Author: Abbey

Most of your coworkers are out decking the halls the second half of December, but you’re not taking a vacation. Now what? You could celebrate the solitude with long lunches and Facebook marathons at your desk. Or you could do a few of these things instead. (Your career will thank you.)

1. CLEAN UP YOUR INBOX.

“If you’re like most people, all of those emails that you promise to respond to at some point get de-prioritized during the year,” says Alexandra Douwes, cofounder of millennial strategy firm Purpose Generation. “The holiday lull is a great time to go through everything.” To keep your stamina at its peak, alternate writing emails that require thoughtful responses with mindless tasks, like unsubscribing from newsletters you never open or responding to corporate surveys. Then think about what system you could set up now to prevent (or lessen) the email pile-up in the new year. If you live in Gmail, Douwes is a fan of this online Udemy course for Gmail productivity hacks.

2. INVITE A COWORKER TO LUNCH.

A skeleton crew at the office can be a good excuse to mix up your usual routine and socialize with someone new at the office. “Aim to make a new work friend with one of the other people there,” says Laura Vanderkam, a time management expert and author of I Know How She Does It and What the Most Successful People Do Before Breakfast. “Building tighter work relationships is associated with being more happy over the long run,” she says. And it can come in handy the next time you’re in a work crunch and need more people to pitch in.

3. UPDATE YOUR MENTORS.

Just because you don’t have a formal mentor doesn’t mean you should skip this step. “I don’t have any formal mentors,” Douwes points out. “But there are several people who have a vested interest in my professional pursuits and who have mentored or sponsored me at some point throughout my career.” The relative calm at the office this time of year is a great opportunity to follow through on sending them a quick life update: what you’ve been working on, what you’ve learned, what challenges you’ve faced. The holiday season is such a flurry of cards and family newsletters that an email or handwritten note won’t seem out of the blue.

4. WORK IN AIRPLANE MODE.

With coworkers and industry contacts out of the office, you’re probably getting far fewer emails each day. That can be a huge boon to your focus—so use it to your advantage by staying out of your inbox for large chunks of time, says Vanderkam. “See if you can be off for 90 minutes before checking your inbox,” she says. “You’ll likely make headway on projects you’ve been putting off for months.” And seeing how much more productive you are when you don’t toggle over to your inbox every two seconds might convince you to carry the habit of time-blocking into the New Year.

5. SET CAREER GOALS.

We’re all promising to lose five pounds and exercise more in our personal lives. But what about setting some work resolutions for 2017? “The holiday lull is a great time to reflect on the year ahead,” says Douwes. Think about what skills you want to gain or milestones you want to achieve in the next 12 months, then brainstorm a few concrete steps you’ll take to make them happen. Don’t just make this a mental exercise—jot it down. A study at Dominican University found that people who wrote out goals were significantly more likely to achieve them than participants who merely thought about their goals. Telling a friend increased follow-through even more, as did sharing regular updates with their pal.

If thinking of a career resolution makes you draw a blank, check out these five questions Douwes recommends everyone ask themselves at the beginning of each year.

6. DUST OFF YOUR RESUME.

Even if you’re not desperately seeking a new gig, the December lull can be a good time to freshen up your application materials so you’re ready to pounce if the right position opens up (or work hits a rough patch in the new year). Update and proofread your resume, then revamp your LinkedIn profile. In October, LinkedIn rolled out a new feature, called Open Candidates, that lets you signal to recruiters that you’re open to a new position—without broadcasting that news to your boss. (Just go to the Preferences tab and turn the Open Candidates feature on.) “The slow time over the holidays can also give you a chance to do some informational interviews,” says Vanderkam. Remember, HR teams that are in the office probably have more open calendars, too.

7. TAKE ON A STRETCH OPPORTUNITY.

Last year, Douwes used the December slow period to finally write a white paper that she’d been trying to write for months. “I’d never had enough time to sit down and finish it, because the day-to-day hustle and client requests got in the way,” she says. Your to-do list likely has similar stretch projects or things you’ve thought of doing throughout the year—and now you might have the focus and quiet to tackle them. Even covering for a different coworker than usual can help you stretch, says Vanderkam. “It’s easy to cover for a colleague who does similar work as you do, but cross-training on a different type of job lets you learn new skills and see what you might be interested in trying over the long haul.”

