1. Assess your debts. You should never fail to monitor your debts, especially when your debts are going through a repayment process. Debt assessment provides you a picture of how far you have gone with credits this year. You can mark the areas that need re-evaluation.Create a spreadsheet of debts that would be carried over to the New Year. This should help you plan a better course for 2015.
2. Review your retirement accounts. Take the time to review those accounts and find out if you are at the place where you should be. The retirement calculator is a great tool to know how much money is still needed. A once-a-year review of your retirement accounts helps you to ensure that you are hitting your goals.
3. Check your credit information. Normally, this should be done at least twice a year - mid-way through the year and at year-end. Checking your credit report allows you to see errors. As soon as you find errors, contest them immediately. Also, check on your credit score. If your score is lower than where you want to be and you are planning to make a big purchase next year, you can also plan on how to improve your credit.
4. Re-evaluate your budget. Your budget should change as your expenses change. So take your bank and credit statements over the last quarter and find out where your money is going. Break your expenses down into helpful categories. This is your tool in creating a new and realistic budget for 2015.
All these may overwhelm you but if you take one day for each item, you will be ready to roll to the New Year in four days.