Money for Life work in partnership with the Money Advice Service, an independent organisation set up by government. Money AdviceService provides free, unbiased money guidance across the UK to help people make the most of their money. If you have a question or need help, you can chat to them here.
By Tyrone Huggins, Freelance blogger
So the festive season is behind us and the lights have been dimmed. You’ve spent your last pennies on food, presents and nights out with friends – and all of a sudden reality hits you, you’re skint! It’s no wonder people find January the hardest month of the year. But don’t fear, we’ve put together 5 simple tips together on how to beat those January blues, so you can feel ready to start the New Year the right way!
Set a financial goal you can stick to – if you were spending frivolously during the Christmas period, it’s likely that you’ll want to start the New Year with a resolution that includes managing your finances better. One of the common mistakes people make here is setting unrealistic financial goals that they can’t stick to – which in turn causes early disappointment, loss of motivation and before you know it everything goes downhill. If you need help creating a budget plan for the year, Money for Life’s ‘Penny to Pounds’ app is a great place to start.
Stay away from expensive takeaways – the winter season can be another cause for those January blues to creep in. As it’s the coldest, darkest time of year – most of us tend to feel sluggish and let’s admit it would rather just stay indoors snuggled up with a Deliveroo and Netflix right! But as tempting as it sounds, this can put a huge strain on your bank account. If comfort eating is a habit you find hard to let go of this time of year, try deleting all fast food apps from your phone so the temptation won’t be as easy. Also cooking in bulk and having your meals prepped for the week will do wonders on those days when you’re feeling lazy!
Volunteer – One of the best ways to break out of the dull routine of studying or working is to dedicate an hour or two a week to trying something new. Volunteering is not only a perfect way to help other people in the community – it’s also a way of meeting new people and improving your mental wellbeing. Whether it’s joining a charity, helping a neighbour, or walking someone’s dog – the satisfaction gained from knowing you’ve positively impacted someone’s life or made someone happy is what will also make you feel a lot better about yourself.
Get active – Aside from the obvious physical benefits of working out, there are also physiological ones too. Did you know, the chemical hormones released in your body when exercising naturally improves your mood by making you feel happier? Another great benefit of regular exercise is that it doesn’t have to cost a penny and provides a routine for you to stick to – which is also great for the mind and for staying productive. So, make plans with a friend or head to the park by yourself for a run or a nice long walk (have you hear of exercise snacking?). Even socialising and being out and about can help.
Research and plan a holiday – Christmas isn’t easy on the wallet, and it’s certainly a key reason why many see January as such a depressing month. But there’s no reason why you can’t start making holiday plans for later in the year. Having something to look forward to can make the month fly by, and the search for hotels and things to see and do once you get there is a great motivator to keep going. If you’re really low on cash and/or desperate to get away sooner, check out towns or cities near to you that you’ve never explored and consider a day trip or night there – a change of surroundings can do wonders for shifting the dreadful feeling that you’re going nowhere.
Money for Life work in partnership with the Money Advice Service, an independent organisation set up by government. Money AdviceService provides free, unbiased money guidance across the UK to help people make the most of their money. If you have a question or need help, you can chat to them here.
