You’ve worked hard all year. Now it should be time to take a break and enjoy the holidays. Yet so often the opposite occurs because work tasks do not disappear as personal activities consume more time. Combine both work and extra personal time without a plan, and you have stress.

One more thing to be careful about is avoiding a financial situation that may pile on even more stress. According to Diane McCurdy, author of How Much Is Enough? Balancing Today’s Needs with Tomorrow’s Retirement Goals,” the typical American is now spending 130 percent of disposable income during this end-of-year holiday season.

When you begin a new year with a financial drain on your budget, creating stress, it is hard to feel energized and motivated to tackle new tasks. If you do find yourself in this situation, use the experience to chart a different course for next year.

The New Year often ties in with a “Get Organized” resolution for many people. Part of getting organized can be to set up a plan for the year that helps you prioritize your needs and stay focused on your goals. As you strategize for the upcoming months, be sure you include a budget in your planning for a productive upcoming year.