Start your festive season plan in July to avoid financial stress in December

Saving over five months is better than doing it all from one pay cheque

- By Boitumelo Kgobotlo

The festive season brings mesmerising lights, family visits and joyful gatherings for many, but one thing often overlooked during planning for all this is the financial stress that tags along.

Nedbank financial management executive, Vanesha Palani, highlighted that this may include challenges to cover the costs of travel, food, and gifts.

"With such challenges at hand, you may turn to credit or sacrife January expenses to make it through," she said.

She suggested that the solution is not just making more money, but starting a festive savings plan sooner.

She urged South Africans to shift how they think about the festive season this National Savings Month, and treat July as the starting point.