Every December, money and sentimentality collide, leading to overspending during the season. It’s a vicious cycle, and one that’s hard to avoid. We are often tempted to spend too much during the period, but one of the best thing you can give yourself is financial health. Here are four strategies to help you make it through the holidays and into the new year with your finances in good shape.

1. Focus on how you want to feel after the holidays: Remember that the excitement of the season may have worn off by January, but the bills will still be there. Make a commitment to yourself that you will prioritize your long-term financial security over ehemeral emotions.
2. Set an holiday spending limit: Create a budget and use it to determine how much money you can afford to spend. Holiday budgeting is a way to set limits on your purchases and still enjoy the season
3. Start shopping early: You may not shop at the best price if you wait until the last minute to buy gifts, so start shopping early.
4. Start a monthly saving plan for the next holiday: The holidays seem to sneak up on us every year. They do, however, occur at the same time every year, making them the easiest item to plan for. We constantly wish we had done it the previous year, so why don’t you start this year? To calculate your monthly budget, divide your annual holiday budget by 12. Then, in a different account, set up an automated recurring transfer.