Stay Merry, Not Stressed: 5 Financial Moves to Make Before the Holidays

5 Financial moves to make before the holidays

The holidays have a way of sneaking up on us. From crisp fall mornings to peppermint mochas, shipping deadlines, and being knee-deep in wrapping paper. And just like that... the season of joy can become a season of overspending and financial stress.

Many business owners find themselves juggling the two worlds of personal expenses that come with the season, and year-end business responsibilities that demand our attention. The good news is that a little planning now can help you enter the holiday season with more control over your finances.

Here are 5 easy financial move to make before the holidays are in full swing.

1. Take stock of where you stand

   Before you start making lists and checking them twice, get clear on your current financial position.

   
   

   As a business owner: review your cash flow, outstanding invoices, and upcoming expenses. Are there any client payments lagging behind? Any subscriptions or contracts that can be renegotiated before year-end?

   
   

   On the personal side: review your checking, savings, and credit card balances and see where is money is going. Awareness is a powerful is the first step toward control. It helps you make decisions based on data, not emotion.

   
   

   Even a quick 30-minute review can uncover areas of opportunity or reveal small

   leaks that, if left unchecked, could snowball over the next few months.

   
   

2. Create a realistic holiday budge and stick to it

   The holidays can turn even the most disciplined spender into an optimist. Instead of figuring it out as you go, invest some time into building a budget you can stick to.

   
   

   On the personal side: decide how much you're comfortable allocating for gifts, travel, gatherings. Break it into categories (e.g. gifts, food & entertainment, travel/events, cards, decor & extras). Once you have your categories, think about where you can simplify. 

   
   

   As a business owner: consider how year-end expense may affect your cash position. Will you be issuing bonuses, hosting events, or investing in new tools for the new year? Map it out to avoid surprises later.

   
   

   A holiday budget isn't about restricting your joy. It helps you enjoy spending without the guilt (or financial damage) later.

   
   

3. Automate and simplify

   While we all want to enjoy the holidays with family and friends, holiday brain is real. Between the work deadlines, social evens, and travel plans, manual money management can quickly fall through the cracks. The last thing you need is a late payment or forgotten bill.

   
   

   Set up automatic payments for recurring expenses like rent/mortgage, cell phone, or utilities. You can even automate transfers to savings so that money moves out of your checking account before you have a chance to spend it. If you pay contractors or employees, schedule payroll in advance.

   
   

   Automating helps prevent late fees and frees up mental space for more meaningful tasks (like enjoying your time off).

   
   

4. Eliminate quiet leaks

   Small, unnoticed expenses can add up quickly, especially when you're juggling seasonal spending.

   
   

   Review your recurring charges:

   🤔Are you still using all those software subscriptions or streaming services?

   🤔Could you pause or downgrade any memberships that isn't actively helping

   you meet your goals?

   🤔Have you checked your insurance or phone plan lately for savings?

   🤔Do you have any overlapping tools?

   
   

   Even trimming $100 to $200 per month can free up capital to invest in something more meaningful, whether that's holiday giving, savings, or business growth.

   
   

5. Look ahead to January

   While everyone is winding down, smart business owners use this window to look ahead.

   
   

   Ask yourself:

   ❓What financial goals do I want to achieve in Q1?

   ❓Do I have the visibility I need into cash flow, profitability, and taxes?

   ❓Is my bookkeeping caught up so I can close the year confidently?

   
   

   Set one simple goal for the new year (e.g. building an emergency fund, setting up a business budget, or paying off a credit card) and start laying the groundwork now.

Financial wellness is about awareness and small, intentional steps. It's about being proactive, not perfect. The holidays will always come with a little chaos, but when your money is organized, you can enjoy the season without the "how am I going to pay for this later?" feeling.

Give yourself the gift of peace of mind. Take a deep breath, pour a cup of something warm, and give your finances a little love now. Future you and your January bank account will be grateful.

And if you'd like support getting your financials year-end ready, Kewell Consulting is here to help. Whether it's bookkeeping cleanup, forecasting, or strategic planning, we can help you see the full picture so you can have a stress-free holiday (and every other day of the year).

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