New year, new you – and a new approach to your finances. The holidays are pretty much over, and there’s a good chance that you’ve spent more than you’re willing to admit over the past couple of months.

What better time than now to get your finances organized, and start the new year out right? As we leave the holidays behind us for another 12 months, let’s look at how you can leave your money worries behind you as well. Let’s check out how to get your finances organized in the new year.

1.     Rethink Savings

What do you think when you hear the word ‘savings’? Does it make you think of a certain bank account that could do with a top-up? What about it being part of your fixed outgoings?

One helpful way to organize your finances in the new year is to rethink your savings, and how you approach putting money into your savings account. If you think of it as a fixed outgoing expenses every week that you must stick to, then you’re more likely to see it through, and actually save over the next year.

2.     Pay Your Bills on Time

It’s easy to get a bill in the mail, throw it on the countertop, and forget about it for a while before one family member finally has enough and pays it.

If you want to stay on top of your finances – and even save a bit of money in the process – try to pay your bills as soon as you get them. Most companies offer discounts for early payers, so getting it off your chest – and your kitchen counter – can actually help you save more.

3.     Consider Refinancing as an Option

There is such a thing as good debt and bad debt. If you’ve welcomed in the new year with a bit of bad debt, you may be wondering how you’re going to tackle it.

Thankfully, there are a few options out there to help chip away at the bad debt until it’s gone completely. You’ve got title loan refinance options available, as well as personal loan offers, too. It all comes down to what you’re comfortable with and what suits your needs best.

4.     Avoid the Overdraft

If you’ve got an overdraft on your checking account, consider ignoring it as much as possible – or even getting rid of it completely.

You may have relied on your overdraft to help pay bills and unexpected expenses in the past. However, with a new year to spend organizing your finances, what better way to start than by saying goodbye to that overdraft, and only spending what you have? It may be painful at times, but in the long run, it’s going to save you a lot of stress.

5.     Always be Prepared

This is more of a Boy Scout motto, but it can also apply to the family finances, too. Having savings is one thing, but ideally, you also need an emergency fund that you can dip into – but only when you need it.

If you separate savings and your emergency fund, it won’t feel so painful parting with the cash when things happen that you didn’t expect.

This year is all about getting your financial record on track. It may seem daunting at first, but if you break it down into smaller, more manageable steps like the ones we’ve got above, we have a feeling that you’ll achieve your family’s financial goals.