Now Is the Best Time to Make These 6 Financial Moves (You'll Thank Yourself in December)

An office worker smiles as her coworkers gather around and applaud.

December has become the default season for financial planning. It's when many investors review taxes, increase retirement contributions, make charitable gifts and rush to complete other planning before the calendar turns.

But it can also be one of the least effective times to make important financial decisions. Schedules are crowded as deadlines are closing in, while advisers, accountants and attorneys may have limited capacity to support.