6 psychological tricks to withstand the January slope

A series of keys to reduce the degree of expenses during the month of January, in the best possible way.

Christmas may be the time of family reunions and of strengthening emotional ties, but it is no less true that, for many people, it is also a major financial drain.

The dinners and the great amount of commitments linked to the consumption make that the expenses shoot up during those days and that one arrives to the month of January with the account of the month of January with the bill of the month of January. January arrives with the bank account shaking..

Enduring January's slope

There are certain psychological keys to better cope with the month of January after getting used to the excesses of Christmas. Here is a selection of the best ones.

1. Stay away from the TV

The most attractive and attention-grabbing advertising pieces are still on TV. They are relatively long advertisements, which cannot be "fast forwarded" to access the content we want to see and, in addition, they enter through our eyes and ears.

That's why during the January it is preferable not to be tempted by these advertising spots and switch either to the Internet or to reading on paper, if you are looking for entertainment without leaving the house.if you are looking for leisure without leaving home.

2. Write down a spending ceiling

Discipline is very important during the cost of January, and that is why it is good to set a spending ceiling for this month.

To make this measure more complete. You can also convert this spending limit in twoone for each fortnight, or four, to make it weekly. The closer in time these objectives are, the more effective their application will be.

3. Follow self-instructions when going shopping

When you go shopping, write down on a list what you want to get before you hit the streets (or browse an online store). That way it will be harder for you to be tempted to make impulse purchases.

4. Don't go shopping hungry

Although it may seem strange, it has been described a curious psychological effect that occurs when we go shopping while feeling hungry: we buy more. And no, we don't just buy more food, we don't just buy more food; we buy more of everything.. You can read more about this finding in this article.

So make sure you have a full stomach before you head out to the stores. That way, your rational side will have more maneuverability and won't be overpowered by cravings.

5. Analyze prices rationally

Every time you go to buy something unexpected or are hesitating between two brands of the same product, spend at least 20 seconds thinking about whether you are considering whether to buy the more expensive one for a reasonable reason or whether you are being influenced by a marketing strategy that creates a need you didn't have before.

For example, a good first step is to be wary of packs or versions of a product that are more expensive, but have an extra Will it really be useful for you to have that extra quantity? Are you really looking for a product like that, will you get value for money from all those qualities you pay for?

6. If you have children, act exemplary

To withstand the January slope is also to manage the domestic economy. If your sons or daughters see you spending as usual or even more, they will learn that they can also continue to spend their savings as usual, regardless of external circumstances.

This is called vicarious learning, a concept developed by psychologist Albert Bandura. In this case, vicarious learning implies that young people have the feeling that it is not necessary to manage periods of scarcity, and they will continue to spend the money they have been given or demand more.

That is why it is a good idea that also the younger ones participate in the management of that small economic crisis that is the January slope and learn to spend less in these dates.