What you should do with your money before 2015 ends

Do you have money on your mind? If so, you’re not alone. A recent GOBankingRates survey found that one in four Americans think about money more than anything else.

To make the most of your money this year in order to get ahead financially in 2016, now is the time to get serious. Take these 10 steps before year’s end to rein in spending, save more and lower your tax bill.

Create a Budget for the Holidays

To avoid going overboard with holiday spending, create a budget now, said Nick Bradfield, founder of subscription-based financial advising firm Divvy Investments. “If we start to budget early, then we may be able to find some ways to either cut back on things or save up a bit for the holidays so that the credit cards don’t swell,” he said.

Think of budgeting as making better choices rather than cutting out things, Bradfield said. Review your bank statement from the past month to see where your money went. Then pinpoint expenses that can be scaled back. Create a plan for the next month so you’ll be on track to have enough cash to cover holiday expenses.

continue reading »

More News