In December, we’re looking forward to lots of family time: our sister's famous eggnog pie, our group singing sessions around the piano and our kids' giggly reunion with their cousins.
Of course, if you know anything about eggnog pie, you know that it requires our full attention.
To give help you give that pie the attention it deserves, we bring you the top monthly financial to-dos to help you get your metaphorical house in order (even when your literal house is full of relatives). This month, we bring you a cheat sheet to the financial to-dos that deserve your consideration before the new year strikes 12.
Get these done, and you’ll be free to eat all the pie you want. If your kids don't beat you to it.
Reassess Your Family Holiday Budget. Deadline: Monday, December 5
Everyone knows December is a red alert for budgets. When you’re buying gifts for family, extended family, colleagues, friends, friends’ kids and more—on top of your other usual expenditures—it can be hard to stay on track. Since you've probably already started buying presents (as we suggested in our gift guides), make sure you haven’t gone over your total holiday budget. The LearnVest My Money Center allows you to watch transactions as they add up, to make sure everything is accounted for.
If you still need to make a holiday gift budget, check out our handy new gift budget calculator.
Teacher Gifts & Holiday Tipping. Deadline: Thursday, December 8
Make sure you don’t forget anyone this year—and that you leave enough room in your budget for these little shows of gratitude. Chart out gifts for teachers, nannies, caretakers, housekeepers and anyone else you’ll give a gift or a tip to. Figure out how much that will cost, all told, and whether you need to cut back on some other part of your total budget to make room.
Max Out 529 College Savings Plans. Deadline: Monday, December 12
We've included this in our list because it's important to have on your radar, but note that you should max out your retirement savings before your 529 plans. For more on that and the employee benefits to max out before the new year, check out our LV Daily's December To-Do List.
When we talk about “maxing out” your 529, we’re referring to the cap most states put on the amount you can claim for a tax deduction each year. The maximum amount will vary by state, and Colorado, New Mexico, South Carolina and West Virginia actually have no annual limit! So, make sure you’re getting the highest possible tax benefit for this year … and doing it before the clock strikes 2012. All but a few states treat December 31st as their deadline (the others give you until April 15th of next year), so contribute now to be safe. Find your state’s policies here.
For four mistakes to avoid when choosing a 529 plan, read this.
Evaluate Your Spending Choices. Deadline: Friday, December 16
Now that you've bought presents and reassessed your family holiday budget, take a minute to step back and evaluate your spending choices. Are your dollars being spent where they mean the most? Of course, not every purchase around the holidays is something you need, but make sure your holiday budget is full of the purchases that will have the biggest impact for the money. For help analyzing your own spending patterns, read this.
Enjoy Undisturbed Family Time. Deadline: Monday, December 26
After you've spent a couple days out of the month tackling this to-do list, set aside everything else that's been nagging you. Focus the rest of your energy solely on enjoying your time as a family. Studies have actually shown that taking time off can make us better at our jobs, happier with our family lives and even physically healthier. All the money and obligations in the world can’t bring you the happiness you gain from the ones you love.
Create a Gratitude List. Deadline: Saturday, December 31
At LearnVest, we want to help you live your best life. We recognize that that often means having enough money to accomplish your goals and dreams, so we're here to help you with that. All the same, the end of the year is a good time to reflect on everything we do have and our hopes for the future. Before the end of the year, create a gratitude list with everything you're thankful for (we showed you how to do this back around Thanksgiving). Then create a second list with everything you hope to accomplish in 2012. For a dose of inspiration, hang it on your desk or in another place where you'll see it regularly.
Print out your full to-do list, plus what to buy now, here.
What To Buy When
 Winter Boots, Clothing and Coats:Get in on winter sales now for the best selection |  Suits:Around the new year, stores discount their fall suits |  Perfume:A popular holiday gift, perfume is often on sale after the season |  Home Furnishings:Retailers are making room for new inventory |
 Calendars:Just after the new year, prices are drastically reduced |  Carpets and Flooring:Many people spruce up their homes during the holidays, so prices plummet afterwards |  Big Appliances:Stock not sold during the holiday rush is now heavily discounted |  Linens and Bedding:Ever-popular "white sales" make January the best month for these items |
 Holiday Supplies:If you're willing and able to store cards and wrapping paper for a year, you can find them now for up to 80% off |  Office Furniture:Retailers cater to home businesses starting around the new year |  Video Games:New games are released for the holidays, but you can get them marked down afterwards |
 Winter Boots, Clothing and Coats:The selection is sparser, but the sales are steeper |  Perfume:Score a deal after Valentine’s Day |  Homes:Bad weather keeps buyers at bay, so competition is weak, and sellers are eager |
 Home Renovations:You’ll pay less and get more attention from contractors, because few people renovate so early in the year |  Bicycles:Retailers mark down older models to make room for new inventory in February and March |  Cameras:New models come out in January and February, so buy last year’s version at a discount |
 Home Entertainment Systems:The best TV and home theater sales come just before the Super Bowl |  Video Games:New games are released for the holidays, so you can get them marked down after the rush |  Chocolates and Candy:Buy after Valentine’s Day, of course |
