Holiday Preparedness: 10 Ways to Help You Thrive This Holiday Season

The holidays bring joy, activity, and—sometimes—unexpected expenses. With a little planning, you can enjoy the season without unnecessary financial stress. Here are ten practical steps to help you stay organized, protected, and confident throughout the busiest time of the year.

1. Create a Realistic Holiday Budget Early

Start by assessing your current finances, then set spending limits for gifts, travel, food, decorations, and entertainment. Track your spending using a spreadsheet or budgeting app. Consider setting up a holiday “sinking fund” by automatically transferring small amounts into savings throughout the year. Download CODE’s Holiday Budgeting form HERE.

2. Make a Gift List and Stick to It

List everyone you plan to buy for and assign a dollar amount per person. Explore options like Secret Santa, price caps, or handmade gifts. Using rewards points or gift cards you already have can also help reduce out-of-pocket costs. Download our gift budgeting form HERE!

3. Pay with Credit Cards for Added Protection

CODE Credit cards offer strong fraud protection than peer-to-peer payment apps. Enable transaction alerts and review statements often. If you use a credit card, plan to pay it off immediately to avoid interest charges.
Learn more about CODE’s credit cards HERE

4. Shop Smart and Verify Deals

Compare prices across trusted retailers and use browser tools to identify legitimate discounts. Only shop on secure sites—look for “https://” and a padlock icon. Avoid public Wi-Fi when entering payment information.

5. Be Strategic About Sales

A discounted item is only a deal if you truly need it or had already planned to purchase it. If you wouldn’t buy it at full price, it may be best to skip it.

6. Stay Alert for Holiday Scams

Fraud attempts increase during this season. Be cautious of fake delivery notices, fake charity requests, suspicious ads, or unexpected refund calls. Never click on unsolicited links or provide personal information through email or text. Always visit a retailer or charity’s website directly. Click HERE to learn more about ways to protect yourself from fraud!

7. Use Cash or Debit for Better Impulse Control

For small purchases or in-person shopping, using cash can help you stay on track. If using debit, ensure overdraft protection is linked to savings—not a credit line.

8. Monitor Accounts and Credit Closely
   Check your accounts frequently and set up alerts to catch unusual activity quickly. If you haven’t already, enroll in Credit Score through Online Banking to keep an eye on changes to your credit profile. It is FREE and your credit is not affected by enrolling. You can also request one free credit report per year at annualcreditreport.com.
9. Protect Your Information Online

Use secure websites, strong passwords, and trusted networks. Consider using credit instead of debit when shopping online for improved fraud protection. For more information visit: https://www.codecu.org/protect-yourself-online/

10. Plan for Post-Holiday Recovery

After the season ends, schedule a Financial Check-Up to start the new year on the right foot by click HERE. Review your spending and adjust your plan for next year. If you receive gift money or a year-end bonus, applying part of it to savings or debt can ease the transition into 2026.