NYDA tips for the youth to make the most of the festive season, and to plan ahead
With the festive season upon us many of us choose to spend our money on gifts, experiences, or celebrations, but remember, that money is finite, so, be mindful what you're spending it on.
The festive season offers young people a unique chance to pause, reflect on their personal journeys from the past year, and assess their achievements and challenges while planning for a successful year ahead.
Many may choose to spend on gifts, experiences, or celebrations, making it important to approach these expenses thoughtfully.
As the holidays approach, the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA) shares valuable tips to help young individuals maximise this festive time.
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Festive season tips:
- Reflect on 2024: Review your achievements and challenges from the past year. Identify lessons learnt and areas for improvement.
- Set goals for 2025: Define specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, and time-bound (SMART) goals. Break them into short-term, monthly, and long-term goals for personal and professional growth.
- Save and budget: Wisely avoid overspending during the holidays. Allocate part of your festive earnings, gifts, or savings towards educational pursuits, business investments, or career plans.
- Invest in self-development: Take short online courses or attend workshops in your area of interest. Read books, listen to podcasts, or watch educational content to enhance your skills.
- Prepare for opportunities: Update your CV, portfolio, and linkedin profile. Research funding, scholarship, and internship opportunities for 2025.
- Start a side hustle: Use the holiday period to explore small business ideas. Look into services like selling festive goods or offering skills like tutoring, and design.
- Plan your education or career path: Research potential courses, jobs, or entrepreneurial ventures. Apply early for opportunities like bursaries, learnerships, or training programmes.
- Prioritise mental and physical health: Take time to rest and rejuvenate. Incorporate exercise, mindfulness, or hobbies into your daily routine.
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Festive spending tips:
- Always plan before you spend, and work out what you can afford — draw up a budget.
- Always shop around for the best deals and prices before you make a purchase.
- Always be careful about the ‘buy now and pay later’ deals.
- As you spend over the festive season, always remember that some bills, such as electricity, water, and telephones, do not go on holiday and will need to be paid in the new year.
- Avoid spending your bonus on your ‘wants’ instead of your ‘needs’. For instance, expensive clothes are ‘wants’ and school uniforms are ‘needs’.
- Always shop with January in mind.
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