Why now is the time for a pre-holiday debt audit

(InvestigateTV) — Carrying credit card debt into the holiday season can quickly spiral into a painful “debt hangover” come January. Debt relief attorney Leslie Tayne said now, before the holiday pressure sets in, is the time to review budgets for the upcoming season.Tayne said that includes planning for Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, Christmas and Kwanzaa.“At this time you should be gathering your lists, thinking about who you’re giving gifts to and how you’re going to be paying for those,” Tayne said. “If there’s sales on items you’re going to be purchasing, now is the time to be taking advantage of those. Start looking for coupons and other opportunities, like Black Friday sales that might be coming up.”Tayne said planning ahead is key to staying on budget, and smart online shopping can make a real difference. For big-ticket items like toys or electronics, she recommends checking prices across multiple retailers now.“It’s an opportunity to think now: What does this item cost? Will this part