That time of the year is here, yet again and the excitement once more fills the air. Women in particular cannot wait to show off to that neighbour, colleague, family and friends about how much their husbands earn in form of impulse shopping, buying even stuff they have never heard, tasted or known. Who cares, right? After all, it is Christmas and we shop till we drop. We will spend until there is no room left in the house to store our loot. Or is it?
Each year, we are reminded about prudency in expenditure and avoid being carried away by the season, with its so-called special offers and goodwill spirit. I am here to do the reminding again, especially women. Take time to reflect upon every intended purchase and its necessity before antagonising the heads of the family about releasing finances that we will need at a later date for things such as school fees, rentals, medical bills, upkeep, seed and fertilisers. And as schools close, let us shift from feeding the households exotic cuisines that will have an impact on our pockets and stick to normalcy for the sake of sanity. Nowhere is it written that Decembers are for binging or experimenting on the likes of prawns, caviar, couscous, cappuccinos, expressos and the many out of reach commodities we would like to avenge on when time and bonuses permit. Indulge we might, without going overboard or retching thereafter from over doing or disgust of the taste buds.
That child might need a pair of new shoes or uniform come January next year which has, along the festive season, been traded for an action figure of remote control car. People in the villages looking up to us may be lacking even a bar of soap while the season pushes us to a bar of chocolate. Consider investing in the ‘December loot’ in something tangible this year and watch how much it will make strides in our lives.
We do not have to please or compete with anybody in living our lives. We do not have to purchase decorations to outdo anybody. Yes, engage the festive gear to limits with considerations of other needs and necessity once the phase passes. Celebrate we must without overstretching ourselves, in particular the fact that we get paid earlier than normal and earn a 13th cheque. Again, let us avoid being public or private nuisances that will take us to the other side of the law. It is not worth the trouble to taint our images, that of our families, workplaces and friends for the simple reason that we are in the celebration mode. Let us not throw caution to the wind for the purposes of making merry. Once it is all over, there will be consequences, reflections and explanations to make.
I know many will argue that nobody should tell us how to live their lives or spend their hard-earned money. Most believe in self apologies (kudzipepesa). True. But a little advice does not hurt and I am not hindered from giving it. Take time to reflect and observe the repercussions.
