--- title: Six Ways to Prepare Your Finances for the Holidays description: This season can be one of the most expensive and stressful times of year. 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However, with a bit of holiday financial planning, you can spend wisely and focus on what truly matters. Here are six ways to prepare your finances for the holidays. 1. Review Your Financial Situation  Knowing where you stand helps you make informed decisions that set you up for success. Ask yourself: - How am I on track, and where do I need to adjust to meet my goals? - What upcoming expenses will I have in the new year, such as insurance or tuition? - Where can I reduce spending or pay down debt before the season begins? 🎁 Take [BALANCE’s](https://excitecu.bebalanced.org/) two-minute quiz to discover your [financial health score](https://excitecu.bebalanced.org/bewell), and get suggestions for improving your financial well-being. Tap into the many resources that [BALANCE](https://excitecu.bebalanced.org/) offers Excite Members, such as personal coaching, interactive e-learning, and practical webinars. 2. Make a Holiday Budget that Works for You List your expected costs—gifts, travel, food, and decorations—and assign a spending limit to each category. Ask yourself: - How can I balance generosity with financial responsibility this year? - Have I remembered small expenses like wrapping paper and postage? - Am I spending thoughtfully—or out of pressure? 🎁 Need some holiday budgeting tips? The [Banzai!](https://excitecu.banzai.org/wellness) coach session [Create a Holiday Budget](https://excitecu.banzai.org/wellness/resources/create-a-holiday-budget-coach) is a great place to start. Explore all the coaching sessions, calculators, and financial education resources available for Excite Members through [Banzai!](https://excitecu.banzai.org/wellness) **3. Find Ways to Reduce Holiday Spending** Look for areas where you can trim costs without sacrificing the joy of the season. Ask yourself: - Can I decorate for Christmas or Hanukkah on a budget by using what I already have? - Can I host a potluck-style gathering, instead of a formal dinner, to share food costs? - Are there presents or experiences I can give that are meaningful and budget-friendly? 🎁 Give the gift of memories this season by exploring free local events—like tree lightings, craft fairs, and volunteer opportunities—through your city’s event calendar. 4. Prepare to Track Your Holiday Spending Keeping track of expenses as you go prevents surprises and makes it easier to adjust before things get out of hand. Ask yourself: - Am I logging purchases as soon as I make them? - Would using one credit card for all holiday purchases make tracking easier? - Am I reviewing my spending weekly to see where I might cut back? 🎁 Use Excite’s [Online](https://excitecu.org/manage/services/online-banking) and [Mobile](https://excitecu.org/manage/services/mobile-banking) Banking tools to monitor your account balances and transactions in real time.  5. Plan to Use Credit Wisely to Avoid Holiday Debt Managing your balances and making timely payments protects both your credit score and peace of mind. Ask yourself: - How much of my available credit am I using right now? - Can I pay off the charges, and do I have a plan to do so? - What advantages could an [Excite credit card](https://excitecu.org/personal/borrow/credit-cards) offer over store financing this season? 🎁 Check your credit score with [SavvyMoney](https://excitecu.org/benefits-resources/tools-resources/credit-score). As an Excite Member, you can use [SavvyMoney’s](https://excitecu.org/benefits-resources/tools-resources/credit-score) tools to review your credit report, get personalized insights, and build stronger credit. 6. Embrace Gratitude  A grateful mindset helps you value connection rather than consumption. Ask yourself: - How can I show appreciation through thoughtful gestures? - Am I cherishing the people and moments that make this season special? - What can I do to enjoy this season more fully? 🎁 Plan to unplug—put the phone down, step away from social media, and be fully present with those who matter most. Gratitude is the best gift you can give yourself. Celebrate the Season with Financial Peace of Mind With a little intentional holiday financial planning, this time of year becomes less stressful and more joyful. [Excite Credit Union](https://excitecu.org/) is here to help you prepare your finances for the holidays—so you can focus on celebrating the season, not paying for it later.    Topics: [Budgeting](https://blog.excitecu.org/topic/budgeting?hsLang=en), [Talking About Money](https://blog.excitecu.org/topic/talking-about-money?hsLang=en) ### Posts by Topic - [Talking About Money (49)](https://blog.excitecu.org/tag/talking-about-money) - [Savings (26)](https://blog.excitecu.org/tag/savings) - [Budgeting (22)](https://blog.excitecu.org/tag/budgeting) - [Building Credit (12)](https://blog.excitecu.org/tag/building-credit) - [Auto (10)](https://blog.excitecu.org/tag/auto) - [Credit Unions are Different than Banks (6)](https://blog.excitecu.org/tag/credit-unions-are-different-than-banks) - [Security (6)](https://blog.excitecu.org/tag/security) - [Business Services (5)](https://blog.excitecu.org/tag/business-services) - [Parenting (5)](https://blog.excitecu.org/tag/parenting) - [Retirement (5)](https://blog.excitecu.org/tag/retirement) - [Small Business (5)](https://blog.excitecu.org/tag/small-business) - [Credit Cards (4)](https://blog.excitecu.org/tag/credit-cards) - [Emergency (4)](https://blog.excitecu.org/tag/emergency) - [Real Estate (4)](https://blog.excitecu.org/tag/real-estate) - [Taxes (4)](https://blog.excitecu.org/tag/taxes) - [Community Engagement (2)](https://blog.excitecu.org/tag/community-engagement) - [Home Improvement (1)](https://blog.excitecu.org/tag/home-improvement) - [Insurance (1)](https://blog.excitecu.org/tag/insurance) - [Student Loans (1)](https://blog.excitecu.org/tag/student-loans) see all ### About Excite - [About Us](https://excitecu.org/in-the-community/about-us/locations) - [Careers](https://excitecu.org/in-the-community/about-us/careers) - [Community](https://excitecu.org/in-the-community/community/excitecares) - [Legal](https://www.excitecu.org/Legal) - [**Phone: 800.232.8669**](tel:8002328669) - **Routing: 321176804** - **NMLS #477592** ### Resources - [Forms](https://www.excitecu.org/Learn/About-Us/Forms) - [Order Checks](https://www.deluxe.com/products-services/financial-checks-retail-linking.jsp) - [Opt Out](https://newapps.excitecu.org/MemberOptOuts/OptOutHome) - [Sitemap](https://www.excitecu.org/Sitemap) - [Privacy](https://excitecu.org/in-the-community/about-us/privacy) - [Make a Payment](https://www.excitecu.org/Payment-Options) - [Homeowner Hardship Assistance](https://www.excitecu.org/Personal/Borrow/Home-Loans/Home-Loan-Hardship-Assistance) ### Follow Us | [![Download on the App Store](https://www.excitecu.org/Content/Images/mobile-app-apple.png)](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/excite-mobile-banking/id441879558) | [![Get it on Google Play](https://www.excitecu.org/Content/Images/mobile-app-google.png)](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.ifs.banking.fiid5230) | | --- | --- | Equal Housing Opportunity Federally Insured by NCUA © 2021 **Excite Credit Union**. 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