The holiday season can be an expensive time, but that doesn't have to derail your finances heading into the new year.
Financial expert Darcel Lobo shares her top tips to keep your finances in order during the holidays and beyond!
For making sure the holidays don't break the bank:
--Determine a budget before you shop and work backwards from that budget
--Make a list of who and what you are shopping for before you go shopping
--Go into a store with an agenda instead of casually browsing
--Track your spending and use cash to pay for items
Starting off the New Year on the right foot:
--Plan for 2019: start saving now for upcoming items later in the year (vacations, larger expenses, etc)
--Create an automatic deduction from each paycheck to contribute towards your savings account
--If you have debt, being proactive to pay it down/off. Make a plan for getting it paid
--For your family and loved ones: create your estate plan (will, trust, power of attorney). Having a proper estate plan is the biggest gift you can give to your loved ones.
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