When making a budget for holiday spending, don’t forget to think ahead and plan for 2017. Why? Because if you’re planning on a big purchase, like a car or home, or making a life change, such as moving to a new city or going back to school, they will impact what you can afford to spend in December.
When putting together your budget, you need to look back at your finances, like how much you spent and where your money went, but to get a bigger picture of your financial situation, you need to look forward. So, ask yourself important questions, like after spending hundreds of dollars on holiday gifts, entertainment and travel, how much money will you have left to accomplish your goals next year?
Make a plan for a debt-free holiday. Take into account your known expenses, and don’t forget to plan ahead for 2017.
