Hardship in January, myth or reality?

At the beginning of every new year, the month of January, though pregnant with expectations, comes with a lot of apprehension mainly premised on the myth that it is the hardest and longest month of the year in terms of managing finances. Many people therefore approach the month with mixed feelings; some prepared to confront […]

At the beginning of every new year, the month of January, though pregnant with expectations, comes with a lot of apprehension mainly premised on the myth that it is the hardest and longest month of the year in terms of managing finances.

Many people therefore approach the month with mixed feelings; some prepared to confront whatever challenges come their way, and others throwing themselves at the mercy of the month.

The month of January unfortunately falls within the harmattan season, which also connotes the dry season but that does not mean because it falls within the harmattan, people are bound to suffer untold hardship.

Micheal Falaye, a business analyst, told Homefront that most people tend to struggle in January because they failed to plan and prepare for the new month.

“The month of January comes every year, and we know those of us who are fortunate to see the new year must plan for it, so why must we always have the same complaints every year, instead of anticipating any challenges and saving to cushion the effects when they come,” Falaye said.

According to him, most Nigerians live above their means and unfortunately January comes immediately after the festive periods of Christmas and Year New or as most people say, the holiday season when people have expended all they have.

He said, “people tend to travel a lot, either abroad, or to their villages to spend the festive periods with their families which actually means more expenditure not planned for. Most people start to spend the money meant to be used for something else and come back borrowing or in debt because they want to keep up appearances.”

“Its lack of planning, that causes that long suffering,” he added.

Hauwa Zubairu,  a business woman opines that January is just like any other month, adding that it is not an extraordinary one because she plans for it.

“My husband gives me allowance for each month, for house keep and other expenses, but I think why people complain in January  has to do with the fact that they have to pay school fees at the beginning of the session, and depending on the number of children and the schools they attend that may require much money.”

“But if you plan for it, it will not be too difficult, so I still believe careful planning resolves all the problems,” explained Hauwa.

But even with careful budgeting and planning, 2017 was not an easy year, as the recession and economic downturn hit people very hard.

Mr Obinna Innocent, a banker, explains that the January 2018 will still be quite difficult for most people saying, “as you are aware the country is just coming out of recession but most people are yet to feel the impact, and you know this year our expenses doubled due to fuel scarcity.

“In Nigeria when there is fuel scarcity, everything becomes expensive; foodstuff, transportation, everything to aid human life, and it has not helped that the dollar rate is still N360 something. So for those planning on travelling, you can just imagine their ordeal.”

Mr Emeka Ejiofor, a media practitioner, says, “No matter how much you plan, January is always a difficult month, it feels too long and the challenges unending.”

“People are always saying, you must learn to plan to survive the month of January, but there is something about that month, everything is kind of slow in January, businesses are slow to pick up because there are no customers, people have no money to buy goods or services and when they need them, most tend to do so on credit.

“Government offices are slow; its takes time for things to get back to normal and for the offices to start running as it used to, because people are still in the holiday spirit.

“It’s generally a dry month, people just manage to pull through the month and pray that February gets better,” he sayd.

Madam Grace Ogene is a single mother. According to her, January is like any other month as they all come with their challenges.

She opines that January is the best month for her because, once she shops for the festive season, she still has a lot of left over for the month.

“I always have the children’s school fees sorted out, and all their school items are bought in December so in January I pack them off to school and am free.

“When the kids are home during the holidays you spend more, and you exhaust a lot of energy but once school resumes, it’s the teachers’ turn, so I can have some time for myself, since things at the office are gradually picking up,” Ogene said.

But for Mr Adewale Segun, a civil servant, married with four kids and who has to contend with his children’s school fees and pay his house rent all in January, the month is his greatest ordeal.

“No matter how much I plan, January is my tormentor, my house rent expires in January, my kids return to school in January, and am just returning from the festive season, the expenses are enormous.

“I always end up struggling; am just grateful for the kind of wife I have, who supports me and pays some of the expenses, because on my salary, it’s hell.

“I pray that the recession has gone for sure and that government policies begin to translate into productive impact in our lives, because its these things of hardship that make crime and corruption escalate in a nation,” Segun said.

He noted that, “Government policies need to start addressing some of the things the masses are clamoring for, such as social amenities, food, education and good roads and all the facilities that make life meaningful.”