If you’re struggling to get more done in a day, it might be because you’re thinking of productivity as a one-size-fits-all endeavor, says Carson Tate, author of Work Simply. “We each have a productivity style, influenced by how we think and process information,” she says. “If you’re not customizing your strategies to that style, they’re not going to work for you and you’re going to get frustrated.” She breaks down the four styles and corresponding strategies that can turn you into an efficient, to-do-list-killing machine.

1. THE PRIORITIZER

Style Traits: You’re analytical and competitive. Long-winded explanations set your teeth on edge, and when coworkers start swapping stories about what they did over the weekend you start silently watching the clock (so much wasted time!). “Prioritizers are very focused on the outcome or goal—not the soccer game your kid had over the weekend,” says Tate. “They want people to make their point and back it up—they never met a piece of data they didn’t like.”

Productivity Boost: Play to your natural competitive streak by timing yourself as you run through routine tasks, suggests Tate. How quickly can you prep lunches before work? How many minutes does it take to clear out your inbox each morning? Trying to beat your own time will spur you to stay focused, but it can also nudge you to streamline—like prepping a week’s worth of veggies at once or setting up templates for emails you send again and again.

2. THE PLANNER

Style Traits: You’re hyper-organized, detail-driven, and thrive on deadlines. You have every appointment and reminder possible in your calendar, and you relish making action plans. Your biggest pet peeve is when people are running perpetually late. “These are the people who turn their work in early and will add an item to their to-do list even if it’s already done, just for the satisfaction of crossing it off,” says Tate.

Productivity Boost: Batching should be your new best friend, says Tate. That means scheduling time to knock out all of your phone calls at once or cranking through spreadsheet set-up, assembly-style. “Grouping similar tasks together lets you get into a flow state and not waste any time switching between tasks,” she explains.

Another trick that works particularly well for planners is creating a to-do list of things that can be done in 15 minutes or less. “There are so many microsegements in the day, where you finish one meeting and have another starting in 15 minutes,” says Tate. “Instead of defaulting to email, a 15-minute list lets you actually execute.”

3. THE ARRANGER

Style Traits: A natural born facilitator, you’re highly intuitive and communicative. You do your best work with people and on teams, and you tend to understand instinctually what needs to get done to wrap up a project. “They’re the people who will color-code their calendars, because color is important, or have certain types of pens for certain tasks,” says Tate.

Productivity Boost: Spending the entire day holed up in an office will actually backfire for Arrangers. “They need to intersperse solo work with group work,” says Tate, or their energy and focus will start to flag. Schedule a coffee break with coworkers, or break up a big work project with quick trips to the water cooler. Those minutes aren’t wasted—they’re recharging your efficiency and focus. Sunshine can also have a surprisingly big impact on productivity with this group, says Tate. Even standing near a window for a few minutes will perk you up to get more done.

4. THE VISUALIZER

Style Traits: Post-its and white boards are your go-tool tools, and even though your cubicle may seem like it’s in disarray you can locate anything in less than a minute. “Visualizers are big-picture thinkers and risk takers,” says Tate. “They’re great at juggling a large variety of work, and they work very quickly.” They’re also the ones who are most likely to squeak in just seconds before the deadline, and to chafe at lengthy processes. “Too much structure drives them crazy, because they want time and space to think and brainstorm.”

Productivity Boost: Stop thinking you can knock out a project in one long marathon work session. “Visualizers crave novelty, so to keep your energy and momentum high you need to break up the boring work with more interesting work,” says Tate. While ping-ponging between tasks might slow other styles down, it can actually fuel this group—so think of yourself as a sprinter, working on one thing for 20 minutes before moving on to something completely different.

Between the 2008 financial crisis and the recent Wells Fargo fiasco, consumers have grown distrustful of banks and are considering credit unions as an alternative place to park their cash. Just like banks, credit unions accept deposits and make loans—so how, exactly, are they different?

For one, they have a democratic history. The first credit unions were established as cooperatives, meaning the people who kept their cash in the credit union also helped manage it—and they still operate this way today. As such, you are treated as a member, not a customer, and have the right to vote on a board of directors. Typically, personal finance expert Tal Frank tells mental_floss, membership often means you can expect better service at a credit union than at a big bank.

