Omg, I Ran Out of Money in the First Week of January... Happy New Year!
Every January, it’s the same story: overindulgence, overspending, overeating—the trifecta of holiday chaos leaves me broke and scrambling to survive the month.
The most mortifying part? I got double salary in November and early pay in December, and I still managed to blow through it all... and then some.
This isn’t a one-time thing—it’s a recurring cycle, one of my greatest shames. Managing my frantic spending habits feels like trying to hold water in my hands. And now, here I am, with just €290 in my account and a long list of bills looming.
The Spending Habit
Let’s be real: I’ve been reckless. The breakdown of my January payments is terrifying:
Jan 6: €258
Jan 7: €39.43
Jan 11: €18.65
Jan 13: €4.87
Jan 13: €10.15
Jan 13: €10.15
Jan 16: €10
Jan 21: €7.45
Jan 21: €3.44
By the time I cover these, I’ll be €72.14 in the negative. This is before I’ve even thought about groceries.
It’s forcing me to get really creative. I’ve cancelled subscriptions, started planning to sell unused items around the house, and realised I need to eat at the office as much as possible (bless that end-of-month billing system).
But beneath the surface, this is about more than bad financial decisions.
The Emotional Cost
Over the past few weeks, I’ve noticed a troubling disconnect from my emotions. When I feel this void, my unhealthy spending habits rear their ugly head.
A lot of it comes down to fear: the fear that if I don’t pay for things—dinners, gifts, holidays—my family or friends will leave me behind. It’s a deep-rooted insecurity that’s hard to shake.
But here’s the kicker: friends rarely reciprocate. They assume, because of my corporate job, I’m rolling in cash. They don’t realise I’m drowning under the weight of my financial burdens.
A Turning Point
Today, I stumbled across Ramit Sethi’s How to Get Rich on Netflix. For the first time, I felt less alone. There are others like me—high earners living paycheck to paycheck, trying to fill an emotional void with things.
It’s made me ask: at what cost does this lifestyle come?
I’m the brokest I’ve ever been. I’m lonely, unsatisfied, and feel like life is going nowhere.
Looking Ahead
2025 has to be different. It’s time for big changes—financially, emotionally, and in how I live my life. My 30s are already underway, and I’m not where I want to be yet.
Here are a few concrete steps I’m taking to get back on track:
Declutter and Sell: I’m going through my home to find items I can sell online—old gadgets, clothes, and anything else I no longer use. This should help me cover groceries for the rest of the month.
Meal Prep with a Budget: I’ll focus on low-cost meals using pantry staples I already have. No eating out this month unless it’s on my office badge.
Side Hustles: I’m exploring ways to bring in extra cash—maybe freelance work or small gigs that fit into my schedule.
Set Spending Boundaries: I’ve set limits on discretionary spending and cancelled subscriptions I don’t truly need. It’s a small start, but it’s a step towards healthier financial habits.
Emotional Work: Financial habits are deeply tied to emotions, so I’m continuing to work with a professional to address the fears and insecurities that lead to overspending.
By focusing on these steps, I’m hoping to create a foundation for a better relationship with money and myself. Here’s to making 2025 the year of change.