January Survival Guide.
January can be a tough month for so many reasons. Money is tight after Christmas, there’s nothing to look forward to after all of the excitement of the Christmas period, the weather can be rubbish! So many reasons that January can be a little bit pants! Today has been penned as “Blue Monday”, supposedly the most depressing day of the year. I think that January should be a positive time, a time to take stock and reassess. That’s why I’ve put together the My Money Cottage January Survival Guide.
Head Outside
Yes it may be cold, but the fresh air really does help to lift your mood. I’m not suggesting you head out in the pouring rain, but on the days you can, take a little walk, even if it is only round the block, it’ll lift your spirits and the exercise will help to boost your mood as well as benefiting your body after all the overindulgence at Christmas.
Budget
It’s a common thing to have to stretch your money further in January. Many of us got paid earlier in December and overspent in the run up to Christmas. The month’s pay doesn’t seem to stretch far enough! Take the time to work out your finances and figure out how much money you have available. Set a budget for the month and stick to it so you’re not in a panic! This article may help – https://mymoneycottage.com/you-need-a-budget/.
Cook
Try out some winter warmer recipes. Batch cook and meal plan. This will help to save money too. Bake some cakes with the kids, teach them a valuable life skill and have fun with them. You may find you enjoy the experience!
Boost your income
My Money Cottage is full of ways to make extra money. Whilst we’re enjoying the dark evenings, snuggle up under a blanket and take some time to figure out which income boosters suit you. I’d definitely recommend giving Matched Betting a go if you haven’t already as well as joining Swagbucks. Those two activities alone will keep you busy and definitely improve your bank balance.
Take time out
It’s important to look after yourself! December can be such a busy month and all the stress and running around can often catch up with us in January. Take some time out to relax, take a bath, read a book or do whatever else you enjoy doing.
January is a difficult month, financially and the weather doesn’t help. Though there is the promise of spring to come 🙂
It feels like an incredibly long month for me, I think once the lighter nights start coming I’ll feel happier. Roll on Spring 🙂
January is the hardest month for me after christmas as it’s my son’s birthday so more presents and a party whilst I still have no money to pay for it!
You have an interesting blog and website. January used to be a bad month for me too, but I solved the lack of money problem by not buying presents for anyone under 18 years (I don’t have children of my own, and all my step children are over 18), and instead give discount codes to the adults in the family to spend on a number of specific website which belong to people I know. The majority do not get spent, so it does not cost me anything, and they tend to be the family members who don’t appreciate what ever I would have bought them anyway. This is how I discovered that some just don’t care what I give them. They just want cash (cheques don’t get cashed for months, gift cards don’t get spent or used, not even traded as you suggest and I’ve had gifts which I gave in the first place years later!).
The ones that do get used, are appreciated, and I don’t begrudge paying the money to the website owners to cover the full value of the discount code. I know lots of really good online sites (all small businesses) who appreciate the extra business and between all of these websites, my family (and a few good friends) can usually find something they really like, or need. The website owners just drop me a email with the name of the person who used the discount code, so I can confirm it is someone I know, and I pay them the money. So far it has been a win win for Christmas, and I am less stressed about giving presents.
Yes January has been hard work – paid early in December so was a longer time to Januarys pay day – cold and dreary- bu on a good note -lovely wintery walks and fresh air!!