Change is in the air. The summer is coming to a close, children are back in school, and the weather is turning cooler as we are enter the last quarter of the year. The next three months seem to go by faster than any other quarter. This probably occurs because we prepare for one holiday after another. We celebrate a wide variety of holidays from Halloween to Thanksgiving to Christmas, or whatever you celebrate, and lastly New Year’s. Why does it seem that these holidays are all bunched up together? Why can’t they be spread out over more months? Why is it that between Thanksgiving and New Year’s the average amount of weight gained for adults is 7 pounds? Yes, 7 pounds. Think of all the food you eat and think of the amount of alcohol you consumed for each holiday. Why do we do this to ourselves year after year? When will we learn how to control our splurges? There is no better time than the present.

As we head towards the end of the year, what did you think I meant the end of the world? As we head towards the end of the year, try reign in your credit card debt. Set a budget for what you can afford for this holiday season and stick to it. Put yourself into a better financial position by sticking with your holiday season budget. Maybe you should pay by cash only. Whatever you think might work, do it. There is no better time than starting now.