We are less than a week out from Halloween which means before we know it, the holiday season will be in full swing. But before we turn on the Christmas music and start bustling around from one party to the next, we need to celebrate this spooky season with some financial flare.  

But, just logging into your bank account or opening a credit card statement might scare you more than your neighbors cackling witch decoration. Finances bring up a lot of emotions and your statements can be a physical reminder of what your money situation truly is. We are just two months away from the end of the year. Now is the time to start making changes one step at a time if you want your financial situation to look different next year. 

Unfortunately, you won’t just wake up on New Year’s Day ready to tackle your financial goals if you aren’t building the habits that you need now. Here are a few (Halloween themed of course) areas of your life to focus on to set you up for success in 2024. 

Budgeting “Ghoul”deas: Begin with a discussion of budgeting in the context of “scary” spending habits. Share tips on how to create a budget that “exorcises” your financial demons and keeps your money from vanishing like a ghost. 

The Haunting Debt Trap: Explore the eerie world of debt and how it can haunt your financial life. Discuss strategies to break free from the debt “curse” and banish those financial specters for good. 

Magic of Tax Planning: Unravel the mysterious world of tax planning. Explain how tax strategies can help “conjure” up savings and keep more money in your cauldron. 

Estate Planning: The Spell of Legacy: Discuss estate planning to ensure your financial legacy is passed down according to your wishes, as if casting a spell on your assets. 

Retirement, the Mysterious Future: Talk about the spookiness of not knowing what the future holds, especially in retirement. Discuss the importance of planning for this “mysterious” phase of life and how it can bring peace of mind. 

And lastly, don’t forget the emotional side of finances. As I mentioned before, it can be difficult just to open up your bills each month. A lot of our financial choices and emotions around money are due experiences we had growing up. For example, how our parents talked about money, the different economic events that occurred, and so much more. This is called your money story. The best way to understand why you have certain feelings and emotions around money is to understand your money story. This allows you to become more aware and build a starting point for change in the future. Want to learn your money story? Grab a copy of the Your Money Story the Workbook here to take the first step in making your finances less spooky.

Caroline Tanis