December energy in the city that never sleeps is unmatched, and it is a perfect reflection of how it is in most cities in Nigeria; decorative lights, parties galore, hiked prices, and a populace excited about the holidays while dreading what their accounts would like in January, but choosing to adopt YOLO (You Only Live Once) as the motto for the season. Let’s be honest: there is something in the Nigerian air once December 1st hits. The harmattan dust isn’t just carrying dry wind; it’s carrying a spirit of enjoyment. Suddenly, the “sapa” that held you hostage in October feels like a distant memory. Your favorite afrobeats artist is headlining a concert, your “I Just Got Back” (IJGB) cousins are in town with fresh accents, and the wedding invitations (“Aso-Ebi” included) are piling up on your table. Lagosians call this season “Detty December”.
This is the season where Lagos alone can generate a staggering $71.6 million (approximately ₦100 billion+) in hospitality revenue in just a few weeks, according to recent reports on festive spending. We spend on concerts, we spend on food that suddenly costs 30% more because it’s “festive rice,” and we spend to impress people we won’t see again until next end-of-the-year. But then comes the reckoning; January.
If December is a sprint, January is a marathon; a 60-day month that tests your will (and your bank account balance). We have all been there: waking up on January 4th, checking your bank app with one eye closed, and realising that your “Detty December” has led to a very “Dusty January.”
It doesn’t have to be this way. You can enjoy your holidays and still have a great January. To ensure your January is not looking like December leftovers, we have put together a guide to navigating the festive excitement without waking up to financial regrets in 2026.
The Economics of “Enjoyment” (Or, Why You Spend So Much)
Before we get to the guide, can we talk about why we spend so much during the holidays? Why exactly does our money vanish so fast in December?
It’s not just you; it’s the economy of the season. Data from WhirlSpot Media suggests that Nigerian consumer spending spikes drastically in December, driven by a “now or never” mentality. We are fighting two battles here:
- Inflationary Pressure:With food inflation hovering around high double digits, the cost of hosting a simple family dinner has nearly doubled compared to two years ago. That bag of rice isn’t just a bag of rice anymore, it’s an asset class.
- The “Social Inflation” Effect:This is the pressure to match the spending energy of your peers. When everyone is posting brunch at that new spot in Victoria Island or buying tables at the biggest concerts, the Fear Of Missing Out (FOMO) triggers an irrational spending spree.
So, how do you fight back? You don’t need to become a Scrooge; you just need a strategy, and this is where our guide comes in.
Strategy 1: The “Vex Money” Budgeting Rule
You know the “50/30/20” rule (50% needs, 30% wants, 20% savings)? You may want to consider throwing that out the window for December. It’s not realistic. Instead, adopt the “Vex Money” Principle.
“Vex money” in Nigerian parlance is the cash you keep safe so that if a date goes wrong, you can pay your bills and leave. In this context, it’s the money you put aside for January bills before you spend a dime on December fun.
How to execute this:
Calculate your fixed January expenses; Rent (if due), school fees, transport to work, and basic food. Add 10% for “unforeseen inflation.” This total figure is your Financial Vex Money.
The Hack: Move this money immediately out of your main spending account. If you can see it, you will spend it.
Strategy 2: Dodge the “Fake” Transfer Scams (And Secure Your Funds)
December is “hunting season” for pickpockets and digital scammers. The chaos of crowded concerts and late-night events makes you vulnerable. There is nothing that ruins a holiday faster than a stolen phone leading to a drained bank account.
You need to fraudproof your banking. Most banking apps are secure, but what happens if someone forces you to open your app? If you bank with the Alternative bank, then in addition to the usual security features of the bank app, you have the Panic Password. Imagine this scenario; Dele is at a crowded event. Someone corners him and demands that he open his bank app to transfer money. He types in his Panic Password instead of his real one. What happens? The app opens, but it shows a significantly lower balance (only 10% of his funds). The intruder thinks he is broke, likely takes the 10%, and leaves a bulk of Dele’s money untouched. It’s such a helpful, “street smart” banking feature, especially for the holiday season.
Strategy 3: Earn While You “Detty” (Gold is the New Cash)
We often think of spending and saving as enemies. You are either spending money or saving it. But what if the act of spending actually helped you build a portfolio?
One of the biggest regrets of January is looking at your transaction history and seeing 50 transfers to vendors, restaurants, and Uber drivers with nothing to show for it.
One good solution for this is to use a transaction channel that rewards you. We don’t mean to brag but when you transact in our bank app, we have a feature called Gold Token Earnings. For every interbank transfer you make on the app, you earn 25 micrograms of gold. Yes, actual gold. If you make 20 transfers this December (paying for Aso-Ebi, splitting bills, sending “urgent 2k”), you are passively accumulating gold that you can convert to cash in your app.
Strategy 4: The “Pre-Game” Hosting Tactic
Data from consumer price indices shows that restaurant and bar prices inflate by roughly 20-30% during the holidays. A bottle of drink that costs ₦15,000 in a supermarket can easily go for ₦45,000 at a club.
If you want to survive December, you need to master the art of the “Pre-Game.”
- Host at Home:Invite friends over for drinks and food before heading out. You control the budget.
- The “Potluck” System:Stop trying to be the “odogwu spending” of your squad. If you are hosting, ask everyone to bring one One person brings drinks, another brings small chops, you provide the Jollof.
- Bulk Buying:Buy essentials in bulk if you run a small business or just have a large family. Buying a bag of rice now may be cheaper in the longrun than buying cups in late December.
Strategy 5: Know When to Say “I’m Not Around”
This is the hardest financial advice to follow, but the most effective. You do not have to attend every event. Look at your calendar. Circle the 3-5 events that matter most to you. For the rest, practice this sentence: “Omo, I would have loved to come, but I have a prior commitment.” (Your commitment is to your bank account and your peace of mind).
December is Temporary, Wealth is Permanent
The goal of this article isn’t to stop you from having fun. You worked hard this year. You survived the traffic, the emails, and the hustle. You deserve that grilled chicken and that concert ticket.
But true enjoyment is peace of mind. There is no vibe killer quite like the anxiety of debt. This year, challenge yourself to do it differently.
- Lock your January expenses away in the Alt Bank app or AltInvest.
- Secure your account with the Panic Password.
- Earn gold while you transfer.
- Learn to prioritise and say “no”.
- As a bonus, you can join a Twitter/X space session on Friday the 19th of December by 6pm where we talk about “Detty December vs. Janu-worry: How to ball Without Drinking Garri in 2026”. You get to learn, gist with other attendees in the chats, and ask any questions you have. Register here.
Enjoy all the vibes and cruise this December, but remember that January has 60 days, so plan for it. Happy Holidays!
