Ramadan and Eid: enjoy the season without straining your budget

Ramadan and Eid bring higher spending on food, gatherings, gifts, clothes and charity. Planning ahead keeps the season joyful — and the month after it calm.

Plan before the season

1. 1Look at what you spent last Ramadan and Eid.
2. 2Set a total budget for the season.
3. 3Divide it by 12 and save that amount monthly through the year.

During Ramadan

• Plan meals for the week and shop with a list — impulse buying peaks before iftar.
• Watch food waste: cook what will be eaten.
• Compare offers rather than buying in bulk by default.

For Eid

• Set a budget for clothes, gifts and Eidiya before you shop.
• Buy some items early, before prices rise.

Charity and zakat

Set aside your zakat and charity first, as a fixed line in your plan, so it doesn't compete with other spending.

After the season

Compare actual spending with the plan and note what to change next year.