South African schools close in the next couple of weeks.
In 22 days time Santa Claus, or Father Christmas, or whatever name you assign him in your house, will be sliding down chimneys, or coming through an open window, carefully placing the presents under the twinkling Christmas Tree which is all dressed up to please every toddlers eye, then he gratefully eats the sweets or chocolates that your excited children had set out for the rotund ‟sack man.”
That´s the way it should be.
But, in so many families where there is ADHD, this is a time of dread, as the questions about what should be done, but probably won´t be done, what presents should be bought, but due to not knowing how much we money we have (I don´t do budgets, it takes too much time you know), we spend rashly on the most important people first and when the first card is declined, the presents decline steeply in price.
We make sure that the ‟merry-making hooch” is in the booze cabinet and in the fridge. For many of us, especially if we work for small and medium sized companies, Christmas is a compulsory holiday as the company closes down.
Finally the big day arrives, this is the day before the really big day, the evening before Christmas Day.
The kiddies have been banished to their rooms, either to sleep or to play. You start to wrap the gifts, only to find that you only enogh wrapping paper for about half. You also realise that your sticky tape is almost finished.
In despair, you go to the fridge to find some liquid sustenance, and find there is only one ale left. You check the hooch cupboard and desperately wrack your brain as to why there is only enough good cheer to last until tomorrow!
In the story above, I might have taken creative licence - either way. it might not be that bad, but also may be much worse.
So here are some tools and ideas to ensure that your holiday time is better than even the best scenario above.
FIRSTLY make a budget. Know how much money you have left after you have taken out the ‟must pay's” for TWO months. I can´t tell you how many time clients have told me ashamedly that they never even thought about January.
SECONDLY, do you have school uniforms and stationery for the youngest to start their education in 2025?
Update Your budget with real and actual figures
THIRDLY, do you have enough food for everyday eating for December AND January?
Update Your budget with real and actual figures
FOURTHLY, if you are travelling, do you have everything you need? If you are flying, do you have tickets, luggage and documents, and
most importantly, toiletries. If you are travelling in your vehicle, has it been serviced, are the tyres and brakes working and roadworthy, etc. Do you have the necessary insurances and enough money for fuel, etc.? Finally, have you checked on the state of the roads, and where you can get help if you have a breakdown?
Update Your budget with real and actual figures
FIFTHLY, now you budget what you you spend on gifts. No matter how much money you have, or don´t have, it´s the thought that counts.
SIXTHLY, you can now decide how much you can afford to spend on pleasure and entertainment.
Update Your budget with real and actual figures
I urge you to spend this week budgeting and having a festive season filled with joy, laughter and happiness, with no worries about whether there is enough money to meet your expectations.
Next week I will provide you with tools on how to avoid the ‟Dreaded Christmas” and have enough money to have the greatest Christmas you can afford!
Picture Credits From the Top:
- Albert Paul at Pixabay
- Gadini at Pixabay
- 5Ckler at Pixabay
- p2722754 at Pixabay
- tttboram at Pixabay