“However, if comparing a credit union to a community bank or a small local bank, you will probably find that you get a high level of service at both,” Frank says. “The smaller guys try harder. They also have more of a personal connection with clients or members.”

Credit unions are also non-profit organizations. “So, unlike banks, they don’t have stockholders who expect to receive a quarterly dividend payment,” Timothy Wiedman, a retired associate professor of management and human resources at Doane University, tells mental_floss. “And without the need to pay stockholders, federally insured credit unions can benefit their members by keeping fees low.”

As Weidman says, because they’re non-profit, credit unions can use any excess earnings to offer customers lower rates and better financial products. “Most banks pay lousy rates of interest, have too many fees, charge too much for those fees, and charge too much interest when loaning money,” says Wiedman. “Virtually all federally insured credit unions beat most banks in nearly every one of those categories.”

But the fact that they’re community-focused cooperatives doesn’t mean credit unions are a free-for-all: They operate under certain rules set by an organization called the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA). In addition to setting guidelines, the NCUA also insures your funds (just as the FDIC—Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation—does your deposits at a bank).

Interested an opening an account? Credit unions are a bit more exclusive than banks. “In the olden days, one had to be an employee of a particular company or member of a certain group to join a credit union,” Frank says. “Over the years that distinction has eroded for many credit unions. Guidelines changed to include allowing membership for family, a specific occupation, or all those who live in a geographic area (even as large as an entire state). As an example, Delta Community Credit Union is the largest in Georgia. Although there are ‘membership eligibility’ guidelines, the guidelines are so broad that it is pretty much open to anyone.”

Many credit unions will expand their membership to people outside of an industry or area if you make a small charitable donation, too. The Pentagon Financial Credit Union, for example, is typically only open to military employees, but just about anyone can get a membership with a one-time $15 donation to Voices for America’s Troops or the National Military Family Association.

If you’re looking for a credit union, ASmarterChoice.org is a good place to start your search. You’ll need to vet the credit union carefully, as you would any other financial institution: Make sure they are indeed insured by the NCUA, and read member reviews on comparison sites like NerdWallet and Bankrate. If convenience is important to you, you’ll also want to check out their mobile and online banking options to make sure they fit your needs.

If you have travel plans for the holidays, you’re not alone. The stretch between Thanksgiving and New Year’s is one of the busiest long-distance travel periods of the year, according to the Department of Transportation. “Although July and August are the peak months for break-ins, nearly 400,000 burglaries occur in the U.S. during November and December,” says Sarah Brown, a home security expert for SafeWise.

If you’ll be going away from home for the holidays, you want to make sure you’re not left vulnerable to thieves and vandals. Here are a few tips for keeping your house safe and secure so you can enjoy a worry-free trip.

1. KEEP UP WITH MAINTENANCE.

Nothing tips off a potential thief more than snow in the driveway, overgrown bushes, and newspapers piling up. Ask a friend or neighbor to check in and bring the mail inside each day. “Most burglaries take place between 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.,” says Brown. “Having a friend stop by around those hours can be helpful, or having a dog can keep [burglars] away.”

If you’re coming up short on volunteers, you can put your mail and newspaper deliveries on hold while you’re on vacation.

2. LOCK UP.

“Almost 30 percent of burglars enter a home through an unlocked door or window,” says Brown. “Double check you locked everything up before leaving. If you have automated locks, check up on them every so often or have alerts set to let you know when they are opened.”

3. MAKE IT LOOK LIKE SOMEONE’S HOME.

You don’t have to go full-on Home Alone, but there are a few simple steps you can take to deter thieves. For starters, you can connect your lights to an outlet timer (you can get one on Amazon for $7) and schedule it to turn on and off during certain times of day. “Set your lights on a timer but make sure they turn off,” Brown says. “Lights that stay on all of the time alert burglars you’re gone.”

Smart home technology makes this even easier. Smart light switches and outlet plugs, like the Belkin Wemo, allow you to set them to an automated “away” mode that can throw potential thieves for a loop.

And if you have a landline phone, Brown adds that you should turn down its ringer so it isn’t obvious no one is picking up the phone.

