investment like a money market fund on Invest Now.

2. Freeze Your Card (Literally)
Impulse spending? Not me! Fill a bowl with water, drop your debit card inside, and freeze it. Each time you want to splurge, you’ll need to thaw it. By then, hopefully, your common sense will defrost too (lol)

3. We Are OutInside!
Who says fun has to be expensive? Organize a Bring Your Own Bottle (BYOB) party with friends. Add board games, karaoke, fun and laughter and the rest is history.

4. Get Creative with Transport
Get into the “new year” “new me” mode early. Save on fuel and transport costs while tackling those new year’s fitness goals. Walk, carpool, or cycle to errands, etc. Kill two birds with one stone.

5. Meal Prep Like a Pro
Hilda Baci has nothing on you with your bag of office rice. Check your freezer for frozen leftovers – gizzard, goat and the like. Whip up those saved Instagram recipes and turn your kitchen into a 5-star restaurant.

6. Say No without Feeling Guilty
FOMO is expensive! Politely skip pricey owambes or, if you must attend, rock a demure outfit from your wardrobe and gift the celebrant a thoughtful token instead of going broke over asoebi.

7. Declare a “No Spend” Day Weekly
Challenge yourself to a no-spend day every week. Avoid anything non-essential for 24 hours, I know it sounds tough but you’ll be amazed at how much you can save.

Bonus Hack: Ignore IJGB’s
Living debt-free is the real flex, don’t let IJGBs tension you, they’ll return to base on or before your January paycheck arrives.

Congratulations, You Made It! With these few points of mine, I hope I have been able to convince you that you can survive the yuletide season without going broke.

Cheers!