Anxious About January Bills? How Prep Can Calm the Storm

Speaker A00:00:28

Let me ask you this. Does January feel like the toughest month of the year for you?Those insurance renewals hit the heating bill jumps, school fees show up, and all of it seems to land all at once, right when you're already worn out from Christmas and you start wondering to yourself, why does this always feel so overwhelming? Well, you're not imagining it, and you're definitely not failing. This is a real pattern that catches a lot of good people off guard.But here's the encouraging point. If you prepare a little bit in December, you can walk into January with a whole lot more peace.And today, I want to show you how to do exactly that in a simple and practical way. Hey, friend. Welcome back. My name is Ralph, and if you're joining me for the first time, I'm really glad you're here.This is Financially Confident Christian, where we combine faith, wisdom, and practical steps to help you build real peace around your finances. And today, we're walking through something almost everybody feels, but very few people are actually prepared for.And that's that financial hit that January brings. But here's the thing. You don't have to let January push you around this year.You can get ahead of it, and you can do it in a way that doesn't overwhelm you. Let me show you how. I got a message recently, said this, Ralph, Every new year hits me like a financial punch. Insurance, heating, school fees.Everything happens all at once. Ralph. How do I get ahead of this before it gets ahead of me? Well, if that sounds familiar, you're in good company. Trust me, I've been there, too.And I want you to know there really is a way through this. Let's talk about why this keeps happening. Because before we can fix anything, we have to understand what's actually going on here.Every year, right after the holidays, banks see a spike in overdrafts. And it's not because people suddenly make less money. It's because the timing of expenses, shifts.For so many of us, January brings a cluster of bills that feel new, even though they happen every single year. The problem isn't the bill itself, but the problem is a surprise. And this is a principle I've seen over and over.When you plan for something, you protect your peace. Let me share why this matters so much to me. Before we get to the steps, I want you to understand where this advice comes from.I've been working with families and business owners and people just like you for over 30 years. And I've walked many people through this exact same problem. And the pattern that I've seen is always the same. A simple plan beats scrambling.And if you can prepare in December, it makes January much less overwhelming. And let me tell you right now, peace grows the moment you find something on paper. You don't need a complicated system. You don't need a perfect plan.You just need a plan that fits your life. So let me give you a real example. Sometimes a story makes the whole thing click. There was someone I helped a while back who dreaded January.Every single year, every time, it was the same thing. The heating bill went up, my insurance came due, property taxes landed, and she always felt like she had been blindsided. What do we do?We sat down together and we listed every recurring expense. We put pen to paper. We planned ahead for the big ones, and we spread things out in a way that made sense for her.Well, guess what happened the next January. She said to me, ralph, I've never felt this calm. Not because money magically appeared.She didn't get a big raise because she wasn't surprised anymore. That's the power of preparation. So let's answer the real question today, and that's this. How do you get ahead of January?Instead of letting January get a hold of you, here are my four steps to a peaceful new year. Step number one, you've got to list those expenses that always sneak up. See, they're not really sneaking up. You just forgot about them.Best way to do that is pull up last year's January statements and highlight anything that repeats. You're looking for those insurance renewals. Maybe you live in a place where it gets colder this time of year. It's getting colder in Delaware.Maybe your heating costs are going to go up. Hey, maybe in January it's a time to collect all those school fees. Those are things you got to be watching out for.Maybe you've got some memberships to renew every January. And for some people, it's those property taxes.And when you sit and see it written down, your anxiety drops because you know exactly what's coming and. And it helps you get ahead of it. So that's the first thing. Second thing, and this one is some sage advice. Pre fund the big three expenses.I want you to go pick the three biggest January expenses and then start putting something towards them. Maybe it's 20 bucks or 50 bucks. Hey, just a small weekly amount can make a huge difference. It doesn't have to be perfect.You just need to reduce the hit some, because a little bit of prep creates a lot of relief. Here's my third step shift A couple of December wants into February. Now, this might sound like you're putting things off.This isn't about cutting everything. It's about adjusting the timing. Because most of the time, timing's the issue.You just move one or two lower priority December purchases into February, you're not losing anything. You're simply choosing peace. And hey, you can choose peace. A small December shift creates a much calmer January.And finally let the plan set the tone for the year. Once you've done these things, you'll have something powerful. You'll have clarity, you'll have confidence.Hey, you'll have momentum and a calmer start to the new year. And hey, that can dictate all year long because small intentional steps now create a completely different mindset later.And here's why this matters spiritually. See, this isn't just practical, it's biblical. Look at Proverbs 21:5. It tells us this. The plans of the diligent lead to profit. Planning isn't fear.Planning is stewardship. That's what we're called to do. And planning is wisdom and allows you to walk in a new year with a clearer mind and a more peaceful heart.Well, how about we pray together, Lord, as we come together right now, Help me to prepare wisely. Give me clarity as I look at my expenses, Lord, and give me peace as I take these steps. And help me enter the new year steady and confident in you.And I ask this in the name of Jesus, Amen. Okay, so here's your one action step for today. Very simple. I want you to list the expenses that you know are coming. You can see them on the horizon.Go list those. Then go back and circle the biggest three. And then decide what you can pre fund this very week and make one small December adjustment.Even one step can reduce your stress immediately. And hey, then you go into the new year not feeling overwhelmed.And if you want more support, if you want more encouragement and a community of people taking these same steps, I want to encourage you right now, come and join our community. You get to that by going to financiallyconfidentchristian.com/join again.That's financiallyconfidentchristian.com/join because we'd love to walk with you, friend. You don't have to fear. This January, you can prepare, you can get ahead of it, and you can walk into the new year with confidence and calm.Remember, this prep brings peace. And you can absolutely do this. I have confidence in you. So stay financially savvy. God bless you. And I'll see you again on tomorrow's show.