The Thanksgiving and Christmas seasons are nearly upon us. It is a time of year that many look forward to while others view the holidays as a time of dread. Those who see the holidays in a negative light often suffer from financial difficulties. Trouble with finances is a great burden and makes enjoying this time of year tough. If you want to enjoy the holidays this year, do yourself a favor and get your finances in order.

Take an Inventory of Your Debts

Analyzing what you owe is a good first step. You can then develop a plan to attack paying off these debts. If you have credit card debt like many American households, identify those debts where you are paying the highest interest. It would be wise to get rid of those debts first. Some of your debt, a student loan, for example, can be viewed as an investment and not a drain on your resources. Those types of debt do not need to be paid off immediately.

Consider Consolidating Debt

Once you have analyzed your debts, consider consolidating as much of the highest interest debt into one loan with a much lower interest rate and a much lower payment. One method of doing so would be using a car title loan, a short-term loan that uses a vehicle as collateral. If you own a car or truck, you could qualify for a title loan from Embassy Loans. If you have a newer model car and a clear title, you could access the money you need to pay off your debt. Obtaining a car title loan is much easier and quicker than a traditional loan from a bank. Car title loans are short-term loans and are usually paid off within a year.

Establish a Budget for the New Year

With a plan in place to pay off your debt, you should look at it as a chance to start over. You should establish a budget so that you do not fall back into the financial trap of living paycheck to paycheck. List all sources of income as well as all expenses on a monthly basis. A solid budget will keep track of every single cent that is earned and spent. The budget needs to account for everything from a stop at the local coffee shop before work to the once-a-month job at the local gym. By tracking all your expenses as well as all sources of income, you will put your financial life in order. Doing so will put your mind at ease so that you can enjoy this year’s holidays.