IT is January, the most difficult time of the year during which many families
struggle to make ends meet not necessarily because they cannot afford to put a
decent meal on the table but because of the many responsibilities that need
undertaking.
With a few dollars left from the Christmas and the New Year celebrations
expenditure, parents will need to pay rentals, school fees, buy new uniforms,
pay for transport costs and buy food.
To some the month of January feels like it is different from other months and
many joke that the month feels like it has more than 30 days. The problem is
popularly known as the “January disease”.
Other people joke about how the cabbage, which was used as salad in December
becomes more delicious than ever as relish in the month of January alongside
soya chunks.
With people having being paid their bonuses in December, impulsive buying is
one of the diseases that consumers develop. Without a laid out plan for the
holidays many will find themselves spending on clothes, parties and gifts,
whose purchase was never planned.
The Consumer Council of Zimbabwe executive director, Rosemary Mpofu, says
that consumers should draw up budget plans with their families and consult
each other on priorities.
She said proper planning helps eradicate the January disease mentality in
consumers as they would have done away with overspending through buying
things that were essential and priority.
“Of note, consumers need to plan and have proper budgets with families;
siblings consult each other on expenses at the same time listing priorities such
as rentals, utility bills, medication, food, travel expenses if any, at same time
keeping in mind that schools fees for first term 2023 inclusive of uniforms
needs to be saved for.
“We need to eradicate January disease mentality by preparing household
budgets catering for priority items needed as families, as we have noted that
mostly during the month of January some families struggle to put food on table
owing to excess spending.”