Call it Njaanuary. It is here with us. The good news is we were expecting. The bad news is we cannot run away from it.
Kenyans who traveled to the rural areas en masse are slowly returning to Nairobi and other major towns to resume work. Bus fares from rural areas back to Nairobi have been hiked as expected.
For many, January is usually the longest month ever in history. Having blown all the finances on Christmas and New Year celebrations, many Kenyans often find it hard to sail through the month.
Here are a few tips:
Do not accumulate debts
January is the month that many people go into a borrowing spree to supplement their budgets. This is dangerous because they eventually end up spending their salaries for the month in clearing debts. Do not borrow if it is not necessary.
Cut on your spending
January is the month that you should have a plan on how you are going to spend the little you have and stick to it. Be disciplined on how you will use your money. Do not buy things that you don’t need.
Carry packed lunch
If you always use cash in buying food at your workplace during lunch breaks, you may want to consider carrying your supper leftovers and use them as lunch. It will really help.
Utilize your fridge
Do you have a fridge in your house? Use it. Buy some food and freeze it to keep you passing through the month. Did you know that you can freeze even milk?
Keep the loose change to yourself
January is not the month for you to be generous. Stop using words like “Keep change” every time you shop this month. Those little coins will take you a long way.
Stop the visitors
This sounds funny but January is not a good month for entertaining friends and relatives. I’d they must come, let them come after your first pay in 2020. That food they might use might be just enough to push you a day or two. Think.