10 Ways to recover from the post-holiday financial hangover
Published: • 3 min read
The holiday season leaves most people grappling with the relentless financial burden every year. If you, too, have used credit cards recklessly to shop this Christmas and failed to repay the bill, then you may have to spend the rest of the year through a financial hangover. You need to recover from the holiday spending hangover and set yourself up for the best financial year possible.
The best way to get rid of the post-holiday financial blues is to avoid unethical expenses in the first place. This will help you better manage your existing debts. However, to see significant changes in your financial health, you need to stick to the financial resolutions that you are making now for the rest of the year.
Here are some ways that can help you.
Stop spending more and more
The most crucial step to take after realizing this is to resolve not to repeat the same mistakes. You can’t go back in time and undo what you’ve done. So, stop repeating them! If overspending has created a financial mess, then make sure you don’t make this mistake in the future.
Follow a budget
Budgeting can always help you keep track of your income and expenses. As a result, it helps you reduce most of your unneeded spending.
Make it a habit of relying on debit cards
Keep your credit cards hidden. You should use debit cards from now on! Your credit limit is the same as your debit limit. It’s as simple as that. Your purchasing power is entirely determined by how much money you have in your bank accounts, not by how much credit you have available on your credit cards! If you keep this in mind when you go out to buy products or spend large amounts of money, your expenses will naturally be restrained!
Know the size of your debt
You must know the size of your debt. You must pick the form of debt repayment you’ll use to become debt-free.
Organize your holiday debts
After that, you’ll need to organize your debts so that you can pay them off.
Your decision will also determine which strategy you will choose to pay off your holiday debt.
If you’re going to follow the debt snowball method, for example, you’ll have to organize your debts with the least amount first and work your way up.
Maintain on-time debt payments
You must continue to make on-time debt payments on all debts you accumulated over the holidays. This will help you pay off your bills as quickly as possible and enhance your credit.
Avoid further borrowing right now
After the holidays, avoid taking on any new debt. Keep in mind that you will only be able to pay off your debt quickly if you stay away from fresh debt.
You can consider balance transfers.
If you transfer your debt, you can lower your interest rate, making it easier to make payments.
Start selling the items you bought but didn’t use
Sell the items you no longer need before their value depreciates. Random selling is just what you need.
Adopt good financial practices.
In the coming year, attempt to become more financially organized. Develop sound financial habits. Eat homemade food. Live on a shoestring budget. Put aside a set amount of money each month. Put money aside for emergencies.
Educate yourself financially so that you can make the most of the years ahead. It’s up to you to figure out how to mend your ways and set yourself up for the best financial year possible. Look closely at all of your spending to determine why you overspent. In doing so, you may discover that most of the expenses were very ‘desire’ focused, rather than ‘need’ oriented. Our desire for pleasure and optimum happiness often leads to want-oriented behaviors. Avoid the negative behavioral patterns that have dragged you into debt. Doing so, you can ensure a good financial life ahead.
