Americans are notorious for overspending when the holiday season rolls around, and while that may be good for the economy in the short-term, it often ends up being bad for household budgets. Ultimately, though, overindulging a bit on spending during the holidays doesn’t need to create hardships as long as you know your broader financial situation is in good shape. In fact, the last two months of the year are a perfect time to create and go over a Year-End Financial Planning Checklist—ideally in partnership with your financial advisor.
The end of the year is the best time for this process because there are certain key financial deadlines that fall on December 31. Beat them, and you’ll improve your odds of enjoying your holidays knowing you’re on track to meet your long-term financial goals—even if you decide to overspend a bit on gifts for the kids or grandkids in the short-term. You can consider this year-end financial checkup a gift you give yourself!
