January is terrible. Big Christmas expenditures. I ran up my credit cards. Plus, my twins have a January birthday, so we have to pay for the party - another expense. Money is definitely tight right now! And my paychecks this month have gone down.

January is the worst, especially this year, with our lower paychecks. Holiday gifts, summer camp deposits, and our life and disability payments come due.

December is my tightest month, due to property taxes and holiday expenditures including bonuses for nanny and gifts.

What a timely post! I was really feeling like it was just me. Jan is just awful! Pay off Dec, pay for summer camp, pay for spring activities, begin to think about deposits for summer vacation.

I'm really glad you posted this and reminded me of why it's so bad. It's a good reminder that this is only temporary. Thanks

Nope this month is business as usual. Its even one of the better months since I moved out of my old condo in December and just got my $1600 security deposit back this week.

Anonymous wrote:No, the summer months are our most difficult with the cost of summer camps and vacation. I get a raise (minimal as it may be) each January, which this year comes out to $38 net each pay period once I pay the higher taxes.

We call that medium pimping.

Yes. With increases in health insurance, the SS tax increase, summer camp deposits and childcare deposits for next fall we are strapped this month.

No, the summer months are our most difficult with the cost of summer camps and vacation. I get a raise (minimal as it may be) each January, which this year comes out to $38 net each pay period once I pay the higher taxes.

Yes. Between Christmas expenses incurred in December and paid in January, and our employers, who start taking FICA out again, it's a pretty low month compared to December.

Yes. I charge all of our Christmas expenses and end of year charitable donations so the January credit card statement is the highest of the year (although it's not usually due until Feb.) Also, we're starting from zero on our SS contributions, so that's also being taken out whereas toward the end of the year we had reached the cap. Guess I also have summer camp deposits to look forward to in the future.

It is for me this year because our renter just moved out at the end of December. The payroll tax increase just compounds that. Other than that, it's a normal month.

yes especially with the 2% tax increase

No because I plan our holiday expenses so they are all paid off before the end of December and I typically even pay for some of our summer camps in November and December to get discounts. January is pretty easy for us - only one of the camps we use gives a discount for paying in January.

No. But only because it's an extra pay period and my family gave us a monetary gift.

Between paying off the Christmas charges, summer camp deposits, and possible (although not likely) spring break plans January is always our worst money month. And of course tax season is upon us as well!