By Tanita Conradie, CFP®*
January has a way of sending you the bill for December: when the holiday is over, many South Africans are left with a knot in their stomach when they think about their bank account. It’s that ‘how did I let this happen again?’ feeling.
If that sounds familiar, you’re in good company. It happens to people at every income level, and I’ve had a few of those Januaries myself.
With the December break fast approaching, I thought this a good time to talk about ‘lifestyle creep’. This describes what happens when bad spending habits take over as your income grows, leaving less money for savings and investments.
And the December period is the perfect example of how we break our discipline and spend as if we’ve got unlimited income.
The problem is that this seasonal overspending can easily become a habit that’s hard to break. We’ve all heard stories about living beyond your means because everyone else is driving a flashy new car, taking extended overseas holidays or living in a palace of a house.
How to keep lifestyle creep out of your budget
The good news is that beating lifestyle creep doesn’t mean giving up the things you enjoy. A few small habits, kept up through the year, make a bigger difference than any resolution we make in January.
It starts with knowing where the money goes, and I’ll admit a budget isn’t anyone’s idea of fun. But it’s hard to decide what’s worth spending on until we can see what we’re spending now, and it’s often a surprise.
The same goes for a raise. When more money starts arriving each month, it’s very easy for our spending to grow to match it without us noticing.
Moving part of the increase into savings or your retirement fund on payday, before you get used to having it, means it’s working for you and you won’t miss what you never saw.
A year-end bonus is the easiest money there is to spend, because it feels like a reward for a year of hard work, and it is one.
What makes a difference for many of us is deciding what it will do before it arrives: some for the emergency fund, some for debt or retirement, and a slice that’s purely for fun, so you can enjoy that part without guilt.
A new car can look like the perfect reward, but the petrol, insurance and maintenance keep coming long after the excitement has worn off.
Then there are the treats. Something we once saved up for can slowly become something we expect, and that’s fine if you still love it. It’s just worth asking now and then whether it’s still a treat, or whether it’s become part of what you spend every month.
It also helps to remember what all of this is for. Whether it’s an emergency fund, your children’s education or your retirement, those goals are what your money is really working towards, and the more of them that are covered, the more you can enjoy the rest without a second thought.
How that balance looks will be different for everyone.
Make next January feel different
None of this is about giving up the fun. If your goals are being looked after, go ahead and enjoy the holidays, the meals and the gifts. That’s what all that hard work is for.
Picture the first week of next January: the bills are covered, your savings are still on track and there’s nothing to dread. A little planning now can give you that feeling, and it doesn’t have to be perfect. A few small changes are enough to start.
Megan joined the Brenthurst Wealth team in March 2026 as an Administrative and Fiduciary Services Assistant at our Val de Vie Office in the Western Cape. Prior to joining Brenthurst, Megan gained three years of experience in the retail sector, where she developed management and client service skills.
I obtained my National Diploma in Financial Information Systems from the Cape Peninsula University of Technology in 1999 and have worked in the wealth management industry since January 2000. Over the years, I have gained extensive experience in various roles, including Portfolio Manager Assistant, Planner Assistant, and Paraplanner.
Esmarelda Isaacs-Andreas joined the Brenthurst Wealth Stellenbosch office in October 2025, taking on the dual role of Receptionist and Fiduciary Administrator.
I obtained my National Diploma in Financial Information Systems from the Cape Peninsula University of Technology in 1999 and have worked in the wealth management industry since January 2000. Over the years, I have gained extensive experience in various roles, including Portfolio Manager Assistant, Planner Assistant, and Paraplanner.
Ashley joined Brenthurst Wealth in January 2025 as Office Administrative Assistant and Receptionist for the Stellenbosch Office.
René Heystek joined Brenthurst Wealth in November 2023, as receptionist and administrative assistant in the newly established George/Garden Route office.
Michelle Heystek has built a career in the financial services over the last two decades, after obtaining her B.Com degree in Financial Management in 2005. Once she joined Brenthurst in 2006, she continued her academic journey, obtaining her Certificate in Wealth Management from INSETA in 2007, followed by a Postgraduate Diploma in Financial Planning from the University of the Free State. In 2008, she earned the Certified Financial Planner (CFP®) designation.
Anelle joined Brenthurst Wealth as a Receptionist and Administrative Assistant to Brian Butchart in the Cape Town office in December 2023. She has a wealth of knowledge from working as a liaison between Financial Advisers and clients at TMA and Absa Investment Management Services (Aims) since 1998. She obtained her B. com degree from the University of Port Elizabeth in 1997.
ADMITTED ATTORNEY | FINANCIAL PLANNER & HEAD OF BRENTHURST FOURWAYS
Sanet was appointed in April 2020, joining our Cape Town team as an Executive Administration Assistant to Renee Eagar. She has been in the financial services industry since 1990. Her previous experience includes positions at Sanlam, BJM and ABSA. She spent her last 12 years working at Alexander Forbes Private Client Wealth as a Senior Wealth Management Assistant. She has received numerous accolades over the years which include but not limited to, Alexander Forbes Client Service Excellence – Silver award in 2014,2015 and 2017. Sanet has also obtained her Certificate in Wealth Management (NQF 5) in 2012 and achieved “Best Student of the Year” from Moonstone.
Maria Smit is a Certified Financial Planner® with over 10 years of experience in the financial planning industry.
