Every December, we feel it—the pull to give more, spend more, and show love through gifts, experiences, and celebrations. But when the lights come down, and January hits, too many of us are left with emotional exhaustion and a credit card bill that doesn’t reflect the joy we were chasing.
It doesn’t have to be this way.
This year, instead of scrambling to recover in January, you can make a powerful decision now: to end the year strong and start the next one without new debt. And no, this isn’t about cutting everything or living on rice and beans. It’s about alignment. It’s about clarity. It’s about deciding who you want to be financially, emotionally, and energetically—and building a plan around that.
As a financial educator and coach, I’ve helped people reclaim their peace by building simple, values-based money plans that don’t just protect their bank accounts. They also protect their well-being. Let me walk you through this approach. You can do it in one day. You can do it today.
Here are five steps (plus one bonus) to start January without new debt—and with your power intact.
Step 1: Get Clear on What Actually Matters to You
Before you create a plan, take a moment to reconnect with your values.
Values-based spending isn’t about restriction—it’s about intention. When you know what you value most, your money choices become more transparent and more aligned. You stop spending out of guilt, impulse, or pressure. You start spending in ways that reflect who you really are and where you want to go.
Take five minutes to write down your top three values. Ask yourself:
- Where is my money reflecting these values?
- Where is it not?
- What would it look like to honor these values through how I spend during the holidays and into next year?
For me, one of my top values is freedom—financial, emotional, and creative. That means I’ve had to learn to say no to some things in the short term so I can say yes to bigger dreams in the long term.
Let your values lead. They’re your anchor.
Step 2: Make Your One-Day Money Plan for the Year Ahead
Once you’re clear on your values, it’s time to create a simple, one-day money plan that will guide you through not just the holiday season, but the entire year ahead.
This isn’t a strict budget filled with spreadsheets and stress—it’s a clarity tool. A reset. A foundation. It helps you get honest about where your money needs to go, where you want it to go, and what boundaries you’ll need to set to avoid new debt in the coming year.
Set aside 30–45 minutes. Grab a notebook, your favorite drink, your bank app, and a quiet space. Then create three categories:
- Must-Pays: What fixed and essential expenses do you need to cover consistently? Think rent, utilities, debt payments, groceries, child care—the non-negotiables.
- Aligned Joys: What are the things that bring you real joy and peace—not just during the holidays, but throughout the year? That might include travel, creative hobbies, gifts, family activities, or even investments in rest and wellness. Prioritize what matters to you.
- Boundaries: Where do you need to draw the line to stay out of debt and be aligned with your values? Maybe it’s unsubscribing from sales emails. Maybe it’s saying no to things that don’t serve your goals—even if they feel good in the moment.
This one-day planning session helps you map out the kind of year you want to have—one with less financial chaos, and more peace, purpose, and progress. It doesn’t have to be perfect. But it should be real.
Ask yourself:
- Where do I want to be financially one year from now?
- What habits or expenses have to shift to make that possible?
- How can I honor both my responsibilities and my desires in this plan?
You’re creating a year of clarity, not just a few weeks of control. Let this plan be your anchor all year long—something you return to when things feel messy or uncertain.
Step 3: Prioritize Your Health—It Affects Everything
Here’s the truth most money experts won’t tell you: your physical and emotional health directly impacts your financial health.
When you’re burned out, sleep-deprived, or emotionally exhausted, you’re more likely to make reactive money decisions. You overspend on takeout. You skip planning ahead. You soothe stress by shopping or saying yes when you should say no.
I’ve worked with countless people who couldn’t get their budgets on track—not because they lacked discipline, but because they were simply too depleted to care.
This season, prioritize rest. Move your body in ways that feel good. Drink more water. Get outside. It doesn’t have to be complicated.
When your nervous system is regulated, your decisions improve. You respond instead of react. And that shift can save you hundreds, if not thousands, over time.
Step 4: Root Yourself in Something Deeper
Money is deeply emotional. And it’s deeply spiritual. As you build your year-end plan, take time to root yourself in practices that reconnect you with your purpose, your peace, and your power.
This could be prayer. It could be going to church. It could also be a solo walk through nature, journaling in the morning, or lighting a candle and meditating in silence.
There is no one right way; the point is to stay connected to something bigger than your to-do list or bank balance. Because when the pressures of the season hit—and they will—you’ll need a source of grounding to return to.
Ask yourself: What fills my cup? What helps me reconnect with myself when I feel scattered or overwhelmed?
Even five minutes a day can change your energy. And when your energy is grounded, your money follows.
Step 5: Know When It’s Time to Ask for Help
Let me be clear: asking for help is not weakness—it’s wisdom.
Sometimes, the best thing you can do for your finances is admit you’re stuck. That you’ve tried to budget, to stay on track, to stop using the credit card—and it’s just not working. That’s okay.
This is where support matters. Whether it’s working with a financial coach, joining a debt relief program, or even just talking to a trusted friend, you don’t have to carry this alone.
In my work, I’ve seen how powerful it is when people ask for support. Their shame melts. Their clarity grows. And their progress multiplies.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed and unsure about your next step, reach out to the debt experts at SmartSpending to explore support options. You are not alone in this.
Bonus Step: Choose One Skill That Supports Your Future Self
Even while navigating debt or tight finances, you still have the right to grow. In fact, investing in yourself—your skills, your voice, your strength—is one of the best ways to shift your long-term financial reality.
So ask yourself:
What’s one skill I can learn or deepen next year that supports my vision and values?
Just one. Not five goals. Not a long resolution list. Just one focus.
- Maybe it’s your health—learning how to move more or cook nourishing meals at home.
- Maybe it’s communication—getting more articulate when you speak, presenting confidently, advocating for yourself.
- Maybe it’s learning how to plan your week, manage your time, or organize your space.
- Or maybe it’s something career-focused—asking: What technical skills do I need to learn to stay competitive in the job market? Think about digital tools, certifications, or software that align with your career path.
Choose one. Then commit to growing in that area for a full year. Mastery creates momentum. And momentum creates opportunities.
Debt doesn’t get to define your next chapter—but your decisions will.
You Can Start Today
Here’s the truth: You don’t need to wait for January. You don’t need to wait for more money or more time, or a better situation. You just need one day. One decision. One clear, aligned plan.
You are allowed to enjoy the holidays. You are allowed to set boundaries. You are allowed to rest. You are allowed to grow. And you are allowed to ask for help.
Let this be the year you close the chapter differently.
No more starting over in January—start strong now.