 Sweaters and Cashmere:Prices can be reduced by as much as 25% to 40% from the end of March through April |  China and Flatware:Get in on inventory left over from the holidays |  Air Conditioners:Don’t wait for the weather to get hot; demand is low now, as are prices |
 Gas Grills:As with air conditioners, demand and prices are low |  Gardening Tools:Rakes, hoes, shovels and other gardening implements are as much as 50% off |  Frozen Food:It’s National Frozen Food Month, so supermarkets celebrate with sales |
 Sweaters and Cashmere:Stock up now on next winter's sweaters with steep sales |  Sneakers:In spring, stores entice warm-weather runners with sales |  Vacuum Cleaners:Retailers slash prices now to make room for new models in June |
 Snow Blowers:Come April, demand is low, so scoop up one for next year |  Office Furniture:Retailers cater to home businesses starting after tax season |  Cruises:This is the season for repositioning cruises, which have fewer ports of call but are cheaper and of great value |
 Electronics:After the Japanese fiscal year closes at the end of March, retailers make room for new models of Japanese electronics |
 Sweaters and Cashmere:Prices can be reduced by as much as 25% to 40% |  Vacuum Cleaners:Retailers slash prices now to make room for new models in June |  Cookware:Graduation and wedding promotions mean you should buy pots and pans now |  Refrigerators:New fridges come out during the summer, so stores are clearing space; negotiate a deal |
 Big Appliances:Stock not sold during the holiday rush is now heavily discounted |  Patio Furniture:Warm weather means newer models, so buy last season’s styles now |  Grilling Supplies:Get charcoal and lighter fluid before summer kicks into high gear and prices go up |  Small Kitchen Appliances:Get your mixers and blenders now, when there are sales for wedding and graduation season |
 Party Supplies:Whether or not you’re throwing a graduation party, stock up on disposable plates, cups, etc. |  Electronics:After the Japanese fiscal year closes at the end of March, retailers make room for new models of Japanese electronics |  Mattresses and Box Springs:Stores want to make room for new models, so negotiate a good deal now |
 Men’s Suits:Father’s Day sales mean low prices |  Tools:Father’s Day strikes again |  Cookware:It’s not only wedding bells that are ringing—registers are ringing with sales of pots and pans |
 Paint:When it’s hot out, no one feels like painting … which is why it’s cheap at this time of year |  Butter:Butter production is at its best in June and July, so prices are accordingly low; freeze for up to six months to make it last |  Champagne and Sparkling Wine:There are usually deals for bubbly during the holidays and before June weddings |
 Gym Memberships:The outdoors beckon, so gyms are offering deals |
 Suits:Get a spring suit—in the middle of summer |  Furniture:Retailers are clearing space to make room for new inventory |  Big Appliances:Take advantage of Independence Day sales |
 Paint:When it’s hot out, no one feels like painting … which is why it’s cheap at this time of year |  Butter:Butter production is at its best in June and July, so prices are accordingly low; freeze for up to six months to make it last | |
 Flip-flops:Ever-useful flip-flops are harder to find later in the year; buy them now when retailers still have them in stock and they’re on sale |  School Supplies:Back-to-school sales! |  Trees, Shrubs, Plants:Nab end-of-summer deals late in the month, and store your plants according to instructions until next spring. Alternatively, buy bulbs, which you can plant whenever |
 Lawn Mowers and Swing Sets:Stores discount these summer items now to make room for fall products |  Computers:Capitalize on back-to-school sales |  MP3 Players:Stores want to get rid of old models before October when new styles come out and the holiday rush begins |
 China and Flatware:Get in on the inventory left over from wedding season |  Wine:The harvest is coming in, so you can find eclectic wines from smaller wineries early in the season |  Computers:Upgrade yours during back-to-school sales |
 Jeans:The remainders from back-to-school season are now available inexpensively for kids and adults |  MP3 Players:Stores want to get rid of old models before October, when new styles come out and the holiday rush begins |  Cars:Next year’s models have arrived, so dealers want to sell the current year’s leftovers, giving you negotiating leverage |
 Holiday Airfare:It’s about eight weeks before Thanksgiving, so make travel plans before flights book up and prices skyrocket |
 Jeans:The back-to-school sales continue, with sparser selection but steeper discounts |  Swimsuits:Cash in on swimwear sales now through November |  Big Appliances:Buy last year’s models now; shop during Columbus Day weekend, because stores celebrate even small holidays with sales |
 Air Conditioners:Temperatures are cooling, and so are prices |  Gas Grills:Pick these up now for next summer |  School Supplies:Back-to-school sales! |
 Toys:Retailers lower prices as early as October in order to maximize holiday sales |  Cars:Next year’s models have arrived, so dealers want to sell the current year’s leftovers, giving you negotiating leverage |  Health Insurance:Open enrollment may be your one chance to sign up for insurance for next year |
 Wedding Dresses:Wedding fever is at its lowest pitch now |  Swimsuits:Swimwear is as much as 90% off, but selection is low |  Cookware:Kitchenware becomes cheaper as the holidays approach |
 Christmas Trees:For the best selection, get your tree right after Thanksgiving; it’ll stay good for at least a month, and trees later in the season have been cut weeks earlier anyway |  Frozen Turkeys:Buy one immediately after Thanksgiving, when grocery stores still have a glut |  Toys:Retailers are slashing prices to maximize holiday sales |
 Electronics:Black Friday and Cyber Monday offer great deals on everything from TVs to computers |
 Wedding Dresses:The beginning of December is the slow season, so get in before holiday engagements |  Televisions:In the run up to the holidays, stores have big sales on TVs |  Pools:Off-season, you’ll find the cheapest prices, though maybe not the best inventory |
 Small Kitchen Appliances:Get your mixer and blender during holiday sales |  Champagne and Sparkling Wine:Although these are in high demand, prices are also more competitive than usual |  Frozen Meat:Buy this immediately after Christmas, when grocery stores still have a glut |
