The holidays are over - but the debt isn't - especially if you used your credit cards to finance your holiday purchases. As the credit card statements start arriving in the mail over the next few days, here are some tips on how to tackle your holiday debt.

1. Figure out exactly how much debt you have:
Tally up all of the balances on your credit card statements and know the interest rate on each card. Especially during the holiday season where you might swipe your credit cards on gifts and purchases on a daily basis, it's tough to remember how much you spent on each credit card you have.

2. Negotiate the interest rate:
What makes debt so expensive is the interest rates. The next step is to contact your credit card companies and ask them to lower the interest rate on the cards - it's as simple as that. Ask to speak to a supervisor if necessary.

3. Balance transfer cards:
Your other option is to transfer the debt on your current credit card to another credit card that has a lower interest rate. These cards are generally called balance transfer cards and they have a low interest rate of about 0 to 5% for a short period of time, usually six months. These cards will save you money in interest and buy you some time to be able to gather the money to pay off that debt.

4. Pay more than the minimum payment:
On your credit card statement, you'll be asked to pay a minimum payment. The key is to pay more than the minimum payment. For example, if you have $1,000 in credit card debt with an interest rate of around 20%, it'll take you about 10 years to pay off the debt if you only pay the minimum payment. But if you double that minimum payment each month, and in this case that only means paying an extra $25 per month, it'll take you about two years to pay off the debt. Even if you can only pay an extra $10 or $20 each month, do so!

5. Pay off the card with the highest interest rate first!
Chances are the card with the highest interest rate is costing you the most money, so you want to pay off its balance as soon as possible. Once this card is paid off, whatever amount you were paying on that first card, direct that amount to the card with the second highest interest rate. Keep doing this until all of your cards are paid off.

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Believe it or not, tax-filing season is right around the corner. To get a speedier refund you should as early as possible. Here are four things you can do now to get ready:

1. Think about any life changes you had in 2012 and how these may affect your tax return. Many common events, such as having a baby or buying a home, can trigger tax credits or deductions. Start planning for your income tax return by putting together an action timeline and to-do list.
2. Choose a professional tax preparer if you need help completing your return. You'll want someone who has been around for awhile and who will be around later. If you don't already have a tax preparer, ask friends and family for a referral.
3. Start now gathering documents you'll need to complete your return. Keep in mind your W-2 and 1099 forms won't be available until the end of January but there are other documents that will prove helpful, like a copy of last year's tax return. If you have a part-time business you can begin now to organize and gather receipts.
4. Create a plan with your tax preparer that includes a list of things to do to get your taxes done this year. Start a shoebox for your tax documents, review your year for life changes and put a target date on the calendar to file.

Significant Season
The combination of expiring tax laws and tax policy changes, possible renewed retroactive provisions and last- minute legislative action calls for taxpayers to be extra careful when managing their taxes in order to ensure that there is no money left on the table.

Keep an eye out for late year legislative changes that can impact your future taxes. For example, Extender Provisions, which include the deductions for state and local sales tax, the mortgage insurance premium, deductions for out-of-pocket classroom expenses for teachers, deductions for college tuition and fees, as well as the $500 credit for making energy-efficient home improvements, could all be on the table. That means paying attention to the news out of Washington. What happens there could affect you tax-wise in the coming years.

What you need to know about estate planning, including why you may need a will and assigning a power of attorney.

1. No matter your net worth, it's important to have a basic estate plan in place. Such a plan ensures that your family and financial goals are met after you die.

2. An estate plan has several elements. They include: a will; assignment of power of attorney; and a living will or health-care proxy (medical power of attorney). For some people, a trust may also make sense. When putting together a plan, you must be mindful of both federal and state laws governing estates.

3. Taking inventory of your assets is a good place to start. Your assets include your investments, retirement savings, insurance policies, and real estate or business interests. Ask yourself three questions: Whom do you want to inherit your assets? Whom do you want handling your financial affairs if you're ever incapacitated? Whom do you want making medical decisions for you if you become unable to make them for yourself?

4. Everybody needs a will. A will tells the world exactly where you want your assets distributed when you die. It's also the best place to name guardians for your children. Dying without a will -- also known as dying "intestate" -- can be costly to your heirs and leaves you no say over who gets your assets. Even if you have a trust, you still need a will to take care of any holdings outside of that trust when you die.

5. Trusts aren't just for the wealthy. Trusts are legal mechanisms that let you put conditions on how and when your assets will be distributed upon your death. They also allow you to reduce your estate and gift taxes and to distribute assets to your heirs without the cost, delay and publicity of probate court, which administers wills. Some also offer greater protection of your assets from creditors and lawsuits.

6. Discussing your estate plans with your heirs may prevent disputes or confusion. Inheritance can be a loaded issue. By being clear about your intentions, you help dispel potential conflicts after you're gone.

7. The federal estate tax exemption -- the amount you may leave to heirs free of federal tax -- changes regularly. In 2012, estates under $5 million are exempt from the tax. Amounts above that are taxed up to a top rate of 35 percent. In 2013, barring congressional action, the exemption level falls to $1 million, and the top rate jumps to 55 percent.

8. You may leave an unlimited amount of money to your spouse tax-free, but this isn't always the best tactic. By leaving all your assets to your spouse, you don't use your estate tax exemption and instead increase your surviving spouse's taxable estate. That means your children are likely to pay more in estate taxes if your spouse leaves them the money when he or she dies. Plus, it defers the tough decisions about the distribution of your assets until your spouse's death.

9. There are two easy ways to give gifts tax-free and reduce your estate. You may give up to $13,000 a year to an individual (or $26,000 if you're married and giving the gift with your spouse). You may also pay an unlimited amount of medical and education bills for someone if you pay the expenses directly to the institutions where they were incurred.

10. There are ways to give charitable gifts that keep on giving. If you donate to a charitable gift fund or community foundation, your investment grows tax-free and you can select the charities to which contributions are given both before and after you die.

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