Detty December is all vibes until you open your banking app and suddenly remember you have a life in January.
Between flight surges, “come out na” pressure, last-minute plans, and the way Lagos can swallow money without warning, December has a special talent for draining accounts you thought were safe. But it doesn’t have to become a financial horror story. With a little strategy and the right hacks, you can still enjoy the Lagos nightlife, the concerts, the food, the trips, and the chaos without entering the new year in economic recovery mode.
Think of this as your guide to travelling smart, stretching your money, and enjoying outside without letting December humble you.
1. Book Flights Like a Strategist
December flights to Lagos and Abuja are in a class of their own. Even if you try to be responsible and book as early as October, airlines will still triple the price because they already know Detty December is coming.
So what do you do?
Start with fare alerts on Skyscanner and Google Flights. Sometimes the cheapest tickets appear a day or two before your trip, or on odd-hour flights, such as very early mornings or late nights. It is not glamorous, but it saves money.
If you travel often, clear your cookies or search in incognito mode so airlines cannot track your habits and quietly spike fares. And if your dates are flexible, aim for the first ten days of December or the 26th to 30th. Those windows typically drop slightly compared to the mid-month chaos.
2. Use a Nigerian Number
This one is underrated but very real. If you travel to Nigeria for Detty December with an international number, many vendors will instantly assume you have IJGB money and adjust their prices accordingly. Drivers. Short-let hosts. Market sellers. Even some service providers. Everyone.
Get an MTN, Airtel, or Glo SIM at the airport or any authorised centre. It usually costs between 500 and 1,500 naira, plus a quick NIN verification, and that small switch can save you far more than you expect throughout the holiday.
It is a tiny hack with big savings.
3. Travel with a crew and split everything (strategically)
December is not the month to be forming solo baller unless you have intentionally budgeted for that life. Travelling with friends means you can split accommodation, transport, groceries, and sometimes even outfits. But here is the real hack:
Travel only with people who have the same spending personality as you.
If you are a budget girl and your friend is a VIP-table babe, you will fight.
If you are a “home by 2 am” person and she is a “one more place” babe, you will fight.
If you like planning and she prefers to live by vibes, you will fight.
Choose your December crew with sense, not emotion.
4. Get Groceries
Yes, we are all outside in December, but not every second of the day. For the early morning cravings when you wake up, the munchies that hit when you crawl in at 3 a.m., or the random hunger you cannot explain, having groceries in your apartment or hotel will save you a surprising amount of money.
Room service and constant food delivery add up quietly. A simple stash of bread, your favourite snacks and drinks, and fruits can protect your account from unnecessary damage.
Soft life is also knowing when to eat cereal in peace.
5. Know the ride-hailing cheat codes
Bolt and Uber can triple their prices at night during Detty December, and sometimes the apps will still leave you stranded. The smartest move is to have all the ride-hailing options on your phone — Rida, Indrive, everything. Switching between apps lets you compare fares and pick the cheapest one in real time.
Another hack: arrive or leave events just before or after the peak exit rush. Surges are highest when everyone is requesting rides at once. And if the venue is crowded, walk one or two minutes outside the hot zone before requesting your ride. You will be shocked at how quickly the price drops.
If you are with friends, share a ride and add multiple stops so you all split the cost.
Surges are unavoidable. Overpaying is not.
6. Don’t do a “vibes only” budget for December chaos
The biggest money traps in December are the random expenses. Last-minute outfits. Last-minute transport. Last-minute food. And the classic December line: “Let’s go somewhere else, this event isn’t giving.”
You are allowed to indulge and, of course, leave a dead event. But set aside an emergency fund, about five to fifteen percent of your December budget. That small buffer will cover the unexpected costs without forcing you to dip into your savings. And once you cross that limit, you will know it is time to slow down.
7. Choose events intentionally, not emotionally
You do not need to attend everything. Yes, you want your December to be hot, unhinged, and unforgettable, and you absolutely deserve that. But you also deserve to enjoy yourself and get value for the money you spend.
So even if your friend says, “Let’s go to this event,” and you know you don’t fuck with it, you don’t have to go. Choose events based on vibe match, distance, traffic, ticket plus transport cost, who you are going with, and how safe the venue is.
Sometimes two or three solid events are better than twelve random outings where you spend money and feel nothing.
December is expensive enough. Prioritise joy, not FOMO.
8. Don’t be shy, ask for discounts
Vendors expect December desperation. Shock them.
Ask your Airbnb host for a long-stay discount. If you are booking a hotel for multiple nights, ask for a reduced rate. Negotiate with drivers for intercity trips, or if you are out a lot, find a reliable Bolt driver and agree on fixed pricing. Pick restaurants with unlimited cocktails or happy hours. And if you are coming from outside the country, please claim your VAT refunds. It is free money.
Closed mouths do not get cheaper prices.
The worst anyone will say is no, and even if they roll their eyes, it is your money. Their perception of you does not cost you anything.
Final Thoughts
Remember, Detty December does not have to be financially traumatic. With the right hacks, you can still enjoy the food, the concerts, the beaches, the trips, and the beautiful chaos without spending January in economic recovery mode.
Enjoy your Detty December. Protect your pockets.
And may your holidays be soft, fun, and stress-free.
Happy Holidays!