4. SET UP A SURVEILLANCE SYSTEM.

“Having a monitored security system is one of the safest ways to leave your home if you are going away on vacation,” Brown says. “Monitored simply means that there is a security company on call at all times if your alarm goes off.”

If you’re not prepared to invest in a monitored system just yet—or you are renting and don’t have the owner’s permission to do so—you can install a USB- or battery-powered camera in order to keep an eye on things while you’re out via an app. You could mount one on the ceiling to get a view of your overall home or set one by the window to see what’s going on outside. Just keep in mind, Brown says, “If you choose to have an unmonitored security system, or a self-monitored system, you are in charge of calling the authorities yourself.”

5. DON’T BROADCAST YOUR PLANS.

Think twice before bragging about your travel plans on social media—both before and after you take off. From Foursquare check-ins to Instagram tags, it’s easy for potential thieves to keep tabs on your whereabouts while you’re away.

(Banner image courtesy of iStock)

‘Tis the season for massive spending. Americans plan to shell out and average of nearly $600 on gifts for others this year, according to the National Retail Federation. That includes $460 for family, $76 for friends, and $24 for coworkers (sorry, coworkers). But even if you’ve got an extra 600 bucks in your budget, presents make up just one part of holiday spending. According to a Time survey, 43 percent of people reported that travel was actually their top expense this year, and another 10 percent said entertaining expenses trumped gift-giving.

Those stats are enough to make anyone sweat. But if you’re committed to getting through the season while sticking to your budget, the splurge-fest can induce panic. First things first: Take a deep breath. “The holidays can be an especially stressful time of year, but having a plan and the right expectations can go a long way,” says Catherine Derus, CFP, financial planner and founder of Brightwater Financial. Then, check out these expert-backed steps:

1. MAKE A LIST (AND CHECK IT TWICE)

No question, stretching your gift-giving budget across every recipient on your list only works if you actually have a complete list. (And all of those small gifts that you usually forget to budget for, like the $10 Secret Santa at work or the $20 gift card for the mail carrier, can quickly add up.) Odds are, you have a few new names to shop for this year—maybe your college BFF had a baby or you’ve gotten close with a new neighbor. Mapping out your list in advance makes it easy to keep an eye out for the right sales, and it can spare you from last-minute shopping sprees that can quickly tank your budget.

2. BATCH AND BUNDLE

December 23^rd is not the time to suggest a gift swap, but if you bring up the topic now you might be surprised at how relieved people are. “You’re definitely not the only one facing a long gift list—and shopping can be stressful even if people aren’t on a budget,” says Derus.

If talking money makes you feel like a Scrooge, focus on the time aspect—that you’re overwhelmed shopping for all 18 cousins or 12 sorority sisters and you think swapping names would let everyone focus on finding one great gift.

3. BRAINSTORM BEYOND THE RIBBONS AND BOWS

Be real: How many scented candles or funny mugs does one person need? “Maybe instead of buying another trinket that doesn’t mean much, you suggest doing a shared activity instead,” says Derus. Even with skate rentals and ample hot chocolate, an evening of ice skating with friends can be cheaper than everyone swapping $15 presents. And those shared memories can mean more, too: University of Pennsylvania researchers found that experiential gifts forge a stronger connection between the gift-giver and receiver than material presents.

4. DIY

“The more expensive a gift is does not mean more joy—period,” says Vid Ponnapalli, CFP, financial planner and founder of Unique Financial Advisors. “The joy comes from thinking about them and what they like, and finding something that shows you know their taste.”

That can mean splurging on a Le Creuset baking set for your sister who’s obsessed with sweets—or reining things in and opting for a homemade jar of vanilla sugar and one of your grandma’s treasured cookie recipes. You don’t have to be super crafty to go DIY, either. Maybe it’s offering to design a site for your friend who’s launching a business or gifting your pal who’s a new parent five date nights’ worth of baby-sitting.

5. PUSH BACK TRAVEL

You might be able to save a few bucks by booking odd flights during December (like flying out Christmas afternoon or embracing the 5 a.m. departure). But the absolute best way to save on holiday travel is to wait until the holidays are over, says Ponnapalli. “For the past 10 years, I’ve planned a vacation in January, when you can save so much on airfare, hotels, and car rentals,” he says. “I almost cut my ski vacation cost in half by timing it right.”

