7 financial things you can do in the time it takes to cook Christmas dinner

Here are money moves you can make in the time it takes to cook Christmas dinner.

[{"selector":"#anim-0f405a5f-33f0-4de3-a74f-420dae7c6d43","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-0ef4f708-cf07-4799-96f1-e08f0df68a43","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.3333333333333333)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] Learn more

Create a basic budget

[{"selector":"#anim-4583f27a-8778-4d6b-bbfe-597a4f41555b","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-38e2516a-5d89-4102-af0b-8314b3e083ba","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.3333333333333333)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] A basic monthly budget is an important tool no matter your income. Simple budgets help you plan for monthly expenses, set spending limits and reach savings goals. Learn more

Lower a monthly bill

[{"selector":"#anim-c9c72908-e796-4a47-99e8-625941bcaa3c","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-466e3846-404f-4845-9711-c73dd39e4811","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.3333333333333333)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] Federal student loan payments can sometimes be lowered based on your income or other factors. Medium Brush Stroke Learn more

Start an emergency savings fund

[{"selector":"#anim-9aa10774-81f3-45bc-9e1b-6299757a65ab","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-e29de61f-9c39-48da-a399-6f6972859d0f","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.3333333333333333)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] Everyone should have an emergency savings fund to bail themselves out when things go wrong. Learn more

Check your credit report

[{"selector":"#anim-02512772-7fea-46c5-8dfd-e477cdc718a7","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-3537bf1e-221c-4860-8340-f657b6d7ee33","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.3333333333333333)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] The information in your credit report determines your credit score and affects your ability to qualify for financial products and lower interest rates. Medium Brush Stroke Learn more

SWIPE UP NOW TO READ MORE!

[{"selector":"#anim-df636b32-89c9-481e-a5c0-1f90cdb1c8c4","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-4bf5612d-2a9b-48f5-aebf-a0ae944a342e","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.3333333333333333)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] Learn more

Finding a financial advisor doesn’t have to be hard. SmartAsset’s free quiz matches you with fiduciary financial advisors in your area or who serve your area. If you are ready to be matched with financial advisors that can help you achieve your financial goals, take the quiz now.