Kelly's World | Aah, Christmas! The time fi done yuh money

By now, people would have (I hope) received their likkle Christmas money.

There is a pun intended on the likkle part because for some workers, the bonus isn't very big.

Then again, there is the fact that some people don't even get a bonus per se, so for those who do, many thanks.

And for those who got a likkle extra something in their pockets, give thanks again.

Now one of the great things about Christmas, at least from the more materialistic side of things, is that people buy stuff for the people they consider near and dear.

I remember as a child I couldn't wait to see what my parents and other relatives got me for that year.

Obviously, I can't remember all of the items, but I know I was never disappointed, and often surprised.

Being an adult, however, is another matter. Nobody ain't buying anything for you unless you have a significant other, or someone who a look you.

By the way, ladies, any one of you want to try and win me over, feel free to spend some Shearer! (smiles seductively)

But buying stuff when you're an adult isn't much fun, whether you're buying them for yourself or for somebody else.

You will, and I mean this literally for some, spend money you don't actually have. This is the season where credit cards can be both your best friend and your worst enemy, dependent on how you use them.

Whether it's on clothes, new gadgets, or going to parties or just drink ups, Christmas requires more than a few dollars.

 

'Real' Christmas

 

A 'real' Christmas just needs family and good friends, but if you're flying or driving to visit them, you still have travel expenses.

The real issue, though, is with January. The first month of the year can sometimes feel like it's two or three months long.

Because (some) people get paid a little earlier in December than they would normally during any other month, there is the possibility of finishing the money before January even comes around.

Problem is, trying not to spend money during Christmas is like trying not to eat something that is bad for you but tastes really good.

Sometimes, no matter how hard you try, it feels like the money just seems to disappear.

To be fair, that seems to be how money moves these days. Things, quite frankly, are just not as cheap as they used to be.

I've seen a meme going around with a picture of Leonardo DiCaprio from the movie The Great Gatsby, holding up a glass with liquor.

The caption says something along the lines of 'Braff wi a braff inna December and dead fi hungry a January'.

For the uninitiated, braff basically means to live it up. And I know a few people for whom that mentality is exactly what they will have for the season.

I just caution them, don't go begging your mom or your grandmother for their pension to help tide you over. That's just not happening.

So braff if yuh a braff. But tek time. Later.

- Link me at daviot.kelly@gleanerjm.com