You don’t have to overspend
Dec 04, 2008
CHRISTMAS is around the corner and many people are itching to go on a spending spree because they have saved all year for this season. But because you have saved hard, it does not mean you should rush to spend all your savings. It pays to have a budget for the festive season.
By Jude Katende
CHRISTMAS is around the corner and many people are itching to go on a spending spree because they have saved all year for this season. But because you have saved hard, it does not mean you should rush to spend all your savings. It pays to have a budget for the festive season.
Food
Food is the central item on many people’s festive season lists. Prices of essential commodities such as cooking oil have shot up and there is no indication of them going down soon.
But even before this, fish, beef, pork and chicken rates had already soared. Upcountry, the price of matooke rose from sh5,000 to sh8,000 a bunch. In urban areas it goes for twice that.
Chicken, in most places, goes for between sh8,000 and sh10,000. To survive through the Christmas season, ration the food and get alternatives.
Cut down on the amount of meat and chicken and get more groundnuts, beans or peas. Besides being fresh and healthy, they are not as expensive as meat. Fish too, is healthy but is more expensive than chicken. Prepare food sparingly and do not waste it.
Opt for inexpensive hotels
Many hotels provide special festive season treats but such treats do not come cheap. Look around for those with pocket friendly rates.
A visit to the beach is worth considering because a big fish is enough for a small family. If you go upcountry, search for places with good but affordable food.
Upcountry trips
With bus and taxi drivers contemplating raising fares due to fuel scarcity, you can forego the annual upcountry trip. But fuel scarcity or not, transport fares go up during festive seasons.
Granted, some people prefer to spend Christmas in their villages but if the cost of transporting your family is too high, postpone the visit to another date. You can hit the village a week earlier — when fares are still “normalâ€.
Christmas attire
Must you always be seen in a new dress at Christmas mass? I think not. A well-maintained outfit and shoes will allow you mark the day without draining your bank account.
You can also opt to have an attire made by your tailor who does not increase prices no matter what the season is. If you must, buy an inexpensive pair of shoes for the day.
Before you splash cash around during the festive season, think about costs such as school fees that will come up later.
CHRISTMAS is around the corner and many people are itching to go on a spending spree because they have saved all year for this season. But because you have saved hard, it does not mean you should rush to spend all your savings. It pays to have a budget for the festive season.
Food
Food is the central item on many people’s festive season lists. Prices of essential commodities such as cooking oil have shot up and there is no indication of them going down soon.
But even before this, fish, beef, pork and chicken rates had already soared. Upcountry, the price of matooke rose from sh5,000 to sh8,000 a bunch. In urban areas it goes for twice that.
Chicken, in most places, goes for between sh8,000 and sh10,000. To survive through the Christmas season, ration the food and get alternatives.
Cut down on the amount of meat and chicken and get more groundnuts, beans or peas. Besides being fresh and healthy, they are not as expensive as meat. Fish too, is healthy but is more expensive than chicken. Prepare food sparingly and do not waste it.
Opt for inexpensive hotels
Many hotels provide special festive season treats but such treats do not come cheap. Look around for those with pocket friendly rates.
A visit to the beach is worth considering because a big fish is enough for a small family. If you go upcountry, search for places with good but affordable food.
Upcountry trips
With bus and taxi drivers contemplating raising fares due to fuel scarcity, you can forego the annual upcountry trip. But fuel scarcity or not, transport fares go up during festive seasons.
Granted, some people prefer to spend Christmas in their villages but if the cost of transporting your family is too high, postpone the visit to another date. You can hit the village a week earlier — when fares are still “normalâ€.
Christmas attire
Must you always be seen in a new dress at Christmas mass? I think not. A well-maintained outfit and shoes will allow you mark the day without draining your bank account.
You can also opt to have an attire made by your tailor who does not increase prices no matter what the season is. If you must, buy an inexpensive pair of shoes for the day.
Before you splash cash around during the festive season, think about costs such as school fees that will come up later.