The holidays are supposed to be the most wonderful time of the year, but for many people, they’re also the most expensive. If you’re heading into the new year feeling financially drained, overwhelmed by bills, or unsure how you’ll make it through January, you're not alone.
The good news? There’s still time to turn things around.
At Sunset Finance, we believe in meeting people where they are. Whether you’re recovering from holiday spending or just ready to take control of your money in the new year, here are realistic, non-judgmental tips to help you reset, reduce stress, and make 2026 your most financially confident year yet.
Before you plan ahead, pause and assess:
What you can do:
Take 30 minutes to write down all your current expenses, due dates, and balances—no shame, just awareness. This becomes your launchpad for better decisions going forward.
Helpful tips: Use a free budgeting app like Mint, Goodbudget, or even a simple notebook or spreadsheet to stay organized.
You don’t have to go into “deprivation mode” in January, but small, thoughtful cutbacks can free up money without sacrificing your lifestyle.
Try this:
Goal: Free up $100 to $300 this month to put toward bills, savings, or catching up.
Need breathing room? If you're still falling short after trimming expenses, a small personal loan from Sunset Finance could help manage leftover holiday costs with a predictable repayment plan.
Even if you’re still in holiday mode, prepping for tax season now can save you time, stress, and money later.
Do this before January:
Pro tip: Filing early can help you get your refund faster, and help prevent tax-related identity theft. Sunset Finance offers tax prep services and the Taxes To Go mobile app, so you can file securely from home and get guidance from a local team that knows the process.
Many people treat their tax refund like a surprise bonus, but having a plan for it now makes it much more powerful.
Smart uses for your refund:
Need your refund sooner? A tax advance loan from Sunset Finance lets you access a portion of your expected refund early, so you can avoid late fees or payday loans while waiting for the IRS to process returns.
Big resolutions can feel overwhelming, so don’t make a 12-month financial plan. Start with one month: January.
Keep it simple:
If you've never created a monthly budget before, the 50/30/20 rule is a simple, beginner-friendly framework that can help you divide your income into three basic categories:
This half of your income should go toward the essentials you must pay to live and work. These include:
Example: If your monthly take-home pay is $2,000, then around $1,000 should go to your needs.
This category covers non-essential spending, things you enjoy but could technically live without. It’s important not to cut this to zero, because it helps make your budget sustainable.
This can include:
Example: With a $2,000/month income, $600 can be allocated to wants, but if money is tight, you can temporarily adjust this category and shift some of it to needs or savings.
The last 20% should go toward improving your financial future. This includes:
Example: If your goal is to pay down holiday debt, you could use $400/month (20% of a $2,000 monthly income) toward an extra payment or into a high-interest savings account to avoid future borrowing.
Setting a massive goal like “get out of debt” or “build a huge savings account” is inspiring, but also easy to abandon. Instead, set one small, meaningful financial goal for January.
Examples:
The Goal: Build momentum and confidence. One small win leads to the next.
At Sunset Finance, we’ve helped thousands of people in South Carolina and Georgia get through tough times with dignity and personalized support. We’re not here to sell you something you don’t need, we’re here to help you build a plan that works.
We offer:
You don’t have to have it all figured out. The key is to take one small, thoughtful step at a time. Whether that’s reviewing your budget, making a phone call, or filing your taxes early, you’re moving in the right direction.
Let’s finish this year with a plan and start 2026 strong. Start with these steps: