A household budget is a critical and basic part of any plan for financial freedom. It is the foundation on which everything else is built. But a budget is not something that you set and forget. You have to review and revise it regularly, so that it continues to reflect your expenses and keep you on target for your long-term goals.

December is a great time to do this review in preparation for the coming year. So in this episode of the podcast I wanted to talk about what you need to do to get ready for 2018. What better way to have a happy new year than to know that it will lead to a bright financial future!

One of the biggest news stories right now has to do with the tax reform bills that have been passed in both houses of Congress. They make sweeping reforms to many areas of the tax code, and each version has some differences. But as a student loan lawyer, I am most concerned about how it would affect education, and if you are a student, a parent of one, or a graduate, you should be concerned too.

So in this episode of the podcast I wanted to go over the changes and discuss what they could mean for you, and what could end up in the combined bill.

Whether you celebrate Christmas, Chanukah, or some other December holiday, the “season of giving” can be the biggest budget buster of them all, especially as you approach the annual finish line. A “spirit of giving” is a wonderful thing, but there are practical, financial limits that should not be ignored, or it can put you in a financial hole when the credit card bill comes in January.

 That is why, in this episode of the podcast, I talk about 15 things you can do to be sure that you are celebrating the new year on a firm financial footing after having a wonderful holiday season.