{"id":667891,"date":"2026-01-02T00:30:16","date_gmt":"2026-01-02T00:30:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/667891\/"},"modified":"2026-01-02T00:30:16","modified_gmt":"2026-01-02T00:30:16","slug":"money-saving-tips-to-make-christmas-wages-last-until-january-payday","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/667891\/","title":{"rendered":"Money-saving tips to make Christmas wages last until January payday"},"content":{"rendered":"

Many workers paid early before Christmas face a five-week wait until their next salary arrivesLinda Howard<\/strong> Money and Consumer Writer and Andrew Nuttall<\/strong><\/a> U35 Lifestyle Writer<\/p>\n

13:44, 01 Jan 2026<\/p>\n

\"ManAn early pay day last month could mean a five-week wait for your next one in January(Image: Rosemary Calvert via Getty Images)<\/p>\n

As the festive period comes to an end, the stark reality is that those who received their December wages early due to the bank holidays are now facing an extended wait until their next payday in January. For some employees, this could mean toughing out a five-week gap – or even longer – between paydays.<\/p>\n

The dawn of a new year is often a financially challenging period for many families. With the ongoing cost-of-living crisis, coupled with another slight increase in energy bills<\/a> that took effect on January 1, this year could prove particularly tough.<\/p>\n

However, putting a few minor financial changes in place at the start of the month could remove a lot of concerns and tide you over until your next payday. Here are some practical tips to help you tighten your purse strings and ensure your money lasts until your next payday in January, reports the Daily Record<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Regularly check your balance<\/strong><\/p>\n

One important step to take between your December payday and the next one is to keep a close eye on your bank balance. Staying informed about your incoming and outgoing funds, particularly when payments or bills are due, will give you a clearer idea of how much you can afford to spend.<\/p>\n

Keeping a record of all outgoing payments, whether on paper or in a notes app on your phone, tablet, or PC, can help you in budgeting within your means and significantly curb the temptation to overspend.<\/p>\n

\"CheckingChecking your balance regularly this month should help make sure all expenses can be covered(Image: Westend61 via Getty Images)Set a budget and keep it separate<\/strong><\/p>\n

Work out what cash you have remaining after covering your regular bills and purchasing essentials, such as food, utility bills, petrol for your car or money for your commute. From this point, you can see what’s left and then split the remainder across the days or weeks until your January pay day.<\/p>\n

Once you’ve established your budget, keep the sum for essentials in a physically different place, like a separate account. It might seem like there is only a small amount left, but it will make you more mindful of what you can spend your money on.<\/p>\n

It’s also vital to keep track of any Direct Debits, standing orders and recurring payment dates, so you don’t get caught off guard and end up going into overdraft. Any dates that normally fall around the start of the month could shift due to the Bank Holiday, so it’s worth checking everything.<\/p>\n

\"womanTry and set a budget and stick with it to stretch your salary through to January payday(Image: Getty Images)Hunt for those yellow stickers<\/strong><\/p>\n

The 2nd of January could bring bargains without the big spending as supermarkets<\/a> will be discounting stock leftover from New Year<\/a> in an attempt to minimise loss through non-sales. Fresh fruit and vegetables, festive party snacks, turkeys, beef joints, trifles, cream, cooked hams and even milk will be ones to keep an eye out for – along with other short shelf life products found in the dairy or produce sections.<\/p>\n