Booking something later in the winter doesn’t just mean less strain on your wallet—it can mean battling fewer crowds and less stress while you’re at your destination. And while it may feel awkward to put off traveling to see family until after the New Year, a quiet holiday at home can quickly become a new tradition, says Derus. “You’ll have a little more time to save and get your post-holiday finances in order, so you can enjoy the trip more,” she says.

(Banner image courtesy of iStock)

Unless you make all your purchases online, you’ll probably have to interact with a salesperson at one time or another this holiday season. Although most salespeople don’t try to intimidate or manipulate you into buying items you neither need nor want, it helps to know how to handle the ones that do. Whether you’re shopping for a car, gym membership, or toaster, here are eight tips for dealing with aggressive salespeople.

1. DISTINGUISH BETWEEN ASSERTIVE AND AGGRESSIVE.

There can be a fine line between being assertive and aggressive, and it’s up to you to distinguish between a salesperson who’s annoyingly overeager and one who will say anything to make a sale. If you’re waffling on whether to make a purchase, an assertive salesperson may provide more information or respectfully ask you what he can do to help you make your decision. An aggressive salesperson, on the other hand, may threaten to revoke a discounted price, complain that your indecision is wasting his time, or refuse to accept that you don’t want to make a purchase.

2. BE MINDFUL OF YOUR EMOTIONS.

Good salespeople are skilled at reading customers’ emotions and examining their body language to determine if they’re going to buy an item. But aggressive salespeople can use this skill to manipulate customers into buying something they don’t really want.

Depending on the product they’re trying to sell, salespeople for insurance plans or gym memberships may try to persuade you by capitalizing on your fears about death, money, health, or vanity. When you’re speaking with a salesperson, pay close attention to your emotions and listen to your gut. Watch out for salespeople who sound phony when they make small talk, reveal too much personal information (to try to become your friend), or make you feel guilty about not buying a product.

3. PRESENT A UNITED FRONT.

If you’re shopping for big-ticket items such as a car, boat, or house, salespeople may try to pit you and your spouse against each other. Beware of salespeople who try to physically separate you from your spouse, coax you to agree to a higher price than your partner, or appeal to your spouse’s sense of manhood or womanhood. Before you go shopping with your partner, decide on your budget, buying strategy, and any non-negotiables.

4. DON’T FALL FOR ARTIFICIAL DEADLINES.

To try to close a deal, aggressive salespeople often put time pressure on a customer. By giving customers made-up deadlines, salespeople exploit impulse buyers and appeal to customers’ fear of missing out on a good deal. To be sure, some stores run legitimate limited-time sales that put true deadlines on customers. Generally, though, if a salesperson tells you that you must buy an item now, and says that you’re not allowed to take time to think about it or do more research, consider that a red flag.

5. REGISTER YOUR PHONE NUMBERS ON THE DO NOT CALL REGISTRY.

Some salespeople (and scammers) make cold calls, hoping that someone they talk to will buy their product. Register your home and cell phone numbers on the National Do Not Call Registry to stop receiving telemarketing calls. But keep in mind that some telemarketers will still call phone numbers listed on the registry, so file a complaint or block their numbers. If a salesperson somehow gets you on the phone, politely tell her that you’re not interested and you want to be removed from her call list. Don’t feel guilty about cutting her off, not answering her questions, or hanging up.

6. BE MINDFUL OF COMMISSIONS.

Some salespeople earn a percentage of every product they sell, and this potential to make a commission can turn salespeople into predators. Be aware that a car salesman who’s telling you why you’d be foolish not to buy an extended warranty or a bridal consultant who insists the dress isn’t complete without a veil may earn a commission on every add-on he sells. Take time to do your own research on the product you’re buying in order to take the salesperson’s advice with a grain of salt. And when you’re making a big purchase, it doesn’t hurt to bring along a friend who can offer a second opinion; this way you don’t need to place as much trust in the salesperson’s praise (“That dress looks perfect on you!”) or fear tactics. (On the flip side, if you have a good experience with a salesperson who is likely earning a commission but need to take some time to think, be sure to ask for her by name when you return to the store.)

