Have a realistic plan

It’s essential to put together a realistic budget and stick to it. ‘A budget may also include ways  to cut down spending, for example using vouchers, looking out for specials on items needed over the festive season, and group discounts on activities or entertainment,’ advises Lettie Mzwinila, business development manager at Allan Gray.

Make Christmas about family time rather than spending

You can get carried away with spending money on food, drinks and other treats. But splurging doesn’t always equate to a good time. ‘There are so many options that don’t break the bank and will allow you to do so much more. Fill this holiday with more memories and special times with family and friends rather than blowing the budget for one fancy event,' says Nola Rae, author of Money Wit.

Get rid of as much debt as possible

For many, it may not be realistic to say that you should ‘pay off all your debt’. But clearing some of it will put the financial pressure off, come January. ‘Perhaps the thirteenth cheque can be used to pay school fees in full for the next year. Some schools give discounts if you pay upfront. It will make the cash flow easier each month next year, and cheaper overall,' points out Rita Cool, a certified financial planner at Alexander Forbes.

Compare prices

If you do want to pay for some presents and contribute towards entertainment, the best way to save money is to compare prices. Ideally, shop online – and at home – where the pressure to make an instant purchase is not as high.

Give yourself a treat!

It’s the festive season after all and few challenges are possible without some kind of a reward. ‘If you’re trying to save and be as responsible as possible with your spending, do allow yourself a little indulgence and you will feel less like you are punishing yourself when you’re trying to save your money,’ says Mzwinila.

Here are five facts the book has taught us about one of the most inspiring women of our time.

After a five-year-old Michelle Robinson got one answer wrong in a kindergarten colour quiz, she obsessed about it, unable to sleep while lying in bed surrounded by stuffed animals: ‘The embarrassment felt like a weight,’ she remembers, ‘like something I’d never shake off’. The next morning, she immediately asked her teacher for a do-over, and aced it in one go. ‘I like to imagine Mrs Burroughs was impressed with this little black girl who’d found the courage to advocate for herself,’ she says.

While preparing to graduate high school in the top 10% of her class, a young Michelle was told by her guidance counsellor that they weren’t sure she was ‘Princeton material’ (the prestigious school was her first choice for college). Most teenagers would have been crushed, but Michelle once again proved her determination, and instead sought a recommendation letter from her assistant principal. 
‘I wasn’t going to let one person’s opinion dislodge everything I knew about myself,’ she recalls. Instead, she wrote one killer admission essay, and was accepted. She never did tell the counsellor they’d got it wrong.

After deciding to go back to work after the birth of her daughter Sasha, Michelle attended a job interview for an executive director role at a local hospital and, unable to find last-minute childcare, arrived with the three-month-old in tow. As she remembers, ‘She was a fact of my life. Here is me, I was saying, and here also is my baby.' She would go on to get the job but to her, that wasn’t the point. As she recalls: ‘No matter how it panned out, I knew I’d at least done something good for myself in speaking up about my needs.'

After persuading the National Park Service, who was in charge of the gardens, Michelle tore up one of the most iconic lawns in the world and planted a vast selection of fruit and vegetables – a symbolic launchpad for her fight against childhood obesity, and advocacy for a healthier America. ‘Barack’s administration was focused on providing better healthcare, and for me the garden was a way to offer a parallel message about healthy living,’ she says. ‘The garden was simple, prosperous and healthy – a symbol of diligence and faith. It was beautiful while also being powerful.’

On 26 June 2015, the Supreme Court in the US issued the decision that same-sex couples had the right to marry in all fifty states. Looking out of her window at the White House that evening, Michelle Obama noticed a big crowd had gathered outside to see the famous residence illuminated in the colours of the pride flag. ‘I found myself suddenly desperate to join the celebration,’ she remembers, and after grabbing her eldest daughter, Malia, she made a break for it, ignoring the protocol to check in with Secret Service agents and speedily running outside to the lawn. In their own private corner, mother and daughter gazed up at the world’s most famous address – and their home – lit up in pride colours, just as everyone else was seeing it.

Becoming by Michelle Obama (Penguin Random House) is now available to buy in hardcover at a RSP of R399.

Summer is the season to spend time in the sun and be merry, and what better way to do that than by hosting a pool party. Sometimes an impromptu get-together can turn into a memorable party, but planning something magical that your guests will remember takes a lot of thought and preparation. But fear not, we have great tips and ideas to get you there. 

Signature suede loafers 799; JX wallets 199.95 each; Stone Harbour sunglasses 149.99; Signature leather-strap watch 399

From classic to cool, you can find the perfect pair of sunglasses to suit your look – from aviators to wayfarers and everything in between. Tortoiseshell patterns are all the rage right now, so if your accessories cupboard is full of black-framed shades, go for this trendy pattern next time round.

Time is of the essence. Whether you want something with bling or you're more of a lover of classics, a watch is an investment piece that's a great gift for you or a loved one. Remember to match your watch to the style of your outfit for a cohesive look; a more classic watch will go well with a smart blazer or a formal suit.

Loafers are versatile enough to wear with jeans, shorts and suits, so if there’s one shoe to invest in this season, this is it. Swap out your everyday sneakers for a pair of loafers and watch your look go from casual and laid-back to polished and dapper.

Have a realistic plan

It’s essential to put together a realistic budget and stick to it. ‘A budget may also include ways  to cut down spending, e.g. using vouchers, looking out for specials on items needed over the festive season, and group discounts on activities or entertainment,’ advises Lettie Mzwinila, business development manager at Allan Gray.

Make Christmas about family time rather than spending

You can get carried away with spending money on food, drinks and other treats. But material goods don’t always equate to a good time. ‘There are so many options that don’t break the bank and will allow you to do so much more. Fill this holiday with more memories and special times with family and friends rather than splurging for one fancy event,” says Nola Rae, author of Money Wit.

Get rid of as much debt as possible

For many, it may not be realistic to say that you should ‘pay off all your debt’. But clearing some of it will put the financial pressure off, come January. ‘Perhaps the thirteenth cheque can be used to pay school fees in full for the next year. Some schools give discounts if you pay upfront. It will make the cash flow easier each month next year, and cheaper overall,” points out Rita Cool, certified financial planner of Alexander Forbes.

Compare prices

If you do want to pay for some presents and contribute towards entertainment, the best way to save money is to compare prices. Ideally, shop online – and at home – where the pressure to make an instant purchase is not as high.

Give yourself a treat!

It’s the festive season after all and few challenges are possible without some kind of a reward. ‘If you’re trying to save and be as responsible as possible with your spending, do allow yourself a little indulgence and you will feel less like you are punishing yourself when you’re trying to save your money,’ says Mzwinila.