Article: Sally Burdett from FAIRLADY
Image: Ablestock

JANUARY
Task: Get the year off to an organised start. Write down, in a small notebook, everything you spend for the month. If you're feeling particularly diligent, also note down your mood and spending motivators next to each purchase. At the end of the month, go through your notes and identify your spending weaknesses. You might be surprised to realise that your morning cappuccino is costing you more than your once-a-month facial.

Tip: Work out which things you value more and make a tiny spending sacrifice. Reward yourself by organising a girl's night in pick up some el-cheapo mud packs, invite a couple of friends round and create a spa at home. Ask everyone to bring one dish of eats as well. You don't need an expensive restaurant to guarantee a good time with friends.

FEBRUARY
Task: Work out how much debt you have. Add what you owe on the house, the car, the credit cards, the store cards. Stare long and hard at that round sum and decide to act on it now. You will need a plan here: The debt charging the most in- terest is the one you must target first it's probably your credit card or car payments.

Explore how you can push your more expensive debt into your bond. It's easier to keep your eye on the ball if you have one debt to tackle, and the lower interest rate will save you plenty.

Tip: Make your own Valentine cards by hand or by using the computer. It's not really about buying a big glossy R45 card but more about flirting for fun and making someone feel good. If you're pressed for time, send an anonymous e-card go to http://greetings.yahoo.com

MARCH
Task: Add at least R100 extra to your bond a month especially if you are anticipating a pay increase. Any little extra you pay into your bond makes a huge difference. Increase the payment amount rather than relying on yourself to make the extra deposit each month. That way you forget you ever had the extra cash in pocket.

Tip: Find out what your local community centre or university is up to rather than relying on expensive movies and dinner for all your entertainment, go to talks and lectures that will stimulate your mind, free of charge.

APRIL
Task: Organise yourself. Make a list of all your policies endowments, retirement annuities, pension plans, unit trusts. Are they still working for you? Perhaps you should be directing some of that money to paying off debt first. And don't forget your tax forms speak to an advisor now.

Tip: Buy flowers from your local flower market; prices are much lower and the blooms last longer than store-bought ones. Ask a local florist where they buy their flowers, and on which days. Then fill your house with cut-price blossoms.

MAY
Task: Do a wardrobe inventory. You may be stuck in the habit of buying more of what you already have instead of looking out for good items to fill the gaps in your wardrobe. If you're planning your winter closet now, make a list of items that are not currently hanging in your closet, noting also colours that will match existing items. Then go clothes shopping with a list, and compare prices before you commit.

Tip: Fashion is fantastic but fleeting, so rather look for low-cost accessories to update your wardrobe: Scarves, colour-trendy gloves, belts, hair clips and costume jewellery can add zing to your basics without breaking the bank. And look out for the FAIRLADY Fashion & Beauty Winter 2004 guide you will receive free with the May issue; it's packed with inspiration and great shopping advice.

JUNE
Task: Plan your December holiday now you'll avoid being forced into a last-minute plan that might cost you the earth. Pay for air tickets and book accommodation well in advance; it will also allow you six months to pay off the holiday.

Tip: Hopefully, if you're sticking to your debt repayment, you will see the pay-offs coming through by now. Don't be tempted to start spending again now there's light at the end of the tunnel.

JULY
Task: Start a holiday savings account so that, by the end of the year, you will have some extra cash to blow. If you can put aside R200 a month from now up to the end of the year, you will have at least R1 000 to spare. You won't be making unnecessary cuts into your Christmas bonus, or, if you don't get a bonus at the end of the year, you'll be creating your own nest egg. It's all about delayed gratification...

Tip: Join the library. No, it's not as glam as buying your books off the shelves of a trendy bookstore, but you should really only buy books as collector's items, not for recreational reading. Treat yourself by inviting your friends to a book evening with a difference: Tell them to bring the book that changed their lives and swap titles. It's a great way to extend your access to books and learn more about your friends.

AUGUST
Task: Clean out your wallet no, not by spending everything in it; we mean literally clean it out. Sort through the old credit card slips, the restaurant tabs and loose change. It's important to keep your purse compact and tidy when you know exactly what's in it, you'll know when something goes missing. So if someone nicks your card off you at the ATM (and don't think you're too sussed to fall for this it still happens) or filches a quick R50, you'll know about it pretty quickly if your purse is organised. It's all about taking control of what is yours.

Tip: Spoil yourself with a new wallet or purse. You'll feel good every time you use it and it will encourage you to keep your finances in order, on a very simple level.

SEPTEMBER
Task: It's spring, so sort through your wardrobe, bookshelves and kitchen cupboards and discard the items you don't use. Include books you've read but will never look at again.

You can often get a nominal amount for passing these on to second-hand book or clothing stores, or ask your domestic worker to sell them for you and give her a portion of the profit. Or, if you believe in the `what goes around, comes around' law, give generously to the universe: Donate the lot to charity and be thankful you have enough worldly goods to share a little.

Tip: Start Christmas shopping now you can spread the cost over three months and pick up bargains because nothing's been seasonally adjusted' yet.

OCTOBER
Task: Bully your bank manager. Visit your local branch and ask for a better bond rate, an upgrade on your account, and cheaper service fee rates. If you've borrowed up to your eyeballs, argue that it proves you always repay your debt and your fabulous credit rating should be rewarded. Equally, if you are Miss Goody Two Shoes and have paid off the car and the house way before their time, tell them to reward your diligence and contribution to easing the national debt burden.

Treat: Celebrate your newfound status at the bank with the purchase of an old-fashioned money box. Buy a beautiful enamel box, pretty jar or piggy bank for your extra cash.

NOVEMBER
Task: Cut out one of your usual spending sprees this month. Give up going to restaurants or clothes shopping for the whole of November. Every time you resist temptation, take what you would have spent and put it in your money box. Not only will you have a little windfall for the festive month ahead but it may also show you if you're spending too much on a particular activity.

Treat: Invest in one fab item for your wardrobe something that's timeless and beautifully made that little black dress for the party season, perhaps? Classic items will last for decades.

DECEMBER
Task: Enjoy the fruits of your financial labour.You should have paid for the holiday by now, made serious inroads into your debt and feel totally satisfied about your plan for your financial future. Glow with self-righteous satisfaction this month and try to put at least a portion of your bonus into the bond, the car or any other lurking debt.

Treat: This is the month to reflect on the new money discipline you've brought into your life. Oh, and to spend your savings from the year as you wish. You might be surprised to discover that you don't want to blow it all but put some aside to build up a savings account.