As the calendar flips through September, the days are getting shorter, and a certain buzz is starting to build. December is just around the corner, and if you’re like most people, you’re already feeling the familiar mix of excitement and anxiety that comes with the most expensive month of the year. Welcome to the pre-Detty December reality check, where your social media feed will soon be flooded with beach trips, designer outfits, exclusive parties, and experiences that make your wallet tremble.

The term “Detty December” is a cultural phenomenon that has come to represent a period of lavish spending and maximum enjoyment. It’s a time for concerts, weddings, “owambes” (big parties), travel, and general merriment. While it’s a much-needed pleasure after a year of hard work, the financial aftermath can be brutal. Many people start the new year in a state of “Sapa” (a local slang for being broke), facing mounting debt and a long, difficult January.

Here is the big question: Are you financially ready for December?

With only three months left, now is the perfect time to pause and reflect. But here’s the thing: being financially ready for December isn’t just about having enough money to party. It’s about aligning your lifestyle choices with sound financial planning. While Detty December offers joy and connection, it can also leave behind a trail of debt and regret if not approached wisely.

The Psychology of December Spending

December spending isn’t just about money; it’s deeply psychological. The fear of missing out (FOMO) reaches its peak during this period. Social media becomes a highlight reel of everyone else’s seemingly perfect celebrations, creating pressure to match or exceed what others are doing.

This psychological pressure fuels what financial experts call lifestyle inflation, a temporary but often costly upgrade in living standards that exceeds one’s means, typically financed through personal loans or by dipping into savings earmarked for emergencies, education, or long-term goals.

The key insight? Your December should reflect your year-round financial health, not funded by future earnings or debt. 

The Lifestyle-Finance Connection

Your lifestyle doesn’t exist in a vacuum. Every decision to dine at fine restaurants, wear designer labels, host big parties, or jet off for holidays is tied directly to your financial health. When these decisions are made impulsively or without planning, they can derail savings goals, increase debt, and cause stress.

Consider this scenario:

Chinedu earns ₦600,000 monthly but spends ₦750,000 every December due to unplanned expenses: gifts, parties, wardrobe upgrades, and last-minute trips. By January, he’s borrowing to cover rent and utilities. 

This isn’t uncommon. Many Nigerians fall into what experts call “seasonal financial whiplash,” overspending during peak seasons and struggling to recover afterward.

The solution? Intentional financial planning that respects both your lifestyle desires and economic reality.

Beyond December: Building Sustainable Financial Habits

December shouldn’t be a financial shock to the system every year. Instead, let it become a catalyst for better money management.

Think long-term:

Can you start investing ₦10,000/month year-round for next December?

Could you build a 3–6 month emergency fund to prevent dipping into future paychecks?

When your lifestyle reflects intentional choices rather than impulsive reactions, you gain freedom. Freedom to celebrate fully and wake up in January with peace of mind.

Final Thoughts: Celebrate Wisely, Live Fully

Detty December is beautiful. It’s culture, connection, and celebration wrapped in one dazzling package. But true joy comes not from how much you spend, but from how well you prepare.

You don’t have to choose between enjoying life and being responsible with money. With just three months of financial planning, you can have both.

So ask yourself today:

“Am I funding my lifestyle with clarity and control, or setting myself up for post-holiday regret?” 

The clock is ticking. Your future self will thank you for starting now.

Bravewood provides Nigerian professionals with low-risk, high-return investment products, licensed by the Central Bank of Nigeria