ONE LESS JANU-WORRY

ONCE December hits, most of us are utterly exhausted, and the idea of some retail therapy is definitely a “pick me up”.

- SOUND ADVICE: Rene Moonsamy

After a tough and challenging 2025, I am not saying you don’t deserve it, I am just suggesting caution in your spending, and reminding you to budget carefully till the end of January, while keeping up with your debt repayments.

The festive season can be testing for even the most financially disciplined consumers and by the time South Africans return to work, many will have spent more than they can afford.

According to René Moonsamy, chairperson of the National Debt Counselling Association (NDC), it’s a cycle that repeats itself year after year, with debt counselling enquiries spiking every January and February.

Several factors contribute:

■ The season is the peak time for retail sales. Marketers entice consumers to spend, starting from Black Friday and extending into the New Year sales.

■ Besides the lure of shopping, most people are on leave and spending on holidays, entertaining and enjoying themselves.

■ Companies often pay employees early in December, so salaries must stretch a month and a half until the end of January, aggravating the New Year cash crunch.