 TITLE: 7 Tips to Help You Recover From Holiday Spending CONTENT: 7\\. Prepare for the Next Holiday Season\n---------------------------------------\nIdeally, a few months of belt-tightening, creative fundraising and budgetary discipline will put you back on track financially. Now consider taking a few proactive steps to take the financial pain out of the holidays to come:\n*   **Set aside a few dollars a month for holiday spending.** Even if you save half of what you ultimately spend, you'll be ahead of the game.\n*   **Pay down debt and keep your credit in good shape.** It's far easier to create a post-holiday payoff plan when your credit starts the season in a good place. Don't forget to monitor your credit to protect against holiday (and year-round) identity theft.\n*   **Cultivate good money habits throughout the year.** Stick to a budget, eliminate money wasters, build up your savings—these everyday practices can make the holidays even more festive by creating room for extra spending without ramping up extra stress. END