Your silly season survival guide
How to enjoy summer without blowing your budget
The weather’s warming up, the phone is buzzing, work is winding down, and your calendar is suddenly looking a lot fuller than your bank account. Welcome to the silly season.
Between gifts, parties, travel and catching up with every friend you’ve ever met, it’s easy to get swept up and overspend. But the good news is you can still enjoy everything summer has to offer without the January regret.
We don’t want to start the new year off with a spending hangover from the silly season. Here’s how to make it through the festive season with your wallet and your sanity intact.
1. Plan your fun and your finances
Before things get too hectic, take five minutes to look at what’s coming up. How many events do you actually want (or need) to go to? Who are you buying gifts for? What costs are non-negotiable, and where can you scale back?
Set a total spending limit for the season, then divide it into categories like food, gifts, travel and entertainment. Knowing where your money’s going helps stop the “how did I spend that much?” moments later.
2. Don’t say yes to everything
It’s ok to say no! The holiday season has a way of turning into a social marathon. But every “yes” often comes with a price tag, whether it’s dinner, drinks or Secret Santa gifts.
Give yourself permission to skip events that don’t excite you or fit your budget. Your time and money are both limited resources, and saying no can be an act of self-care.
If you still want to celebrate, suggest budget-friendly catch-ups like beach picnics, backyard BBQs or potluck dinners. Chances are your friends will appreciate it too.
3. Set a gift strategy
Gifts are one of the biggest budget blowouts this time of year. It’s easy to feel pressure to spend big, but meaningful doesn’t have to mean expensive.
Try these ideas:
• Do a Secret Santa or Kris Kringle instead of buying for everyone.
• Set spending limits for family or friendship groups.
• Give experience gifts such as movie vouchers, homemade dinners or babysitting tokens.
• Use Raiz Rewards to earn cashback in your Raiz account and stretch your dollar further.
4. Keep an eye on everyday spending
Between festive chaos, it’s easy to let your regular budget slide. Coffee runs, takeaway dinners and “just one more drink” moments can quickly add up. It’s easy to get caught up and dread checking your bank account, but you need to!
Make sure you check in at least weekly through your banking app. Visibility is key. Seeing your numbers in black and white can be the gentle nudge you need to rein it in before it snowballs.
5. Plan for next year
If this year’s felt a bit tight, use that as motivation to set yourself up differently for next time. Start small by putting a little aside each pay to cover next year’s time off or holiday costs. It’s one of the easiest ways to take the stress out of the festive season.
A simple way to do this is by creating separate savings goals using Jars in the Raiz app. You can set up to six Jars for different things, whether it’s home upgrades, school fees or next year’s Silly Season fund, and choose how much to invest into each one automatically.
It keeps your money organised, your goals clear and your future self grateful when December rolls around again.
The takeaway
You don’t need to skip the fun to stay on budget. With a bit of planning, clear goals and small regular steps, you can enjoy the sunshine, the celebrations and the people you love without the financial hangover.
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This blog has been issued by Instreet Investment Limited (ACN 128 813 016 AFSL 434776) as Responsible Entity of the Raiz Invest Australia Fund (ARSN 607 533 022) and has been prepared without taking into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. Before acting on such information, you should conduct your own review or consult a financial advisor before making a decision to invest. Please read the relevant Product Disclosure Statement and any associated reference documents before making an investment decision. In accordance with the Design and Distributions Obligations, we maintain Target Market Determinations for our Funds. All documents can be found on the Raiz website www.raizinvest.com.au, or calling the Customer Support team on 1300 754 748. Please note that past performance is not a reliable indicator or guarantee of future performance. Historical returns, forecasts, and market commentary are provided for general informational purposes only. All investment carries risk and may result in loss of capital.
