I know you don't want to hear this, but Christmas Eve is four months from today. And thanksgiving is only three months away.

I'm sure people are focused on enjoying the last bit of summer and dealing with back to school, so we'll keep this month's Christmas countdown really short:

• Keep saving toward your holiday budget.
• Keep updating your Christmas card list. (Fewer people seem to move in the fall, but there are weddings and births and deaths.
• Decide where you will celebrate the holidays. If you are traveling, make your reservations as soon as possible.
• If you plan to do any entertaining during the holidays, choose your dates and let people know. Holiday schedules fill up fast, so it's good to make your plans early.

That's all for this month. See, I told you it would be easy. Of course, once October rolls around, things will get busier!