7. DON’T BE AFRAID TO REPEAT YOURSELF.

Pushy salespeople know that their persistence can wear you down and break your resolve. If you don’t want to buy something or need more time to think, be firm—and use unequivocal terms like “I don’t” or “I won’t” rather than “I can’t.” Politely tell the salesperson that you’re not going to make a purchase, and repeat yourself if they keep pushing. Most “people pleasers” will find it challenging to hold their ground, but remember that your first priority is to yourself, not the salesperson.

8. HAVE COMPASSION.

Aggressive salespeople are simply trying to do their job to the best of their ability, so don’t take it personally if you encounter a rude or forceful one. Even if a salesperson annoys or frustrates you, try to be polite and calm. Be firm if you’re not interested in what they’re selling, and ask to speak to a different salesperson or leave the store, if necessary.

Splurging feels synonymous with overspending and impulsiveness—but it doesn’t have to be. If you’re smart about your budget, you’ll have the means to spend a bit extra on high-ticket items or experiences. After all, the goal of budgeting isn’t to deprive yourself; it’s to prioritize your spending so that there is enough money to go around.

1. CREATE A SPLURGE FUND.

By definition, splurging just means spending on a luxury without worrying about the effect it has on your finances. It doesn’t have to be an impulsive, mindless purchase. You can plan for splurges—and you should. By living frugally you can get your spending and lifestyle inflation under control. However, being too restrictive with your spending can backfire. You get tired of pinching pennies, so the next time you feel the urge to splurge, you go overboard. Without any guidelines in place, this can put serious strain on your piggy bank.

The solution? Set aside some money for a splurge. Allow yourself the occasional frivolous indulgence, just make it mindful and create some guidelines around it. Figure out how much you want to put aside each month for your splurge, then keep it in a separate account or earmark it in some way. That way you have the money on hand to treat yourself the next time you’re tempted.

2. SPEND MONEY WHERE YOU SPEND TIME.

A splurge fund will help make your spending less impulsive, but ultimately, mindful splurging comes down to, well, mindfulness. Splurging strategically means optimizing that purchase: Go for something you’ll be able to enjoy often.

For example, a $300 pair of shoes you’ll rarely wear might not bring you as much joy as the $4 lattes you’d like to buy daily. On the other hand, if you wear the shoes often, they might be a better use of your fun money after all. Take stock of your own habits and preferences in order to make smart splurging decisions.

3. SPEND ON EXPERIENCES.

A study published in the Journal of Positive Psychology found that people “enjoy greater well-being from life experiences [rather than material items] and consider them to be a better use of money.” The idea is that you feel a deeper sense of fulfillment and create memories that will last.

4. PRIORITIZE YOUR LOVES, NOT LIKES.

However, a tech junkie might get more out of the new Apple Watch than a fancy dinner out. And while a playoff football game is an experience, it’s one only sports fans are likely to enjoy. You want to splurge on the areas that mean the most to you—so it helps to know what those areas are to begin with.

Make a list of the three areas in which spending brings you the most joy. It could be travel, electronics, spa visits, restaurants, or any other non-essential that makes you happy. Use this as your guide to understand and better divvy out your discretionary spending. If you notice you dole out a ton to restaurants, for example, and it’s not in your top three, you know you’re giving up something you love to pay for something you like.

5. CREATE RULES FOR SPLURGING.

Even with a splurge fund, excessive spending can be tempting. Rather than rely on your own willpower to resist that temptation, have some guidelines in place to rein yourself in. For example, make it a rule to consider the effect of your splurge. Over at Becoming Minimalist, author Joshua Becker explains:

Whenever you feel the pull of consumerism, simply ask yourself the shortened version of this thought, ‘What might I be able to do if I didn’t make this purchase?’

Every purchase contains an opportunity cost. The question, “But what if I don’t?”, forces us to recognize and articulate it.

Or, if you want to buy something outside of your budget, you could make it a rule to save more for another goal first. Let’s say you want to buy the latest $600 smartphone, for example. Allow yourself to splurge only after you pay off an extra $1000 of student loan debt. You may have to cut back on other areas to afford both, but this helps you keep sight of your long-term financial goals while you meet your immediate desires. Similarly, you could establish a rule that, for every splurge, you save the same amount. Spent $20 on fancy cocktails at dinner? Move $20 to your savings account. 

