Put the voice to bed

OVER the Christmas and New Year holiday period, it is very easy for finances to get the better of us.

We tend to stick our heads in the sand somewhat, while happily spending our dollars on things we might not otherwise do during the year.

Ice-creams every day with the kids. Long lunches and dinners with friends. Stocking the alcohol supplies at home. Renting the holiday toys and activities that keep everyone entertained.

Somewhere in the background, there is often a quiet little voice whispering: “There will be a reckoning.”

I am not going to be the person who suggests you forgo the Christmas and New Year fun. This time of year is expensive, and it is also important. You’ve earned it, and deserve to let your hair down. Instead, I am more interested in how we put that voice to bed so you can actually enjoy the period without anxiety.

Here are my three suggestions to help you feel okay about your finances over Christmas and into the New Year.

1. Accept that the credit card or savings balance will take a hit, and plan the clean up

For most households, the credit card balance will rise, or the savings account will fall. Accept that. It is okay. What matters is not pretending it did not happen.

The key is having an action in place to clean it up. Book an appointment with your financial planner in February. That gives you a clear line in the sand to reset, review cash flow and plan for the year ahead.

If you do not currently have an adviser, consider this your opportunity to start a relationship with one. Peace of mind often comes from knowing there is a plan waiting for you on the other side of summer.

2. Revisit your loans early in the new year

Your home loan is usually your largest outgoing expense. Even small changes here can have a meaningful impact on household cash flow.

A simple refinance, rate review or consolidation of debts can often wipe thousands of dollars off expenses across the year ahead. That can turn Christmas spending from a source of stress into a temporary blip that gets absorbed quickly. And the savings can quickly exceed the costs of the Christmas period.

If it has been more than a year since your loan was reviewed, get that appointment scheduled for February. Waiting costs more than most people realise.

3. Use an app to fairly share expenses

Social spending ramps up at this time of year, and someone often ends up being the “generous” one. There is nothing noble about quietly carrying more than your share.

Apps like Splitwise and SettleUp remove the awkwardness. Everyone can see what is being spent, and everyone pulls their weight. Clear expectations protect friendships and your finances.

Good luck. We hope you have had an amazing Christmas so far, and that you enjoy a fun, safe and financially successful 2026.

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