Budgeting for the festive season and sticking to it is a struggle for many.

The post-holiday period can be too overwhelming, with credit card bills and a depleted savings account. Alas! All is not lost!

Here are four tips you can follow to help you keep your budget and expenditure intact until your January payday:

1. Take stock of your finances
Get a clear picture of your income, expenses, and debts. Make a list of your financial obligations and prioritise them. This will help you understand where you stand and make informed decisions.

2. Plan ahead
Schedule outings, family visits, and other activities well in advance and stick to your plan at all costs. If it’s not budgeted, do not do it.

3. Cut back on non-essentials
Identify areas where you can cut back on unnecessary spending. Consider cooking at home instead of eating out, cancelling subscription services you don’t use, or finding free entertainment options.

4. Back to school
New year means new school clothes, books, stationery and much more. It also means these items are in demand and thus, more expensive. Make sure that these items are planned for and bought as soon as possible. The biggest mistake families make is buying these items at the last minute