6. WAIT IT OUT.

If your goal is to get your impulsive spending under control, the best rule of thumb to follow is to wait. If you want to buy something you haven’t budgeted for, make it a rule that you can only buy it if you’ve waited a certain amount of time. Chances are, you’ll rethink your priorities. (And if that expensive dress or concert still seems like a great idea, it probably is.)

Forget New Year’s resolutions. The real time to wrangle with your personal finances is the fall—when you can still maximize your 2016 financial situation and also avoid the holiday debt that most of us drag into the next year. “We get so wrapped up in our families and travel and last-minute work stuff this time of year,” says Farnoosh Torabi, personal finance expert and author of You’re So Money. “But it’s really important to take a pause and think about what your year-end goals are.” Not quite sure what you should be tackling before 2016 comes to a close? Consider this your cheat sheet:

1. STUFF YOUR RETIREMENT ACCOUNTS.

Socking away more money in an IRA or 401(k) is a win-win: You’ll have dramatically more dough in your golden years than if you delay saving until later, and you’ll be able to lower your tax bill come April. “The more you contribute, the more you can deduct from your taxable income,” explains Torabi. “It’s really worth it to see if you have any room in your budget to increase your contributions over the next few months.”

Health insurance might have an open enrollment period, but retirement savings doesn’t work that way—you can head down to HR for help on how to bump things up at any time. (The upper limit for 401(k) contributions is $18,000 for 2016 and, if you’re under age 50, up to $5500 in a traditional IRA.)

Not quite sold on the power of compound interest, or why retirement savings should edge out some of your holiday shopping? Let’s assume you’re 25 years old and make $40,000 a year. If you can put an extra $400 yearly in your 401(k) account starting this year, you could have an extra $3870 in annual income when you’re ready to retire, according to Fidelity.com.

2. GET YOUR EYES CHECKED.

Health insurance deductibles have surged 67 percent over the past five years, according to a report by the Kaiser Family Foundation. And workers now pay an average of $1318 out of pocket before health coverage begins to cover part of their bills, up from $584 a decade ago. That means healthcare is probably eating up more and more of your monthly budget. But if you’ve already reached your deductible for 2016, you’ll pay dramatically less for any healthcare you get between now and the new year. So start making appointments! “If you need an eye exam or a flu shot or there’s a procedure you’ve been putting off, why not schedule it for the fall and take advantage of the fact that you’ve already covered your deductible,” says Torabi.

3. SPEND EVERY LAST CENT OF YOUR FSA.

If you set aside funds in a Flexible Savings Account (FSA), that money is “use it or lose it”—and you don’t want to kiss even one dollar good-bye. Torabi recommends checking the balance now, to avoid a frantic December 31 CVS run for stuff you might not actually use. Qualified expenses range from acupuncture to antacids, childbirth classes to copays, according to benefits provider WageWorks. Just make sure you’re mindful of which expenses require you to show a prescription (such as some OTC medications) so you’re not denied down the road.

4. MAKE A HOLIDAY BUDGET.

Even if you’ve been diligently rocking your cash flow each month, the holidays can mean a major loop. Last year, the average American spent $830 on Christmas presents—and for nearly one-third of celebrants, that figure topped $1000, according to a Gallup poll. Add in holiday travel, parties, and decorations, and celebrating the season can get seriously pricey. Finding that extra scratch is hard to do without some advance planning—which might explain why credit card debt tends to rise in the last few months of the year.

Rather than trying to hold back in the moment, Torabi suggests mapping out a strategy well before Jingle Bells takes over the radio. “Maybe instead of everyone in the extended family buying a bunch of gifts, you suggest picking a name out of a hat for a gift exchange and setting the limit at $50,” she says. Or you start buying gifts earlier this year, so you have more time to bargain hunt on sites like Groupon and Giftcardgranny.com. Or, if you’re loathe to trim any line items from your holiday budget, you balance out all of that extra spending by earning more income. “If you have time on the weekends or evenings, a small side gig for a couple of months can really help,” she says. Seasonal workers are in high demand this time of year, or you can jump into the gig economy by checking out Uber or Taskrabbit.