Januworry is Real: What to Do If Overspending in December Left You in Debt
How debt counseling can help South Africans regain control after holiday overspending.
Masingana is often the most difficult financial month of the year for South Africans. After the December holiday spending spree, reality quickly sets in: school fees, transportation costs, groceries, debt payments and everyday expenses all come at once. This major stressor is very common and has a name: In January.
If you start the year worried about money, you are not alone. Many families spend a lot of money in December not because they are careless, but because December brings emotional spending, social expectations and the hope that “things will get better in time”. The good news is this: even if spending too much in December left you in debt, the rest of your year doesn’t have to be wasted.
Why January Feels Hard Financially
January packs a lot of financial pressures into one month. Families face school-related costs, high food and transportation costs and full debt payments at the same time often without a break in income.
For many, that’s when they realized that December’s spending wasn’t just “extra”, it had put their finances in a position where the payments were no longer manageable.
December Signs Overspending Has Turned into a Debt Problem
You may be facing real financial stress if you experience any of the following:
• Struggling to make minimum debt payments
• Using credit for essential items such as food or electricity
• Falling behind on accounts or meeting deadlines
• Receiving frequent calls or messages from creditors
• Feeling anxious, stressed or unable to sleep because of money
Why Ignorance Makes Things Worse in March
Many people try to “push” January, hoping that things will get better once the year settles down. Unfortunately, ignoring debt stress often makes it worse. Interest continues to accrue, missed payments add penalties and by March or April, financial difficulties are often more severe than in January.
Early action is key. Addressing this problem now can prevent months, or even years, of unnecessary stress.
What Is Credit Counseling And How Does It Work?
Credit counselling, also known as credit review, is a legal process regulated under the National Credit Act. It is designed to help over-indebted South Africans regain control of their finances without taking on new debt.
An NCR registered credit counselor assesses your income, expenses and debts, and restructures your payments into an affordable monthly amount. Creditors are negotiated, interest can be reduced and you are protected from legal action as long as you stick to the plan.
If you have ever wondered “what is credit counseling?” or “how does debt review work?”, the main answer is simple: it creates a breathing space so you can pay off debt in an orderly, manageable way.
How Credit Review Can Make Your Year Stable
Instead of letting December snowball excessively into long-term debt, debt review can help you stabilize throughout 2026 by:
• Reducing monthly payments to affordable levels
• To stop the harassment of debtors
• Protecting valuable assets such as your car and home
• Replacing chaos with a clear, organized plan
• To help you work towards becoming debt free
This is why debt counseling in South Africa remains one of the most effective ways to relieve debt for people facing Januworry.
This is fixable
Januworry affects millions of South Africans every year. It is common, understandable and most importantly manageable with the right support. Taking action now does not mean you have failed. It means you choose not to let one difficult month define your entire year.
Share Your Januworry Experience
At Debt Rescue, we are working to better understand how rising spending and holiday spending will affect South Africans in early 2026. That’s why we’re doing the Januworry Survey and your voice matters. Your participation helps highlight the real financial pressures families face and contributes to greater consumer awareness.
Take the Januworry Survey HERE and be in with a chance YOU R1 000 with money.
• It just takes 2 minutes
• Completely unknown
• The poll is closing 11 January 2026
• Winner announced 12 January 2026
