This year will soon be coming to a close, and it’s time for you to sit back and enjoy quality time with friends and family. You deserve to spend this time reflecting on what you’re most thankful for without stressing about money. With some advanced planning, your money can take a back seat while you savor the Thanksgiving season. Consider these tips to keep your finances in check:
Revisit your budget: You may spend more than planned in the next two months. For example, feeding the entire family for Thanksgiving (and several days after) adds up. Or, unplanned outings could take a bite out of your budgeted spending money. It’s important to make a few adjustments to your budget for the holiday season, such as limiting your meals out, so you can splurge comfortably knowing you will have enough to cover the essentials. The planning is easier with our ready-to-use Holiday Budget Worksheet.
Spend wisely: With your budget on track, it’s time to talk about spending your hard-earned money wisely. It’s easy to be blinded by a Black Friday super sale or the must-have holiday gift, so make sure you do a little research before you hit the mall. Also, think about ways to optimize your holiday activities to be more budget friendly. Grab containers to store all your Thanksgiving leftovers, so no food goes to waste. Instead of a family trip to the movie theater, host a movie night in. That way, you can skip the cost of tickets, soda and popcorn and can snack on your leftovers instead.
Set yourself up for success: You can make your savings work harder too. Switch to a Money Market Plus Account, and you could earn a higher rate of return. With your money working as hard as you do, you can focus your attention on the best part of the season: good food and good times with the people you love.
Prepare for emergencies: In anticipation of the unpredictable winter months ahead, now is a good time to think about home and auto coverage. Our members qualify for discounted rates, and you can unlock even more discounts if you combine your home and auto insurance. Schedule a meeting with a Summit Financial Advisor to talk through all your options.
You’ve worked hard enough. It’s time to sit back, relax and enjoy. After all, it’s the season of giving thanks, not breaking the bank.
