Get Your Budget Back On Track After Overspending With These 5 Steps

The holidays are the giving season and that's fine with me. That's what I like to do. There's something about watching someone's face light up when receiving the perfect gift. And...sometimes I can overdo it on the gift-giving. I'm sure I'm not the only one. After all, the holidays only come once a year.

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However, when January hits, many of us get slapped with those holiday bills. Fear not, the pros at NerdWallet might have the secrets to rebounding and getting us back on financial track. They've listed out some tips that could help bounce your budget back. See if you can recoup some expenses by putting some of these into play.

LOOK: GET YOUR BUDGET BACK ON TRACK AFTER OVERSPENDING WITH THESE 5 STEPS

Know Where Your Finances Stand

Don't ignore those bills. They're not going anywhere. Look at everything, including credit card statements. You'll want to make at least the minimum payment. Then, any extra income should be applied to the cards with higher interest rates. Staying positive and not losing sight of your goal is key.

Set Limits on Your Spending

It may be best to put the credit card away for awhile. The experts recommend sticking to carrying cash. Cash is harder to part with, so you may feel less likely to spend.

Redeem and Return What You Can

This may be a good time to use those cash-back points. That's what I do. They can really help knock a chunk off the credit card balance. You can also exchange or return any gifts you didn't plan on keeping. Don't let them sit around too long or you'll miss the return window.

There's Nothing Wrong With an Allowance

It's just not realistic to cut off all spending entirely. However, be very mindful of what you spend. Think of it as an allowance instead of a budget.

Challenge Yourself to Save

I try to do this, and it does help. Make a game out of saving money. Try putting a weekly deposit into a savings account and gradually increase the amount you deposit every week. You'll see your cash build up quicker than you'd think.

I enjoy the holidays as much as the next person, but if you're not careful, January's bills can hit like a brick. Especially after as much as I've spent this year. The steps above are easy to implement, effective, and completely free. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays.

You better believe it's easy to bust the bank. Thank goodness there are cool things to do in Abilene when you're on a budget. Look below and you'll see what I mean.