It’s that time of the year again when you feel the urge to prove to your friends that you have enough money in your bank account. Everyone wants to have a “Detty December” but forget that their January can be “dirty” too.
Detty December is Nigeria’s unofficial end-of-year season. At this time, on the streets of Lagos, there are concerts, parties, and nonstop fun. With the return of the IJGBs (I Just Got Back), the energy gets high, and so does the spending.
Everyone is in the mood to enjoy, go out, and treat themselves, often without thinking too much about how much they’re spending. The “long January” is when critical non-negotiable expenses finally hit hard.
December doesn’t have to be a financial free-for-all. Smart individuals and business leaders know it’s actually the final, most important quarter of the year, a time to enjoy responsibly while making deliberate financial choices.
According to Margaret Banasko, Head of Marketing at FairMoney MFB, the key is shifting from emotional spending to planning. From using simple budgeting rules like the 50/30/20 method, to setting up automated savings and leaning on flexible tools such as FlexiCredit as a liquidity buffer, there are practical ways to enjoy the season without compromising your Q1 plans.
Here are five practical ways Banasko recommends to help you enjoy Detty December fully without dirtying your pocket.
Read also: 5 ways to maximise your mobile data budget for Detty December
1. Capitalise on discounted bill payments
The increased consumption of utilities, airtime, and data during this period necessitates higher essential recurring costs. Smart financial governance dictates actively seeking value in these high-frequency expenditures.
To avoid this, pay all essential bills, from electricity tokens to data bundles and Cable TV subscriptions. This ensures that operational necessity does not unduly drain capital.
Every percentage saved on recurring utilities is capital effectively preserved for critical Q1 requirements.
2. Implement the 50/30/20 rule strategically
Acknowledge the inevitable social expenditure of Detty December by imposing a clear framework for resource allocation. This strategic rule dictates how your income must be distributed to ensure financial security.
Divide your December income into three non-negotiable categories: Allocate 50% of your income directly to critical January financial requirements like rent, transportation, and structured debt payments; this sum must not be compromised.
Allocate 30% to your discretionary December wants, covering social activities, gifts, and controlled splurges; once this budget threshold is met, spending must cease. Crucially, assign the remaining 20% to structured savings and investment.
3. Convert festive windfalls into Capital
Do not view every incoming festive cash gift or unexpected bonus as mere spending money. Instead, strategically treat any financial windfall as a direct deposit into your future wealth accumulation.
The 100% rule applies here. Commit to saving or investing 100% of any financial gift, as this capital was not part of your planned income, offering a critical opportunity to grow your savings effortlessly. Immediately isolate any unexpected cash injections and categorise them as investment capital rather than disposable income.
4. De-risk your December savings strategy
FairMoney’s premium, revolving credit line up to ₦5,000,000, FlexiCredit, serves as a crucial liquidity shield over your protected capital.
Instead of being forced to prematurely break fixed deposits or liquidate interest-earning savings accounts to cover sudden, urgent expenses such as an unexpected repair or a short-notice business need, you can immediately draw the required funds from your FlexiCredit limit.
This allows critical, ring-fenced funds to remain untouched, continue accruing interest, and maintain their full readiness for the inevitable “Long January” obligations like rent and school fees.
5. Prioritise high-value, low-cost experiential activities
While Detty December’s allure often stems from high-ticket social events and luxury venues, truly impactful celebrations are measured by the quality of connection, not the cost of admission.
Instead of defaulting to expensive restaurant dinners, exclusive concerts, or impulse travel, strategically redirect your social budget toward creative, high-value experiential activities.
Organise themed potlucks with friends, host a family Christmas hangout at home, or explore local attractions like parks and museums that offer rich experiences without the premium price tag.
By substituting generic, high-cost outings with thoughtful, collective events, you significantly slash discretionary spending while often increasing the depth and enjoyment of the festive season, guaranteeing maximum emotional return on minimum financial investment.
Read also: Finally, Ghana is set to legalise and regulate crypto assets by December 2025
