Three in ten Romanians feel Blue Monday is among the year's toughest days, study finds
<p>According to a study conducted by Raiffeisen Bank Romania in collaboration with Appinio, a global market research company, 3 in 10 Romanians feel Blue Monday as one of the most challenging days of the year. The main causes of emotional discomfort are cold weather, excessive holiday spending, and accumulated fatigue.</p>

<p>Five out of ten Romanians have heard of Blue Monday, the third Monday in January, which specialists call the most depressing day of the year. The phenomenon is particularly well-known among individuals with higher education and Bucharest residents, who are more aware of the impact this period has on their emotional and financial well-being, according to the same study.</p>

<p>The study's findings reveal that Blue Monday is a rather common reality for many Romanians, significantly affecting them, especially financially. The combination of higher utility bills, increased holiday spending, and cold weather creates additional pressure on overall well-being.</p>

<p>Many perceive January as a time of financial constraints. According to the study, 50% of respondents reduce their spending or create a strict budget (29%), while 60% report having a smaller monthly budget during this period.</p>

<p>Additionally, 37% of respondents believe their financial situation affects their emotional state. During this time, over half of Romanians (53%) become more cautious with their spending, while 22% are more prone to impulsive decisions. Financial stress is also felt more acutely in families with children.</p>

<p>Smaller budgets and higher expenses push many Romanians to resort to emergency solutions. Over 40% rely on savings or loans to cover post-holiday expenses, while only 4 in 10 use financial apps to manage their budgets. These findings, Raiffeisen Bank Romania says, highlight the importance of better financial planning.</p>

<p>The study results indicate more responsible behavior among young people aged 18 to 24. They try to save more in January, and the 18-35 age group is more open to using apps and financial tools for budget management compared to other age groups.</p>

<p>The Raiffeisen Bank Romania study, conducted in collaboration with Appinio, is nationally representative and CAWI-based, carried out on a sample of 700 respondents.</p>

<p><i>irina.marica@romania-insider.com</i></p>

<p><i>(Photo source:&nbsp;</i><meta charset="UTF-8" /><em><a href="https://www.dreamstime.com/adodonov_info">Andrei Dodonov</a>/<a href="https://www.dreamstime.com/">Dreamstime.com</a>)</em></p>