Christmas is so last year. But, now all the merriment is behind us, many will be kicking off the New Year by shelving our little indulgences in life and sacrificing old favourites in favour of healthy habits. January is also a long month money-wise for those who get paid early for Christmas, so many of us have to make our wages stretch until our usual January pay date. All in all, this adds up to a month that can feel like a long and demotivating slog – what a way to start the year, huh?
But fear not – there are many ways in which you can beat the January blues and inject some sunshine into a dismal month. Here are our thoughts on how to love the start of the year:
Start a January motivation money jar
The food-filled festive season prompts many of us to start the New Year with a new health regime, cutting back on unhealthy food and ramping up fitness habits.
Filling a jar with the money that would otherwise have been spent on sweets, fast food or car journeys that you’re now tackling on foot is a great way to keep motivated. Estimate how much you would typically spend per week on what you have given up and pop it in your jar. Physically seeing how much you’re saving can be a real eye-opener and help you make your new habits stick. Then all you have to do is decide what to do with the money you’ll be saving!
Staying in is the new going out . . .
…for the time-being! For some, the temptation of days and nights out with friends can be too hard to resist, and can get pricey! But getting together with your nearest and dearest doesn’t have to be expensive. You can host movie nights or themed dinners with friends and family, or even use January as an excuse to go solo and fit in some much needed down time with a box set or a good book! Westworld is a great head-scratcher of a TV series to indulge in, particularly if Sci-Fi is your thing. The six existing series of Game of Thrones are also a must-see in the run up to the seventh series starting later this year. You can even catch up or re-watch TV from the Christmas period using free on-demand services like BBC iPlayer. So this time you can wow everyone by knowing all the answers to the Big Fat Quiz of the Year!
The alternative night out
Saving in January doesn’t always mean a retreat into hibernation. If bingeing out on series isn’t your thing, why not search out cheaper treats and free events in your area? Many cinemas offer cheap tickets on certain days of the week, bowling can be great and inexpensive fun, or you could try a free gig or open mic comedy night to expand your horizons. At this time of year, there are still some great festive activities on offer too, like ice skating.
Set yourself a challenge and get campaigning!
Starting a fundraising campaign is an amazing way of turning the January slog into a positive goal and also gives you a great excuse for cutting down on costly social occasions. The challenge could be linked to a New Year’s Resolution, like running a mini-marathon, scaling a mountain or giving up alcohol, or could be simply to do some good and kick off your New Year’s karma the right way.
A great way to start fundraising is to club together with others, be it at work or home, and set a fundraising goal along with some fun challenges. Cancer Research has an amazing A-Z fundraising ideas list including sponsored head-shaving and leg waxing for those feeling brave! Social media, fundraising sites and good old pen and paper sponsorship forms are key to smashing your targets and keeping motivated.
Make January your planning month
Finally, January won’t last forever! And as the slightly-annoying but true phrase goes, fail to prepare, and prepare to fail. Embrace this month as a time to reflect on 2017, look forward to the year ahead and the ways you can focus on your goals, whatever they might be. Whether that’s trialling a new way of getting to work, preparing meals ahead of time to help you cut back on convenience food, or finding a way of saving small amounts each week.
Be sure to look at Sunny blogs, and new ones to come, for useful saving tips and everyday life hacks.
