Have you planned your January budget yet?

Many people are getting paid today instead of the 25th, which is a public holiday. There may be a little bit of bonus action in there for you. The temptation to get out there and spend, spend, spend, may be very high this weekend, however you should resist the urge if you can as it will make your life easier come the New Year. So have you planned your January budget yet and why should you worry about January today?

There will be an extra week before your next payday
The January sales offer massive savings
Your budget plan should be realistic

If you are getting paid today, rather than get too excited, put your bonus, if you got one, into paying off your debt. Debt has brought the world to its financial knees. Now is not the time to be getting further into debt. Debt trouble is still getting worse and there is no need for you to follow. Plan your budget realistically, as there will be one extra week before you get paid again in January. It may be great to get paid early this week, but now you have to make your money last longer than usual which means your budget becomes crucial.

It may not be the traditional way, but for the religious holidays why not just give a card, a small inexpensive or homemade gift. Then wait for the January sales and if you were planning on gifting someone special one of those big ticket items then wait until they go on sale. Buying just for the date makes very little sense to your finances and a card saying what is to come will just increase the anticipation, almost like getting the same gift twice.