October is Financial Planning Month, and with the New Year right around the corner, now is a great time to make sure you are on track to meet your short- and long-term financial goals.

Here are three tips to keep your spending in check and finish the year out strong:

1. Don’t transfer money from your savings account to your checking account unless
it’s an emergency. If you find yourself doing this often, consider having a checking
and savings account at two different financial institutions. It takes longer for the transfer to
go through and the extra barrier can help you avoid unnecessary purchases.

If you feel like you’ve been struggling to keep up with car payments, you’re not alone: According to a recent report from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, over 7 million Americans are at least 90 days behind on their auto loans.